Patent ID: 9721682
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: G21C,Y02E

Claim:
1. A nuclear reactor control rod drive assembly, comprising: a control rod drive mechanism coupled to a drive shaft and operable to urge the drive shaft through a portion of an inner volume of a reactor vessel in a first direction toward a reactor core and in a second direction away from the reactor core; a control rod manifold coupled to the drive shaft; a plurality of control rods coupled to the control rod manifold, the plurality of control rods adjustable among a plurality of positions within the inner volume of the reactor vessel based on operation of the control rod drive mechanism; and at least one joint positioned between the control rod drive mechanism and the plurality of control rods, the at least one joint having a first failure strength in the first direction and a second failure strength in the second direction, the first failure strength being greater than the second failure strength, wherein the joint comprises a plurality of joints, the plurality of joints connecting the control rod manifold and the plurality of control rods, wherein the plurality of joints provide the first failure strength and the second failure strength between the manifold and the plurality of control rods, wherein the manifold further comprises a plurality of pockets, the plurality of control rods being positioned in the plurality of pockets, and wherein each of the plurality of pockets is formed with an inward-directed flange.