Reactor core and thermal neutron fission reactor has fuel rods with a composite fuel composition (each having the same uniform cross-section along their axial length), end plates at first and second ends, and intermediate support plates located along a longitudinal length of the reactor core. In a radial cross-section, the fuel rods are arranged at nodes of a hexagonal pitch arrangement, in which the nodes are in a spaced-apart arrangement and interconnected by ligaments. Openings between the nodes form part of a coolant flow path through the thermal neutron reactor core. At least two of the nodes of the hexagonal pitch arrangement are sized to allow insertion, translation, removal, or a combination thereof of auxiliary equipment, such as a target delivery system (TDS) for isotopes. Thermal neutron flux (neutrons ≤0.06 eV) is maximized for maximum neutron activation potential, which is applied to produce both commercial and research isotopes.
G21C 5/02 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator - Details
G21C 5/06 - Means for locating or supporting fuel elements
G21C 5/10 - Means for supporting the complete structure
G21C 23/00 - Adaptations of reactors to facilitate experimentation or irradiation
G21G 1/02 - Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation, or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes in nuclear reactors
2.
FUNCTIONALLY GRADED LATTICE CERMET FUEL STRUCTURE WITH SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO A MATHEMATICALLY-BASED PERIODIC SOLID, PARTICULARLY FOR NUCLEAR THERMAL PROPULSION APPLICATIONS
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
G21C 3/42 - Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel
3.
FUNCTIONALLY GRADED LATTICE CERMET FUEL STRUCTURE WITH SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO A MATHEMATICALLY-BASED PERIODIC SOLID, PARTICULARLY FOR NUCLEAR THERMAL PROPULSION APPLICATIONS
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
G21C 3/42 - Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel
4.
HEAT PIPE FUEL ELEMENT AND FISSION REACTOR INCORPORATING SAME, PARTICULARLY HAVING PHYLLOTAXIS SPACING PATTERN OF HEAT PIPE FUEL ELEMENTS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
A heat pipe fuel element includes an evaporation section, a condensing section, a capillary section connecting the evaporation section to the condensing section, and a primary coolant. In a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the evaporation section, the heat pipe fuel element includes a cladding layer enclosing an interior area including a fuel body formed of a fissionable fuel composition and that has an outer surface oriented toward the cladding layer and an inner surface defining a periphery of a vaporization space of the evaporation section. The fuel body has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), and the evaporation sections of a plurality of heat pipe fuel elements are arranged in a phyllotaxis pattern (as seen in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the active core region).
G21C 3/08 - Casings; Jackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 15/06 - Arrangement or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant, e.g. for coolant circulation through the supports of the fuel elements from fissile or breeder material in fuel elements
F28D 15/04 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes with tubes having a capillary structure
5.
PHOTON PROPAGATION MODIFIED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING SAME
Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au absorbance Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
G21C 3/50 - Suspensions of the active constituent; Slurries
A sterilization system for a radiopharmaceutical product comprising a hot cell disposed within a clean room environment. A sterilization shaft extends between a first end and a second end and defines an interior. The first end of the shaft is disposed within the hot cell and the second end of the shaft is disposed externally to the clean room. An electron beam accelerator assembly is disposed within the interior of the sterilization shaft so that an emission end of the electron beam accelerator is adjacent the first end of the sterilization shaft.
Methods to in-situ monitor production of additive manufacturing products collects images from the deposition process on a layer-by-layer basis, including a void image of the pattern left in a slurry layer after deposition of a layer and a displacement image formed by immersing the just-deposited layer in a renewed slurry layer. Image properties of the void image and displacement image are corrected and then compared to a binary expected image from a computer generated model to identify defects in the just-deposited layer on a layer-by-layer basis. Additional methods use the output from the comparison to form a 3D model corresponding to at least a portion of the additive manufacturing product. Components to control the additive manufacturing operation based on digital model data and to in-situ monitor successive layers for manufacturing defects can be embodied in a computer system or computer-aided machine, such as a computer controlled additive manufacturing machine.
B29C 64/129 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
A method is provided for using a hierarchical polynomial model for physics simulation. The method includes obtaining coupled equations for a physics simulation. The coupled equations have variables and boundary conditions that constrain the variables. The method also includes generating meshes corresponding to the coupled equations. The method iteratively solves for the boundary conditions that depend on the variables within the meshes to convergence to improve numerical stability of the physics simulation, including: (i) solving for each variable in a first mesh, while holding the other meshes to a weak convergence, to obtain a first solution; (ii) applying the first solution to resolve a second mesh, to obtain a second solution; and (iii) generating a hierarchical polynomial based on the second solution. The hierarchical polynomial is a functional form of a pre-determined physics equation. The method also (iv) computes new boundary conditions for resolving the meshes, using the hierarchical polynomial.
Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au≤absorbance≤0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
G21C 3/50 - Suspensions of the active constituent; Slurries
Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material, the interior surface of which is lined in higher temperature regions with an insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material. A continuous insulation layer extends the length of the fuel assembly or separate insulation layer sections have a thickness increasing step-wise along the length of the fuel assembly from upper (inlet) section towards bottom (outlet) section. Fuel element positioned inward of the insulation layer and between support meshes has a fuel composition including HALEU and the form of a plurality of individual elongated fuel bodies or one or more fuel monolith bodies containing coolant flow channels. Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block, with upper end of the outer structural member attached to an inlet for propellant and lower end of the outer structural member operatively interfaced with a nozzle forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
G21C 3/07 - Casings; Jackets characterised by their material, e.g. alloys
G21C 5/12 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator
Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a NTP reactor.
Insulated electrode fixture has an electrically conductive body with a receiving channel configured to receive a workpiece and an insert that is electrically isolated from the electrically conductive body is located on the first side and circumferential to the receiving channel. During welding processes, portions of the surface of the electrode fixture are electrically insulated from contact by a weld upset by the electrically isolated insert. Variations include an electrically isolated insert located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, an insert of a non-conductive material located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, an insert with a coating of a non-conductive material located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, a non-conductive coating on the electrode fixture (except for in areas designated for conducting the weld current during resistance welding), or combinations thereof.
Fuel bundle has plurality of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets arranged in hexagonal packing or circle packing arrangement in a reactor core encased in a multilayer casing. Arrangement of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets is facilitated by rodlet seating fixture with seating surface having a plurality of protrusions that form a receiving space for ends of the twisted ribbon fuel rodlets. Manufacture of the fuel bundle incorporates fiber manufacturing technologies and, optionally, infiltration of spaces in the reactor core by infiltrant. Twisted ribbon fuel rodlet manufacturing system has sub-systems that impart twist periodicity to extruded ribbons, inspect twisted extruded ribbons, and cut twisted extruded ribbons to length. Inspection sorts twisted ribbon fuel rodlets as well as provides feedback to adjust operation of sub-systems. The fuel bundle (and optional fuel bundle support) can be incorporated into a fuel assembly of nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure of, for example, a nuclear thermal propulsion engine.
Fuel bundle has plurality of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets arranged hexagonal packing or circle packing arrangement in a reactor core encased in a multilayer casing. Arrangement of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets is facilitated by rodlet seating fixture with seating surface having a plurality of protrusions that form a receiving space for ends of the twisted ribbon fuel rodlets. Manufacture of the fuel bundle incorporates fiber manufacturing technologies and, optionally, infiltration of spaces in the reactor core by infiltrant. Twisted ribbon fuel rodlet manufacturing system has sub-systems that impart twist periodicity to extruded ribbons, inspect twisted extruded ribbons, and cut twisted extruded ribbons to length. Inspection sorts twisted ribbon fuel rodlets as well as provides feedback to adjust operation of sub-systems. The fuel bundle (and optional fuel bundle support) can be incorporated into a fuel assembly of nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure of, for example, a nuclear thermal propulsion engine.
Fuel bundle has plurality of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets arranged hexagonal packing or circle packing arrangement in a reactor core encased in a multilayer casing. Arrangement of twisted ribbon fuel rodlets is facilitated by rodlet seating fixture with seating surface having a plurality of protrusions that form a receiving space for ends of the twisted ribbon fuel rodlets. Manufacture of the fuel bundle incorporates fiber manufacturing technologies and, optionally, infiltration of spaces in the reactor core by infiltrant. Twisted ribbon fuel rodlet manufacturing system has sub-systems that impart twist periodicity to extruded ribbons, inspect twisted extruded ribbons, and cut twisted extruded ribbons to length. Inspection sorts twisted ribbon fuel rodlets as well as provides feedback to adjust operation of sub-systems. The fuel bundle (and optional fuel bundle support) can be incorporated into a fuel assembly of nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure of, for example, a nuclear thermal propulsion engine.
A method designs nuclear reactors using design variables and metric variables. A user specifies ranges for the design variables and threshold values for the metric variables and selects design parameter samples. For each sample, the method runs three processes, which compute metric variables for thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, and stress. The method applies a cost function to compute an aggregate residual of the metric variables compared to the threshold values. The method deploys optimization methods, either training a machine learning model using the samples and computed aggregate residuals, or using genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, or differential evolution. When using Bayesian optimization, the method shrinks the range for each design variable according to correlation between the respective design variable and estimated residuals using the machine learning model. These steps are repeated until a sample having a smallest residual is unchanged for multiple iterations. The final model assesses relative importance of each design variable.
G06F 30/27 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation using machine learning, e.g. artificial intelligence, neural networks, support vector machines [SVM] or training a model
A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod and a spider, a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a bottom end of the connecting rod and including a locking cam, and a locking collar disposed non-rotatably within the spider, the locking collar including a locking recess with an entry slot, wherein in a first axial position the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second axial position the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.
A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod disposed within the torque tube and including an annular collar defining a key slot, an elongated key that is slidably receivable within the key slot, a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a top end of the connecting rod and including a locking cam, and a holdout collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube, the holdout collar including a locking recess with an entry slot, wherein in a first axial position the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second axial position the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.
A control rod assembly having a connecting rod, a spider, a plurality of control rods, a coupling sleeve secured to the connecting rod and including a body portion defining at least one cam pin, and a barrel cam defining a cam track, the barrel cam being rotatably secured to the spider. The cam track includes a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured so that the barrel cam rotates in a first direction as the at least one cam pin slides along the first and second camming surfaces. The barrel cam rod is rotatable between a first position in which the spider is connected to the connecting rod and a second position in which the spider is disconnected from the connecting rod.
A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube with an inner surface defining a central bore, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod including a cam extending radially-outwardly therefrom and an annular collar defining a key slot, an elongated key that is slidably receivable within the key slot, and a holdout collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube and defining a locking recess, wherein the connecting rod is axially-movable with respect to the torque tube between a first position in which the elongated key is disposed within the key slot so that the connecting rod is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second position in which the elongated key is removed from the key slot and the connecting rod is rotatable with respect to the torque tube.
G21C 7/117 - Clusters of control rods; Spider construction
21.
Functionally graded lattice cermet fuel structure with shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, particularly for nuclear thermal propulsion
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
A method is provided for enhancing image resolution for sequences of 2-D images of additively manufactured products. For each of a plurality of additive manufacturing processes, the process obtains a respective plurality of sequenced low-resolution 2-D images of a respective product during the respective additive manufacturing process and obtains a respective high-resolution 3-D image of the respective product after completion of the respective additive manufacturing process. The process selects tiling maps that subdivide the low-resolution 2-D images and the high-resolution 3-D images into low-resolution tiles and high-resolution tiles, respectively. The process also builds an image enhancement generator iteratively in a generative adversarial network using training inputs that includes ordered pairs of low-resolution and high-resolution tiles. The process stores the image enhancement generator for subsequent use to enhance sequences of low-resolution 2-D images captured for products during additive manufacturing.
Additive manufacturing compositions include low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles that have an absorbance for wavelengths of 300 nm to 700 nm that is equal to or greater than 0 Au and is less 1.0 Au, such as 0.001 Au≤absorbance≤0.7 Au. Slurries including such particles and an uranium-containing particle and that are used in additive manufacturing processes have an increased penetration depth for curative radiation. Removal of low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles during post-processing of as-manufactured products results in pores that create porosity in the as-manufactured product that provide a volume accommodating fission gases and/or can enhance wicking of certain heat pipe coolant liquids. Low-absorbing particles or non-absorbing particles can be functionalized for improved properties, for example, with fissionable material for improved ceramic yields, with burnable poisons or stabilizers for increased homogeneity, with stabilizers for localized delivery of the stabilizer, or with combinations thereof.
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
G21C 3/50 - Suspensions of the active constituent; Slurries
Plurality of layers form a nuclear fission reactor structure, each layer having an inner segment body, an intermediate segment body, and an outer segment body (each segment body separated by an interface). The layers include a plurality of cladding arms having involute curve shapes that spirally radiate outward from a radially inner end to a radially outer end. Chambers in the involute curve shaped cladding arm contain fuel compositions (and/or other materials such as moderators and poisons). The design of the involute curve shaped cladding arms and the composition of the materials conform to neutronic and thermal management requirements for the nuclear fission reactor and are of sufficiently common design and/or have sufficiently few variations as to reduce manufacturing complexity and manufacturing variability.
Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material, the interior surface of which is lined in higher temperature regions with an insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material. Continuous insulation layer extends the length of the fuel assembly or separate insulation layer sections have a thickness increasing step-wise along the length of the fuel assembly from upper (inlet) section towards bottom (outlet) section. A fuel element positioned inward of the insulation layer and between support meshes has a fuel composition including HALEU and the form of a plurality of individual elongated fuel bodies or one or more fuel monolith bodies containing coolant flow channels. Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block, with upper end of the outer structural member attached to an inlet for propellant and lower end of the outer structural member operatively interfaced with a nozzle forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
G21C 3/07 - Casings; Jackets characterised by their material, e.g. alloys
G21C 5/12 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator
Carbide-based fuel assembly includes outer structural member of ceramic matrix composite material (e.g., SiC—SiC composite), insulation layer of porous refractory ceramic material (e.g., zirconium carbide with open-cell foam structure or fibrous zirconium carbide), and interior structural member of refractory ceramic-graphite composite material (e.g., zirconium carbide-graphite or niobium carbide-graphite). Spacer structures between various layers provide a defined and controlled spacing relationship. A fuel element bundle positioned between support meshes includes a plurality of distributively arranged fuel elements or a solid, unitary fuel element with coolant channels, each having a fuel composition including high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU). Fuel assemblies are distributively arranged in a moderator block and the upper end of the outer structural member is attached to a metallic inlet tube for hydrogen propellant and the lower end of the outer structural member is interfaced with a support plate, forming a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor.
A dual shut-off valve including a valve body defining an interior cavity and a flow tube passing therethrough, an outer cylinder including a body portion defining an interior cavity and a through hole passing therethrough, the outer cylinder being rotatably disposed within the interior cavity of the valve body, and an inner cylinder including a body portion defining a through hole passing therethrough, the inner cylinder being rotatably disposed within the interior cavity of the outer cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are both rotatable between a first position in which the through holes of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are aligned with the flow tube and a second position in which the through holes of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are transverse to the flow tube.
F16K 5/04 - Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary with plugs having cylindrical surfaces; Packings therefor
F16K 11/14 - Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves; Arrangement of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluid with two or more closure members not moving as a unit operated by one actuating member, e.g. a handle
28.
Reactor design with controlled thermal neutron flux for enhanced neutron activation potential
Reactor core and thermal neutron fission reactor has fuel rods with a composite fuel composition (each having the same uniform cross-section along their axial length), end plates at first and second ends, and intermediate support plates located along a longitudinal length of the reactor core. In a radial cross-section, the fuel rods are arranged at nodes of a hexagonal pitch arrangement, in which the nodes are in a spaced-apart arrangement and interconnected by ligaments. Openings between the nodes form part of a coolant flow path through the thermal neutron reactor core. At least two of the nodes of the hexagonal pitch arrangement are sized to allow insertion, translation, removal, or a combination thereof of auxiliary equipment, such as a target delivery system (TDS) for isotopes. Thermal neutron flux (neutrons ≤0.06 eV) is maximized for maximum neutron activation potential, which is applied to produce both commercial and research isotopes.
G21C 5/02 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator - Details
G21C 5/06 - Means for locating or supporting fuel elements
G21C 5/10 - Means for supporting the complete structure
G21C 23/00 - Adaptations of reactors to facilitate experimentation or irradiation
G21G 1/02 - Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation, or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes in nuclear reactors
G21C 11/06 - Reflecting shields, i.e. for minimising loss of neutrons
G21C 7/08 - Control of nuclear reaction by application of neutron-absorbing material, i.e. material with absorption cross-section very much in excess of reflection cross-section by displacement of solid control elements, e.g. control rods
G21C 3/16 - Constructional details - Details of the construction within the casing
29.
In-Situ Inspection Method Based on Digital Data Model of Weld
A method inspects weld quality in-situ. The method obtains a plurality of sequenced images of an in-progress welding process and generates a multi-dimensional data input based on the plurality of sequenced images and/or one or more weld process control parameters. The parameters may include: (i) shield gas flow rate, temperature, and pressure; (ii) voltage, amperage, wire feed rate and temperature (if applicable); (iii) part preheat/inter-pass temperature; and (iv) part and weld torch relative velocity). The method generates defect probability and analytics information by applying one or more computer vision techniques on the multi-dimensional data input. The analytics information includes predictive insights on quality features of the in-progress welding process. The method then generates a 3-D visualization of one or more as-welded regions, based on the analytics information, and the plurality of sequenced images. The 3-D visualization displays the quality features for virtual inspection and/or for determining weld quality.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control (DNC), flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), integrated manufacturing systems (IMS), computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
G05B 13/04 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
G21C 17/10 - Structural combination of fuel element, control rod, reactor core, or moderator structure with sensitive instruments, e.g. for measuring radioactivity, strain
G21C 19/30 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor core; Arrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products
31.
OPTIMIZATION OF EXPENSIVE COST FUNCTIONS SUBJECT TO COMPLEX MULTIDIMENSIONAL CONSTRAINTS
A method is used to design nuclear reactors using design variables and metric variables. A user specifies ranges for the design variables and target values for the metric variables. A set of design parameter samples are selected. For each sample, the method runs three processes, which compute metric variables to thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, and stress. The method applies a cost function to each sample to compute an aggregate residual of the metric variables compared to the target values. The method trains a machine learning model using the samples and the computed aggregate residuals. The method shrinks the range for each design variable according to correlation between the respective design variable and estimated residuals using the machine learning model. These steps are repeated until a sample having a smallest residual is unchanged for multiple iterations. The method then uses the final machine learning model to assess relative importance of each design variable.
G06F 30/27 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation using machine learning, e.g. artificial intelligence, neural networks, support vector machines [SVM] or training a model
G06F 30/28 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation using fluid dynamics, e.g. using Navier-Stokes equations or computational fluid dynamics [CFD]
G06N 5/00 - Computing arrangements using knowledge-based models
Plurality of layers form a nuclear fission reactor structure, each layer having an inner segment body, an intermediate segment body, and an outer segment body (each segment body separated by an interface). The layers include a plurality of cladding arms having involute curve shapes that spirally radiate outward from a radially inner end to a radially outer end. Chambers in the involute curve shaped cladding arm contain fuel compositions (and/or other materials such as moderators and poisons). The design of the involute curve shaped cladding arms and the composition of the materials conform to neutronic and thermal management requirements for the nuclear fission reactor and are of sufficiently common design and/or have sufficiently few variations as to reduce manufacturing complexity and manufacturing variability.
Methods to in-situ monitor production of additive manufacturing products collects images from the deposition process on a layer-by-layer basis, including a void image of the pattern left in a slurry layer after deposition of a layer and a displacement image formed by immersing the just-deposited layer in a renewed slurry layer. Image properties of the void image and displacement image are corrected and then compared to a binary expected image from a computer generated model to identify defects in the just-deposited layer on a layer-by-layer basis. Additional methods use the output from the comparison to form a 3D model corresponding to at least a portion of the additive manufacturing product. Components to control the additive manufacturing operation based on digital model data and to in-situ monitor successive layers for manufacturing defects can be embodied in a computer system or computer-aided machine, such as a computer controlled additive manufacturing machine.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B29C 64/129 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
A control drum system for a nuclear reactor including a reactor core, including an ex-core reflector including a plurality of cylindrical apertures, a plurality of control drum assemblies, each control drum assembly including a drive shaft, a drum cylinder affixed to a bottom end of the drive shaft, and a planetary gear attached to a top end of the drive shaft, wherein each drum cylinder is rotatably received in a cylindrical aperture, a first control drum drive motor operably connected to a first control drum assembly, and an annular ring gear that is operably connected to the planetary gear of each of the control drum assemblies so that all the control drum assemblies rotate simultaneously.
F16H 13/06 - Gearing for conveying rotary motion with constant gear ratio by friction between rotary members with members having orbital motion
F16H 3/44 - Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion with variable gear ratio or for reversing rotary motion using gears having orbital motion
G21D 5/02 - Reactor and engine structurally combined, e.g. portable
F16H 1/32 - Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion with gears having orbital motion in which the central axis of the gearing lies inside the periphery of an orbital gear
35.
Rapid digital nuclear reactor design using machine learning
A method designs nuclear reactors using design variables and metric variables. A user specifies ranges for the design variables and threshold values for the metric variables and selects design parameter samples. For each sample, the method runs three processes, which compute metric variables for thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, and stress. The method applies a cost function to compute an aggregate residual of the metric variables compared to the threshold values. The method deploys optimization methods, either training a machine learning model using the samples and computed aggregate residuals, or using genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, or differential evolution. When using Bayesian optimization, the method shrinks the range for each design variable according to correlation between the respective design variable and estimated residuals using the machine learning model. These steps are repeated until a sample having a smallest residual is unchanged for multiple iterations. The final model assesses relative importance of each design variable.
G06F 30/27 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation using machine learning, e.g. artificial intelligence, neural networks, support vector machines [SVM] or training a model
36.
Molten metal fuel buffer in fission reactor and method of manufacture
Fission reactor has a cladding encasing a heat generating source including a fissionable nuclear fuel composition. The heat generating source is offset from the surface of the cladding and molten metal is located within the void space formed by the offset. As a liquid, the molten metal will flow and occupy any contiguous network of void space within the fuel cavity and provides thermal transfer contact between the heat generating source and the cladding. The cladding separates the heat generating source and the molten metal from the primary coolant volume.
A mobile modular reactor, in particular, a graphite-moderated fission reactor, has an active core region and at least a portion of control region(s) that are located within an interior volume of a pressure vessel. Flow annulus features located in the flow annulus between an outer surface of the control rod/fuel rod and an inner surface of the cladding of the channel in which the rod is located stabilizes the flow annulus and maintains a reliable concentricity between the inner and outer claddings that envelope the flow annulus. Flow annulus features are equally circumferentially spaced at longitudinally separated locations and the flow annulus features at successive, longitudinally separated locations are rotationally offset relative to each other. For purposes of transportability, the pressure vessel is sized for mobile transport using a ship, train or truck, for example, by fitting within a shipping container.
A control rod assembly for a nuclear reactor having a reactor core and a pressurized fluid source, including a control rod disposed within a control rod sleeve, a lead screw that is selectively secured to the control rod, a trip latch that is secured to a bottom end of the lead screw, the trip latch being selectively securable to a top end of the control rod, a control rod drive motor that is operably connected to the lead screw, and a valve that is in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source of the nuclear reactor and is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position of the gas valve the trip latch is in an open position.
Functionally graded lattice cermet fuel structure with shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, particularly for nuclear thermal propulsion applications
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.
A control rod drive mechanism for use in a nuclear reactor including a reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel, including a control rod configured for insertion into the reactor core, a lead screw, the control rod being secured to the bottom end of the lead screw, a drive mechanism including a torque tube having a top end and a bottom end, a pair of segment arms that are pivotably mounted to the torque tube, a pair of roller nuts, each roller nut being rotatably secured to the bottom end of a respective segment arm, and a drive motor including a stator and a rotor secured to the top end of the torque tube that includes a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein, wherein the stator defines a central bore in which the rotor is disposed, and a latch coil assembly including a latch coil, wherein the latch coil assembly defines a central bore in which the top ends of the segment arms are disposed radially-inwardly of the latch coil.
Additive manufacturing methods use a surrogate slurry to iteratively develop an additive manufacturing protocol and then substitutes a final slurry composition to then additively manufacture a final component using the developed additive manufacturing protocol. In the nuclear reactor component context, the final slurry composition is a nuclear fuel slurry having a composition: 30-45 vol. % monomer resin, 30-70 vol. % plurality of particles of uranium-containing material, >0-7 vol. % dispersant, photoactivated dye, photoabsorber, photoinitiator, and 0-18 vol. % (as a balance) diluent. The surrogate slurry has a similar composition, but a plurality of surrogate particles selected to represent a uranium-containing material are substituted for the particles of uranium-containing material. The method provides a means for in-situ monitoring of characteristics of the final component during manufacture as well as in-situ volumetric inspection. Compositions of surrogate slurries and nuclear fuel slurries are also disclosed.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
G21C 3/50 - Suspensions of the active constituent; Slurries
C08F 2/08 - Organic solvent with the aid of dispersing agents for the polymer
C08F 2/54 - Polymerisation initiated by wave energy or particle radiation by X-rays or electrons
Pre-ceramic particle solutions can prepared by a Coordinated-PDC process, a Direct-PDC process or a Coordinated-Direct-PDC process. The pre-ceramic particle solution includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation, (ii) a first organometallic polymer and (iii) a second organometallic polymer including a metal or metalloid cation different from a metal in the second organometallic polymer, a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of (a) a ceramic fuel particle and (b) a moderator particle, a dispersant, and a polymerization initiator. The pre-ceramic particle solution can be supplied to an additive manufacturing process, such as digital light projection, and made into a structure (which is pre-ceramic particle green body) that can then be debinded to form a polymer-derived ceramic sintered body. In some embodiments, the polymer-derived ceramic sintered body is a component or structure for fission reactors.
C04B 35/589 - Fine ceramics obtained from polymer precursors
C04B 35/58 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramic compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxides based on borides, nitrides or silicides
C04B 35/56 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramic compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxides based on carbides
A nuclear fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core including at least one fuel cartridge having a lattice structure including an outer wall defining an interior volume, at least one flow channel extending through the interior volume of the lattice structure, at least one lattice site disposed in the interior of the lattice structure; and at least one fuel compact disposed within a corresponding one of the at least one lattice site. A cross-sectional shape of the at least one fuel compact is the same as a cross-sectional shape of the corresponding one of the at least one lattice site.
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