ACTUATING ELEMENT OF NUCLEAR-REACTOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION SYSTEM Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear reactors.

SUBSTANCE: actuating element has vertically mounted dry box holding central and peripheral sleeves. The latter accommodate neutron absorbers movable through height and entered in core at bottom. Central sleeve accommodates servo-drive and flexible-link hanger hinged to neutron absorbers with aid of brackets passed through slits between peripheral sleeves and central one. Actuating element has in addition separate (isolated) neutron absorbers disposed in peripheral sleeves and electromagnetic latches holding these absorbers in position above core in absence of emergency signal and releasing them for falling by gravity upon arrival of such signal. Each separate neutron absorber is made in the form of chain of hinged rods for covering core throughout its entire height. Separate absorbers are actuated for driving them out of core up to locking in extreme upper position by latches with aid of absorber displacement means entered in core at bottom. Proposed actuating element functions to introduce negative reactivity to shut down the reactor upon occurrence of emergency situations and to attain maximum of negative reactivity introduced in the process and reactor subcriticality upon its shutdown. When used in type RBMK reactor, it provides for organizing two practically independent control and protection subsystems, each being capable of not only shutting reactor down but also holding it in subcritical condition for arbitrarily long time.

EFFECT: enhanced reliability of actuating element.

3 cl, 2 dwg