Granted Patent B2

US 12,243,662 · App. 18/085,428 · Granted Mar 4, 2025

Inventors: Krishna P. Singh (Jupiter, FL); Evan Rosenbaum (Marlton, NJ); Thomas G. Haynes, III (Tampa, FL)

G21C19/07F22B1/162F22B33/18F22B37/002G21F1/08

Abstract

Claims (20)

1. A neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:

a boron-containing sleeve configured for insertion into a cell of a nuclear fuel rack configured for holding a nuclear fuel assembly, the sleeve comprising a plate structure including a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall;

the first and second longitudinal walls each having a top end; and

a reinforcement assembly coupled to the top ends of the first and second longitudinal walls;

wherein the reinforcement assembly is configured to add structural rigidity to the sleeve such that the sleeve may be lifted by the reinforcement assembly;

wherein the sleeve has a chevron shape;

wherein the top end of the first and second longitudinal walls each comprise a bent flange, the reinforcement assembly being coupled to the bent flanges; and

wherein the flanges are inwardly bent and oriented 90 degrees to the first and second longitudinal walls of the sleeve.

2. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flanges are separated from each other by a gap.

3. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement assembly comprises at least one reinforcement block coupled to the bent flanges of the first and second longitudinal walls.

4. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one reinforcement block has an L-shape formed by a single monolithic body.

5. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a dowel bar engaging a bottom surface of each bent flange, each dowel bar including upwardly protruding dowel pins which pass through a respective one of the bent flanges and are coupled to the reinforcement block.

6. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein each bent flange is sandwiched between one of the dowel bars at bottom and the reinforcement block on top.

7. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein each flange comprises dowel through holes which receive the dowel pins.

8. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement block is formed of a different material than the sleeve.

9. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the reinforcement block is formed of aluminum.

10. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one reinforcement block comprises a plurality of engagement holes having a geometry to which a lifting tool can be engaged for lifting the sleeve.

11. The neutron absorbing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first and second longitudinal walls are formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, the panel being bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and

a plurality of spaced-apart elongated slits formed into the single panel along the crease which are configured and arranged to facilitate bending the single panel into the non-coplanar arrangement.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (19)

References Cited (378)