Nuclear reactor automatic depressurization system
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorBruce M. Cook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blocking device for preventing the actuation of an automatic depressurization system in a pressurized nuclear reactor system due to spurious signals resulting from a software failure. The blocking signal is removed when the coolant level within the core makeup tanks drop below a predetermined level.
Claims7
A nuclear reactor system having a pressurized coolant circuit including a pressure vessel, heat exchanger, core makeup tank and connecting piping, the connecting piping including a main coolant piping loop connecting the heat exchanger to the pressure vessel in a closed loop configuration and a makeup water connection connecting the core makeup tank to the pressure vessel, the nuclear reactor system being housed within a containment shell and further comprising;
- an in-containment water reservoir that is maintained vented to an atmosphere of the containment shell;
- a depressurization system for automatically depressurizing the pressurized coolant circuit in the event of a design basis accident and connecting the water reservoir to the pressure vessel;
- and
- a blocking device is connected to the depressurization system for preventing the depressurization system from activating when coolant within the core makeup tank is above a preselected level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.