CRDM internal electrical connector
View Patent ↗An internal control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) including an electric motor is disposed in a nuclear reactor and further includes a support surface with sealed electrical connectors electrically connected with the electric motor power the motor. The internal CRDM is disposed on a support element secured inside the nuclear reactor. The support element includes sealed electrical connectors mating with the sealed electrical connectors on the support surface of the internal CRDM to power the electric motor. The sealed electrical connectors may be sealed glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic connectors welded onto the ends of the MI cables extending from the motor. Springs, are disposed between the mating sealed electrical connectors of the support element and the support surface. A purge line is integrated with each mated connection.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a nuclear reactor including a pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed in the pressure vessel;
an internal control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) including an electric motor disposed in the pressure vessel and a support surface including sealed electrical connectors electrically connected with the electric motor to deliver electrical power to the electrical motor; and
a support element secured entirely within the pressure vessel which abuts the support surface of the internal CRDM and supports the internal CRDM in the pressure vessel, the support element being configured to be submerged in primary coolant and including sealed electrical connectors mating with the sealed electrical connectors on the support surface of the internal CRDM to deliver electrical power to the electric motor of the internal CRDM.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal CRDM further comprises:
mineral insulated cables (MI cables) electrically connecting the electric motor to the sealed electrical connectors on the support surface, wherein each MI cable is connected to one of the sealed electrical connectors and the sealed electrical connectors are sealed glass connectors, sealed ceramic connectors, or sealed glass ceramic connectors.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal CRDM further comprises:
mineral insulated cables (MI cables) electrically connecting the electric motor to the sealed electrical connectors on the support surface, wherein each MI cable is connected to one of the sealed electrical connectors and the sealed electrical connectors are welded onto the ends of the MI cables.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
springs disposed between the sealed electrical connectors of the support element and the mating sealed electrical connectors on the support surface of the internal CRDM.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the springs are wave springs.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a purge line integrated with each mated connection of a sealed electrical connector of the support element and the mated sealed electrical connector on the support surface of the internal CRDM, wherein the purge line defines a conduit from the exterior of the sealed electrical connector on the support surface to an area between the sealed electrical connector on the support surface and the sealed electrical connector of the support element in the mated connection.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal CRDM includes a standoff mechanically secured with the internal CRDM, the support surface of the internal CRDM being a surface of the standoff.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support element comprises:
a distribution plate including mineral insulated cables (MI cables) disposed on or in the distribution plate and terminating at the sealed electrical connectors of the distribution plate.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the sealed electrical connectors of the support surface of the internal CRDM are female electrical connectors, and the electrical connectors of the support element are male electrical connectors.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the sealed electrical connectors of the support surface of the internal CRDM are male electrical connectors, and the electrical connectors of the support element are female electrical connectors.