Patent Number: 051907208
Section: claims

1. An improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system, comprising the combination of: a fixed structure comprising an open top silo vessel;  a seismically isolated structure comprising a reactor vessel containing a pool of liquid metal coolant with a core of heat producing fissionable fuel immersed therein and a containment vessel substantially surrounding the reactor vessel in spaced apart relation with the reactor vessel thereby providing an intermediate closed space between the reactor and containment vessels for retaining a gas;  said reactor and containment vessels of the seismically isolated structure extending concentrically downward into the open top silo vessel fixed structure in spaced apart relation whereby the silo vessel substantially surrounds the reactor and containment vessels; and  an annular flexible seal member positioned between an upper annular edge of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure.  a fixed structure comprising an open top cylindrical silo vessel positioned axially vertical;  a seismically isolated structure comprising a cylindrical reactor vessel containing a pool of liquid metal coolant with a core of heat producing fissionable fuel immersed therein and a cylindrical containment vessel substantially surrounding the reactor vessel in concentric spaced apart relation with the reactor vessel thereby providing an intermediate closed space between the reactor and containment vessels for retaining a protective gas;  said seismically isolated structure being mounted on seismic isolating shock absorbing units supported in the fixed structure and spaced a short distance from the supporting fixed structure with the cylindrical reactor and containment vessels extending concentrically downward into the open top cylindrical silo vessel in spaced apart relation whereby the silo vessel substantially surrounds the reactor and containment vessels; and  an annular flexible seal member positioned within the spaced between on upper annular edge of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure.  a fixed structure comprising a concrete open top cylindrical silo vessel positioned axially vertical;  a seismically isolated structure comprising a cylindrical reactor vessel containing a pool of liquid metal coolant with a core of heat producing fissionable fuel immersed therein and a cylindrical containment vessel substantially surrounding the reactor vessel in concentric spaced apart relation with the reactor vessel thereby providing an intermediate closed space between the reactor and containment vessels for retaining a protective gas;  said seismically isolated structure being mounted on multiple seismic isolating shock absorbing units supported in the fixed structure and thereby being maintained spaced apart a short distance from the supporting fixed structure and with the cylindrical reactor and containment vessels extending concentrically downward into the concrete open top cylindrical silo vessel in spaced apart relation whereby the silo vessel substantially surrounds the reactor and containment vessel; and  at least one annular flexible seal member positioned within the space between an upper annular surface of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure, whereby upon overheating of the silo liner tank due to a mishap the inherent expansion of the overheated silo liner tank will tightly close the annular flexible seal member between the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure.  a fixed structure comprising a pair of concentrically arranged and spaced apart open top metal cylindrical silo vessels positioned axially vertical and having high thermal conductivity material therebetween;  a seismically isolated structure comprising a cylindrical reactor vessel containing a pool of liquid metal coolant with a core of heat producing fissionable fuel immersed therein and a cylindrical containment vessel substantially surrounding the reactor vessel in concentric spaced apart relation with the reactor vessel thereby providing an intermediate closed space between the reactor and containment vessels for retaining a protective gas;  said seismically isolated structure being mounted on multiple seismic isolating shock absorbing units supported in the fixed structure and thereby maintained spaced apart a small distance from the supporting fixed structure and with the cylindrical reactor and containment vessels extending concentrically downward into the pair of open top metal cylindrical silo vessels in spaced apart relation whereby the silo vessels substantially surrounds the reactor and containment vessels; and at least one annular flexible seal member positioned within the space between an upper annular surface of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure. 2. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 1, wherein the seismically isolated structure is mounted on seismic isolating shock absorbing units supported on the fixed structure. 3. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 1, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises a continuous compressible mass of pliant material. 4. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 1, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises an annulus of a hollow flexible tube containing gas which expands the seal when exposed to heat. 5. An improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system, comprising the combination of: 6. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 5, wherein multiple annular flexible seal members are positioned within the space between an upper annular edge of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure. 7. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 5, wherein the open top cylindrical silo vessel comprises an concrete wall and bottom. 8. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 5, wherein the open top cylindrical silo vessel comprises an metal wall and bottom. 9. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 5, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises an annulus of a hollow flexible tube containing a gas which expands the seal when exposed to increased heat. 10. An improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system, comprising the combination of: 11. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 10, wherein the concrete open top cylindrical silo vessel is provided with a metal liner. 12. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 10, wherein the concrete open top cylindrical silo vessel is provided with a metal liner having an adjoining layer of thermal insulation over its outer surface and in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the concrete silo vessel. 13. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 10, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises a continuous compressible mass of pliant material. 14. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 10, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises an annulus of a hollow flexible tube containing a gas which expands the seal when exposed to heat. 15. An improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system, comprising the combination of: 16. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 15, wherein the annular flexible seal members comprises a continuous compressible mass of pliant material. 17. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 15, wherein the annular flexible seal member comprises an annulus of a hollow flexible tube containing a gas which expands the seal when exposed to heat. 18. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 15, wherein a plurality of vertical and horizontal metal beams extend generally radial substantially between the pair of concentrically arranged and spaced apart open top metal cylindrical silo vessels passing between sections of the high thermal conductivity material, whereby heat is carried away from the cylindrical silo vessel. 19. The improved liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor plant system of claim 15, wherein multiple annular flexible seal members are positioned within the space between the upper annular edge of the fixed structure and the seismically isolated structure.