US 11,721,445 B2
Replacement thermal sleeve for a reactor vessel closure head penetration adapter of control rod drive mechanism
Eric M. Benacquista, Pittsburgh, PA (US); Anthony J. Mastopietro, Wauwatosa, WI (US); Bryan M. Wilson, Cranberry Township, PA (US); and Nicholas A. Szweda, Seven Fields, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/55,115.
Application 18/055,115 is a continuation of application No. 17/047,319, granted, now 11,501,887, previously published as PCT/US2019/015797, filed on Jan. 30, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/629,339, filed on Feb. 12, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0074289 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 13/036 (2006.01); G21C 13/067 (2006.01); G21C 13/032 (2006.01); G21C 19/20 (2006.01); G21C 15/00 (2006.01); G21C 19/00 (2006.01); G21C 7/12 (2006.01); G21C 15/12 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 13/036 (2013.01) [G21C 13/032 (2013.01); G21C 13/067 (2013.01); G21C 19/207 (2013.01); G21C 7/12 (2013.01); G21C 15/00 (2013.01); G21C 15/12 (2013.01); G21C 19/00 (2013.01); G21C 19/20 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A replacement thermal sleeve system comprising:
a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) comprising a head penetration adaptor, wherein the head penetration adaptor comprises a shaft defining an entrance region, an exit region, and an inner diameter;
a replacement thermal sleeve configured to replace an existing thermal sleeve of the CRDM, wherein the replacement thermal sleeve comprises:
a base defining a central longitudinal axis extending through the base; and
leaves extending from the base and slots defined between the leaves, wherein the leaves are disposed about the central longitudinal axis, wherein each one of the leaves comprises a curved surface, and wherein the leaves are configurable in:
a first configuration, wherein the leaves define a first diameter; and
a second configuration, wherein the leaves are flexed toward the central longitudinal axis and define a second diameter that is less than the first diameter and the inner diameter of the shaft; and
a retainer configured to engage the curved surfaces to maintain the leaves in the second configuration prior to the replacement thermal sleeve entering the head penetration adaptor, and wherein the retainer is configured to release the leaves and allow the leaves to transition toward the first configuration,
wherein the retainer is configured to maintain the leaves in the second configuration as the replacement thermal sleeve is moved inside the head penetration adaptor toward an operational position, and
wherein the retainer is configured to allow release of the leaves with the replacement thermal sleeve at the operational position.