EP-4736191-A1 - TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT PENETRATING A PRESSURIZED VESSEL

Abstract

Disclosed is a nuclear reactor, comprising: a canister, a nuclear reactor core housed inside of the canister, and a controlled temperature housing attached to the canister. The nuclear reactor core comprises a control drum and a shaft extending from the control drum and out of the nuclear reactor core. Heat generated by the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing. The controlled temperature housing comprises a proximal end attached to the canister, a first internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end, a second internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the first internal plate, and a motor mounted to the second internal plate. The shaft enters the controlled temperature housing through the proximal end and extends to the motor. The controlled temperature housing is to passively maintain the motor at a temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold.

Inventors

• SCHRUM, PHILLIP B.
• VEROSKY, MARK A.
• YOUNG, JASON S.

Assignees

• Westinghouse Electric Company Llc

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240701

Claims (20)

1. 1. A nuclear reactor, comprising: a canister; a nuclear reactor core housed inside of the canister, the nuclear reactor core comprising: a control drum; and a shaft extending from the control drum and out of the nuclear reactor core; and a controlled temperature housing attached to the canister, wherein heat generated by the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing, and wherein the controlled temperature housing comprises: a proximal end attached to the canister; a first internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end; a second internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the first internal plate; and a motor mounted to the second internal plate, wherein the shaft enters the controlled temperature housing through the proximal end and extends to the motor, wherein the motor is operably coupled to the shaft, and wherein the controlled temperature housing is to passively maintain the motor at a temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold.
2. 2. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the controlled temperature housing defines an internal space, wherein the first internal plate spans across the internal space, and wherein the second internal plate spans across the internal space.
3. 3. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein a coupling interface is added where the first internal plate meets an exterior wall of the controlled temperature housing and where the second internal plate meets the exterior wall of the controlled temperature housing.
4. 4. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the controlled temperature housing comprises a multi-layer insulation positioned against internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity.
5. 5. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the controlled temperature housing comprises a coating applied to internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity.
6. 6. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1 , wherein the controlled temperature housing further comprises: a base plate located at the proximal end, wherein the base plate is attached to the nuclear reactor; and a support member extending from the base plate to the second internal plate, wherein the support member is to support and attach the first internal plate and the second internal plate to the base plate.
7. 7. The nuclear reactor of Claim 6, wherein the controlled temperature housing further comprises an external housing surrounding the first internal plate and the second internal plate, wherein a first gap is defined between the first internal plate and the external housing, and wherein a second gap is defined between the second internal plate and the external housing.
8. 8. The nuclear reactor of Claim 7, wherein the external housing is removable.
9. 9. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1 , wherein the proximal end defines a first hole, wherein the first internal plate defines a second hole aligned with the first hole, and wherein the shaft extends through the first hole and the second hole.
10. 10. The nuclear reactor of Claim 9, wherein the shaft extends through a seal before exiting the nuclear reactor core.
11. 11. The nuclear reactor of Claim 10, wherein the canister maintains a working fluid at a first pressure, wherein the controlled temperature housing maintains the working fluid at a second pressure, and wherein in an equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor the first pressure is equal to the second pressure.
12. 12. The nuclear reactor of Claim 11 , wherein in a non-equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor defined by the first pressure being greater than the second pressure, the working fluid in the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing until the equilibrium state is reached.
13. 13. The nuclear reactor of Claim 11 , wherein in a non-equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor defined by the first pressure being less than the second pressure, the working fluid in the controlled temperature housing enters the nuclear reactor core until the equilibrium state is reached.
14. 14. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the controlled temperature housing is an annular housing.
15. 15. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature threshold is 250 Fahrenheit.
16. 16. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises: a shaft thermal break; a proximal shaft comprising a distal end coupled to the shaft thermal break; and a distal shaft comprising a proximal end coupled to the shaft thermal break.
17. 17. The nuclear reactor of Claim 1, wherein the controlled temperature housing is one of a plurality of control temperature housings attached to the canister.
18. 18. A controlled temperature housing for temperature sensitive equipment, wherein the controlled temperature housing is attached to a container housing a heat generation source, wherein heat generated by the heat generation source enters the controlled temperature housing from the container, and wherein the controlled temperature housing comprises: a proximal end attached to the container; a thermal shield plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end; and a temperature sensitive equipment mounting plate spaced from and positioned distal to the thermal shield plate, wherein a temperature sensitive device is mounted on a distal side of the temperature sensitive equipment mounting plate, and wherein the controlled temperature housing is to passively cool the heat from the container to maintain a temperature at the temperature sensitive device equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold.
19. 19. The controlled temperature housing of Claim 18, wherein a shaft extends from the temperature sensitive equipment and into the container.
20. 20. A pressurized high temperature device, comprising: a container housing a heat generation source; a controlled temperature housing attached to the container, wherein heat generated by the heat generation source enters the controlled temperature housing, and wherein the controlled temperature housing comprises: a proximal end attached to the container; a thermal shield plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end; a temperature sensitive equipment mounting plate spaced from and positioned distal to the thermal shield plate; and a temperature sensitive device mounted to the temperature sensitive equipment mounting plate, wherein the temperature sensitive device is coupled to another device in the container through a hole that extends through the proximal end of the controlled temperature housing and into the container, and wherein the controlled temperature housing is to passively cool the heat to maintain a temperature at the temperature sensitive device equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold; and a pressurized working fluid, wherein the container maintains the pressurized working fluid at a first pressure, wherein the controlled temperature housing maintains the pressurized working fluid at a second pressure, and wherein in an equilibrium state the first pressure is equal to the second pressure.

Description

TITLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT PENETRATING A PRESSURIZED VESSEL CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/346,132 filed June 30, 2023, entitled “TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT PENETRATING A PRESSURIZED VESSEL,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure relates to small module reactors and nuclear micro-reactors, or any other enclosed high temperature system, and the temperature sensitive equipment inside them. SUMMARY [0003] In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a nuclear reactor. The nuclear reactor comprises a canister and a nuclear reactor core housed inside of the canister. The nuclear reactor core comprises a control drum and a shaft extending from the control drum and out of the nuclear reactor core. The nuclear reactor further comprises a controlled temperature housing attached to the canister, wherein heat generated by the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing. The controlled temperature housing comprises a proximal end attached to the canister, a first internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end, a second internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the first internal plate, and a motor mounted to the second internal plate. The shaft enters the controlled temperature housing through the proximal end and extends to the motor. The motor is operably coupled to the shaft. The controlled temperature housing is to passively maintain the motor at a temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold. [0004] In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing defines an internal space, wherein the first internal plate spans across the internal space, and wherein the second internal plate spans across the internal space. [0005] In at least one aspect, a coupling interface is added where the first internal plate meets an exterior wall of the controlled temperature housing and where the second internal plate meets the exterior wall of the controlled temperature housing. [0006] In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing comprises a multi-layer insulation positioned against internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity. [0007] In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing comprises a coating applied to internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity. [0008] In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing further comprises: a base plate located at the proximal end, wherein the base plate is attached to the nuclear reactor; and a support member extending from the base plate to the second internal plate, wherein the support member is to support and attach the first internal plate and the second internal plate to the base plate. In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing further comprises an external housing surrounding the first internal plate and the second internal plate, wherein a first gap is defined between the first internal plate and the external housing, and wherein a second gap is defined between the second internal plate and the external housing. In at least one aspect, the external housing is removable. [0009] In at least one aspect, the proximal end defines a first hole, wherein the first internal plate defines a second hole aligned with the first hole, and wherein the shaft extends through the first hole and the second hole. In at least one aspect, the shaft extends through a seal before exiting the nuclear reactor core. In at least one aspect, the canister maintains a working fluid at a first pressure, wherein the controlled temperature housing maintains the working fluid at a second pressure, and wherein in an equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor the first pressure is equal to the second pressure. In at least one aspect, in a non-equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor defined by the first pressure being greater than the second pressure, the pressurized gas in the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing until the equilibrium state is reached. In at least one aspect, in a non-equilibrium state of the nuclear reactor defined by the first pressure being less than the second pressure, the pressurized gas in the controlled temperature housing enters the nuclear reactor core until the equilibrium state is reached. [0010] In at least one aspect, the controlled temperature housing is an annular housing. [0011] In at least one aspect, the predetermined temperature threshold is 250 Fahrenheit. [0012] In at least one aspect, the shaft comprises a shaft thermal break, a proximal shaft comprising a distal end coupled to the shaft thermal break, and a distal shaft comprising a proximal end coupled to the shaft thermal break. [0013] In at