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US 9,809,380 B2Granted
Heat transfer unit and method for prefabricated vessel
AssigneeSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
InventorsDavid A. Tamburello, Matthew R. Kesterson, Bruce J. Hardy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vessel assemblies, heat transfer units for prefabricated vessels, and methods for heat transfer prefabricated vessel are provided. A heat transfer unit includes a central rod, and a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and connected to the central rod. The plurality of peripheral rods are movable between a first collapsed position and a second bowed position, wherein in the second bowed position a midpoint of each of the plurality of peripheral rods is spaced from the central rod relative to in the first position. The heat transfer unit further includes a heat transfer element connected to one of the plurality of peripheral rods.
Claims20
A heat transfer unit for a prefabricated vessel, the heat transfer unit comprising:
- a central rod;
- a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and connected to the central rod, each of the plurality of peripheral rods extending between a first end and a second end, the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods connected to the central rod, the plurality of peripheral rods movable between a first collapsed position and a second bowed position, wherein in the second bowed position a midpoint of each of the plurality of peripheral rods is spaced from the central rod relative to in the first position, and wherein a distance between the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods in the second bowed position is less than a distance between the first end and second end of that peripheral rod in the first collapsed position, and wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the second position when in the first position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the second position when not under the influence of an external biasing force or wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the first position when in the second position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the first position when not under the influence of an external biasing force;
- and
- a heat transfer element connected to one of the plurality of peripheral rods.
1 more element
A vessel assembly, comprising:
- a prefabricated vessel comprising a shell, the shell defining an interior;
- and
- a heat transfer unit insertable into the interior of the prefabricated vessel, the heat transfer unit comprising:
- a central rod;
- a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and connected to the central rod, each of the plurality of peripheral rods extending between a first end and a second end, the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods connected to the central rod, the plurality of peripheral rods movable between a first collapsed position and a second bowed position, wherein in the second bowed position a midpoint of each of the plurality of peripheral rods is spaced from the central rod relative to in the first position, and wherein a distance between the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods in the second bowed position is less than a distance between the first end and second end of that peripheral rod in the first collapsed position, and wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the second position when in the first position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the second position when not under the influence of an external biasing force or wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the first position when in the second position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the first position when not under the influence of an external biasing force;
- and
- a heat transfer element connected to one of the plurality of peripheral rods.
4 more elements
A method for facilitating heat transfer in a prefabricated vessel, the method comprising:
- inserting a heat transfer unit into the prefabricated vessel, the heat transfer unit comprising a central rod, a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod, and a heat transfer element, each of the plurality of peripheral rods extending between a first end and a second end, the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods connected to the central rod;
- deploying the unit from a first collapsed position to a second bowed position, wherein in the second bowed position a midpoint of each of the plurality of peripheral rods is spaced from the central rod relative to in the first position, and wherein a distance between the first end and second end of each of the plurality of peripheral rods in the second bowed position is less than a distance between the first end and second end of that peripheral rod in the first collapsed position, and wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the second position when in the first position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the second position when not under the influence of an external biasing force or wherein each of the plurality of peripheral rods is biased towards the first position when in the second position such that each of the plurality of rods returns to the first position when not under the influence of an external biasing force;
- and
- activating the heat transfer element.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.