US 12,272,464 B2
Lower end replacement of a sleeve that lines a CRDM nozzle in a nuclear reactor
Ryan Melcher, Lynchburg, VA (US); Joseph Gallagher Baier, Lynchburg, VA (US); and James Andrew Spencer, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Assigned to Framatome Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Appl. No. 17/628,501
Filed by Framatome Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 22, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/042805
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 19, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/015732, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0254529 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. G21C 13/036 (2006.01); G21C 17/017 (2006.01); G21C 19/20 (2006.01); G21C 7/12 (2006.01); G21C 13/032 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 13/036 (2013.01) [G21C 17/017 (2013.01); G21C 19/207 (2013.01); G21C 7/12 (2013.01); G21C 13/032 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control rod drive mechanism thermal sleeve assembly for insertion into a control rod drive mechanism nozzle of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, the control rod drive mechanism thermal sleeve assembly comprising:
a first sleeve including:
a radially variable end configured for being deformed between a radially contracted configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the radially variable end configured for retaining the sleeve in the control rod drive mechanism nozzle in the radially expanded configuration; and
a further end opposite of the radially variable end, the further end including a funnel having a frustoconical portion having a maximum diameter edge defining an end edge of the further end; and
a second sleeve configured for being deformed between an installation configuration and a retention configuration,
wherein in the retention configuration, the second sleeve is configured for retaining the first sleeve in the radially expanded configuration,
wherein in the installation configuration, the second sleeve is configured for insertion into the first sleeve,
wherein when the second sleeve retains the first sleeve in the radially expanded configuration, the first sleeve and the second sleeve are intermeshed.