Single-plate neutron absorbing apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
AssigneeHoltec International
InventorsEvan Rosenbaum, Thomas G. Haynes, III, Krishna P. Singh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack and method of manufacturing the same. In ones aspect, the invention is a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.
Claims27
A neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
- a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall;
- the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease;
- and
- a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease.
A system for supporting spent nuclear fuel in a submerged environment comprising:
- a fuel rack comprising an array of cells;
- a fuel assembly positioned within at least one of the cells of the fuel rack;
- at least one neutron absorbing insert comprising a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into a chevron shape along a crease, and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease;
- and
- the neutron absorbing insert positioned within the cell of the fuel rack so that the sleeve is located between the fuel assembly and the walls of the fuel rack.
A method of manufacturing a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
- a) providing a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement;
- b) forming a line of spaced-apart holes in the single panel;
- and
- c) bending the panel along the line into a chevron shape having first and second walls.
A method of manufacturing a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
- a) providing a roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
- b) hot rolling the roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
- c) straightening and flattening the roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite using a hot roll leveler to create a panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
- d) shearing the panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite to a desired geometry;
- e) forming a line of spaced-apart slits in the single panel;
- and
- f) bending the panel boron carbide aluminum matrix composite along the line into a chevron shape having first and second longitudinal walls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.