Air box shock absorber for a nuclear reactor

An improved shock absorber system for use in an ice condenser compartment of a nuclear reactor including:

• i. a containment enclosing a reactor compartment containing a nuclear reactor having a closed cooling system including piping connecting the reactor, pumps and a steam generator in a closed loop;
• ii. a wall in the reactor compartment spaced from the inner surface of the containment, the space therebetween defining an ice condenser compartment;
• and
• iii. multiple aligned ports located in the bottom of said wall, movable doors mounted in each of said ports, said ports providing access from the reactor compartment to the ice condenser compartment so that in the event of rupture of said piping, coolant released inside the reactor compartment generates steam pressure which forces said doors under high velocity to an open position thereby providing an avenue for escape of steam into the ice condenser compartment, wherein the improvement comprises:
• a separate air box shock absorber mounted inside the condenser compartment adjacent one of said ports for absorbing the energy imparted to each door by the steam pressure, said shock absorber comprising a back member slightly larger than each of said doors, a prefolded inward front member, and top and bottom members positioned such that a controlled clearance exists between said top member and said front member and between said bottom member and said front member, whereby upon impact of said door against said front member air within said shock absorber is compressed and forced out of said shock absorber through said controlled clearances such that said shock absorber absorbs the impacting forces of the door without the door rebounding to a closed position.