SHIELD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR VESSEL

• US 3,744,660 A
• Filed: 12/30/1970
• Issued: 07/10/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert L. Gaines, Gennaro V. Notari
• Original Assignee: Albert L. Gaines, Gennaro V. Notari
• Inventors: Notari, Gennaro V., Gaines, Albert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Summer, Leonard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garrett, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/102,800
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3,71,83,5,10,5A,12 23/296 176/38,87
• US Class Current: 220/582
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 13/087 Metallic vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 9/001 against explosions, e.g. blast shields
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 9/004 Pressure suppression
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A protective shield for a nuclear reactor vessel is disclosed that is operative to reduce the impact strength of high pressure fluid released as a result of a reactor accident and also to prevent the expulsion of high velocity fragments from the vessel. The shield is constructed of a plurality of independent cylindrical rings that are axialy secured by tie rods. The tie rods are adapted to expand in the event of an inordinate buildup of pressure behind the shield whereby the rings can be displaced to create narrow openings through which the fluid can be released at a reduced rate.

Claims

1. In combination, a generally cylindrical pressure vessel for containing a fluid under pressure and having a wall thickness to provide sufficient structural strength to withstand the highest expected pressure of said fluid and a protective shield enclosing said vessel, said shield comprising:

a. a plurality of cylindrical members concentrically disposed with respect to said vessel in stacked end-to-end relation and in radially spaced relation to said vessel, b. longitudinally extending tie means for imparting a compressive loading upon said cylindrical members and disposing them in mutually contiguous relation when said pressure vessel is intact, c. said cylindrical members and said tie means being free from exposure to stresses imposed by the fluid contained in said vessel when the same is intact, and d. said tie means being of insufficient structural strength to withstand the pressure of the fluid within said vessel and being expandable in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical members upon rupture of said pressure vessel in an amount to provide spaces between said cylindrical members for the release of liberated fluid.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical members comprise discrete members defining a generally cylindrical body enclosing said vessel at least along a substantial portion of its axis.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein said cylindrical members are formed of hollow, open cylinders having a wall thickness less than that of said pressure vessel.

4. The combination as recited in claim 2 including a pair of axially spaced members concentrically disposed about said vessel adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said members bearing annular flanges attaching the ends of said tie means, at least one of said members engaging said rings for imparting a compressive load thereon upon tensioning said tie means.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein said tie means comprise a plurality of tie rods circumferentially spaced about said flanges.

6. The combination as recited in claim 5 wherein one of said flange-bearing members is a dome shaped cover enclosing the lower end of said vessel and including an upper surface engaging the lowermost ring member.

7. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said pressure vessel includes an annular flange integrally formed adjacent the upper end thereof, said flange compressively engaging the uppermost cylindrical member.

8. The combination as recited in claim 7 wherein one of said flange bearing members is a generally cylindrical locking collar compressively engaging said pressure vessel flange, a dome shaped closure cover enclosing the upper end of said pressure vessel, and shear block means cooperating with said locking collar for securing said closure cover in assembled relation with said pressure vessel.