Heat transfer unit and method for prefabricated vessel
AssigneeSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
InventorsDavid A. Tamburello, Anthony J. McWilliams, Bruce J. Hardy, Matthew R. Kesterson
Life of this patent
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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 extending along and defining a longitudinal axis;
- a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and 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 each of the plurality of peripheral rods extends helically about the longitudinal axis, 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.
A heat transfer unit for a prefabricated vessel, the heat transfer unit comprising:
- a central rod extending along and defining a longitudinal axis, the central rod comprising a male portion and a female portion, at least a portion of the male portion insertable into the female portion, wherein the male portion comprises an outer thread and the female portion comprises a mating inner thread, and wherein twisting of one of the male portion or the female portion relative to the other of the male portion or the female portion inserts the male portion into the female portion;
- a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and connected to the central rod, the plurality of peripheral rods movable between a first collapsed position and a second bowed position, wherein insertion of the male portion into the female portion causes movement of the plurality of peripheral rods from the first collapsed position to the second bowed position, and 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 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;
- a heat transfer element connected to one of the plurality of peripheral rods.
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 extending along and defining a longitudinal axis;
- a plurality of peripheral rods surrounding the central rod and 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 each of the plurality of peripheral rods extends helically about the longitudinal axis, 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.