US 11,990,248 B2
Robust nuclear propulsion fission reactor with tri-pitch patterned core and drum absorbers
Craig D. Gramlich, Forest, VA (US); Benjamin D. Fisher, Lynchburg, VA (US); and William E. Russell, II, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Assigned to BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed by BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed on Aug. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/999,244.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/893,263, filed on Aug. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0304909 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B64G 1/40 (2006.01); G21C 3/04 (2006.01); G21C 17/10 (2006.01); G21C 19/30 (2006.01); B64G 1/42 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 17/102 (2013.01) [G21C 3/04 (2013.01); G21C 19/30 (2013.01); B64G 1/408 (2013.01); B64G 1/422 (2013.01)] 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure, comprising:
an active core region including a plurality of fuel element structures and having an axial centerline defining a longitudinal axis of the nuclear propulsion reactor;
a core former radially outward of the active core region;
a reflector radially outward of the core former and having a radially inner surface oriented toward the active core region; and
a plurality of neutron absorber structures located within a volume of the reflector,
wherein each fuel element structure includes a cladding body having an inner surface defining a coolant channel, a fuel composition body radially outward of and surrounding the cladding body, and a moderator composition body radially outward of and surrounding the fuel composition body,
wherein an outer surface of a moderator composition body of a first fuel element structure abuts an outer surface of a moderator composition body of a plurality of nearest neighbor fuel element structures,
wherein the core former has a first surface radially inward of a second surface and the first surface is conformal to a radially outer surface of the active core region and the second surface is conformal to the radially inner surface of the reflector, and
wherein each of the plurality of neutron absorber structures includes a neutron absorber body movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being radially closer to the active core region than the second position.