Core component assembly including test samples for an in-core accelerated irradiation test
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsCaleb Clement, J. Brian Hall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A core component assembly for use with a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor is disclosed. The core component assembly comprises a baseplate and a segmented rod to extend into the fuel assembly. The segmented rod comprises a plurality of sample segments. Each sample segment comprises a tubular housing, a cylindrical cavity defined in the tubular housing, a first plug to seal a first end of the tubular housing, and a second plug to seal a second end of the tubular housing opposite the first end. The cylindrical cavity is to house one or more than one test specimen.
Claims20
A core component assembly for use with a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor, wherein the core component assembly comprises:
- a baseplate;
- and
- a segmented rod to extend into the fuel assembly, the segmented rod comprises a plurality of sample segments, each sample segment comprises:
- a tubular housing;
- a cylindrical cavity defined in the tubular housing, wherein the cylindrical cavity is to house one or more than one test specimen;
- a first plug to seal a first end of the tubular housing;
- and
- a second plug to seal a second end of the tubular housing opposite the first end.
A method of irradiating a plurality of test specimens within a nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor including a fuel assembly comprising a first instrumentation tube and a second instrumentation tube, the method comprising:
- placing a first segmented rod at least partially within the first instrumentation tube of the fuel assembly of the nuclear reactor, the first segmented rod comprising a first test specimen and a second test specimen spaced apart from the first test specimen;
- positioning the first segmented rod relative to the first instrumentation tube such that the first test specimen is positioned at a first axial elevation relative to the fuel assembly and such that the second test specimen is positioned at a second axial elevation relative to the fuel assembly, the first axial elevation is different than the second axial elevation;
- placing a second segmented rod at least partially within the second instrumentation tube of the fuel assembly of the nuclear reactor, the second segmented rod comprising a third test specimen and a fourth test specimen spaced apart from the third test specimen;
- positioning the second segmented rod relative to the second instrumentation tube such that the third test specimen is positioned at the first axial elevation and such that the fourth test specimen is positioned at the second axial elevation;
- and
- leaving the first segmented rod and the second segmented rod in residence within the fuel assembly for a period of time such that the first test specimen and the third test specimen receive a first radiation dose, and such that the second test specimen and the fourth test specimen receive a second radiation dose that is different than the first radiation dose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.