US 11,742,098 B2
Nuclear reactor core support system providing radial and axial support
Yuriy Aleshin, Cayce, SC (US); and Stuart Kellner, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/156,977.
Prior Publication US 2022/0238241 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. G21C 5/10 (2006.01); G21C 5/08 (2006.01); G21C 11/06 (2006.01); G21C 7/28 (2006.01); G21C 15/257 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 5/10 (2013.01) [G21C 5/08 (2013.01); G21C 7/28 (2013.01); G21C 11/06 (2013.01); G21C 15/257 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A nuclear reactor, comprising:
a reactor core;
a canister to contain and seal the reactor core within the canister;
a radial reflector disposed within the canister;
a support beam disposed between an inner wall of the canister and the radial reflector, wherein the support beam extends axially along a length of the reactor core; and
a core mechanical support system configured to mount to the canister, wherein the core mechanical support system comprises:
an axial core mechanical support system to support the reactor core in an axial direction; and
a radial core mechanical support system to support the reactor core in a radial direction, wherein the radial core mechanical support system comprises a radial support bracket configured to interface with the support beam, and wherein the radial support bracket comprises:
a housing;
a spring disposed internally within the housing;
a shaft slidingly disposed at least partially within the housing and to engage the spring to compress and decompress the spring as at least a portion of the shaft travels in and out of the housing, the shaft further comprising an inset configured to interface with the support beam;
a shaft travel pin to control the travel of the shaft; and
a flange to mount the radial support bracket to the canister.