Methods and apparatuses for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMichael P. Moriarty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, which are fault tolerant. The apparatus includes at least one heat pipe configured to absorb thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor. In addition, the apparatus includes a first compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The first compartment is configured to contain a first gas. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a second compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The second compartment is configured to contain a second gas and configured to isolate the second gas from the first gas.
Claims19
An apparatus for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, comprising:
- a heat pipe configured to absorb the thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor;
- a first compartment thermally coupled to said heat pipe;
- first gas inlet and gas outlet ducts coupled to said first compartment;
- a second compartment thermally coupled to said heat pipe;
- and
- second gas inlet and gas outlet ducts coupled to said second compartment,
- wherein said first compartment, said first gas inlet, and said first gas outlet are pneumatically isolated from said second compartment, said second gas inlet, and said second gas outlet.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a nuclear reactor;
- an apparatus for removing thermal energy from said nuclear reactor, said apparatus comprising:
- a heat pipe configured to absorb thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor;
- a first compartment thermally coupled to said heat pipe;
- first gas inlet and gas outlet ducts coupled to said first compartment;
- a second compartment thermally coupled to said heat pipe;
- and
- second gas inlet and gas outlet ducts coupled to said second compartment, wherein said first compartment, said first gas inlet, and said first gas outlet are pneumatically isolated from said second compartment, said second gas inlet, and said second gas outlet;
- and
- an energy conversion system configured to convert at least a portion of said thermal energy removed from said nuclear reactor by said apparus into power for the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.