GB854144A - Improvements in or relating to nuclear reactors - Google Patents

Abstract

854,144. Nuclear reactors. HAWKER SIDDELEY NUCLEAR POWER CO. Ltd. May 7, 1959 [May 12, 1958], No. 15138/58. Class 39(4). A nuclear reactor comprises a core including a solid moderator supported on a base within a pressure vessel, a thrust ring generally frustoconical in form at the top of the core urging the core against the base, and locating means adapted to keep the core in a predetermined position with respect to the pressure vessel. The core 1 may be constructed of graphite bricks and is constrained circumferentially by a number of steel bands 2. At each end of the core is a conical ring 3 which abuts, through antifriction bearings 4, a conical face on the core itself. Each conical ring carries a number of equally disposed facings 5 on its circumference and, between these facings, a number of vertical keyways 6 which engage with keys 7 secured to the pressure vessel 8 so that the rings 3 are free to slide vertically in the keyways but are held concentric with the pressure vessel. One arm of a bellcrank 9 bears on each facing on the ring 3 and the other arm is connected to a rod 10 which passes through the wall of the pressure vessel and is loaded by a spring 11. The pivot of the bellcrank is held in a bracket fixed to the pressure vessel, and the pivot hole in the bracket is elongated vertically so that the pivot may slide. Attached to the pivot is a tie-rod 14 which is similarly fixed to the bellcrank pivot on the conical ring at the opposite end of the core. The whole core is carried on antifriction bearings 15 supported on a steel framework 16. The construction is suitable for a ship-borne reactor.