US 12,293,846 B2
Control rod remote disconnect mechanism
Scott J. Shargots, Forest, VA (US); Ryan Z. Ziegler, Forest, VA (US); Jason C. Brown, Lynchburg, VA (US); David K. Haslet, Lynchburg, VA (US); and Emily D. Fleming, Forest, VA (US)
Assigned to BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed by BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/977,748.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/273,687, filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0137322 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 7/12 (2006.01); G21C 7/117 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 7/12 (2013.01) [G21C 7/117 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control rod drive mechanism comprising:
a torque tube with an inner surface defining a central bore;
a control rod assembly including a connecting rod disposed within the central bore of the torque tube and a spider, the connecting rod being releasably securable to the spider;
a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a bottom end of the connecting rod, the lock cam assembly including a body portion and at least one locking cam extending radially-outwardly therefrom; and
a locking collar disposed non-rotatably within the spider, the locking collar including an inner surface defining a central bore and at least one locking recess therein, the locking recess including an entry slot extending downwardly from a top edge of the locking collar;
wherein the connecting rod is axially-movable with respect to the torque tube between a first position in which the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second position in which the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.