US 12,217,878 B2
Heat pipe networks for heat removal, such as heat removal from nuclear reactors, and associated systems and methods
Frederick Botha, Corvallis, OR (US); Jackson Keppen, Corvallis, OR (US); and Azat Yumadilovich Galimov, Albany, OR (US)
Filed by NuScale Power, LLC, Portland, OR (US)
Filed on Jun. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/329,335.
Application 18/329,335 is a division of application No. 17/071,838, filed on Oct. 15, 2020, granted, now 11,728,053.
Prior Publication US 2023/0317306 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 15/257 (2006.01); F28D 15/02 (2006.01); G21C 15/18 (2006.01); F28D 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 15/257 (2013.01) [F28D 15/0275 (2013.01); G21C 15/182 (2013.01); F28D 2021/0054 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a nuclear reactor component, the method comprising:
positioning a heat pipe in a pressure vessel, wherein the heat pipe includes an evaporator region and a condenser region;
providing a powdered nuclear fuel material on the evaporator region of the heat pipe prior to positioning the heat pipe in the pressure vessel; and
increasing a pressure and a temperature in the pressure vessel to solidify the nuclear fuel material and directly attach the nuclear fuel material to the heat pipe,
wherein the heat pipe defines a flow path having an increasing cross-sectional flow area in a direction from the evaporator region toward the condenser region, and the flow path includes a first portion, a pair of second portions branching from the first portion, a pair of third portions branching from each of the second portions, and a pair of fourth portions branching from each of the third portions.