Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A strainer system for use in a nuclear reactor containment sump to trap debris present in a post loss of coolant accident, the strainer system comprising:at least one strainer module including a plurality of strainer pockets which each define an open inflow end, the inflow ends of the strainer pockets collectively defining a primary strainer surface of the strainer module; anda debris interceptor positioned upstream relative to the strainer module in a manner wherein the debris interceptor effectively covers at least a portion of the primary strainer surface and defines an auxiliary suction plenum between the debris interceptor and the strainer module, the auxiliary suction plenum having an open inlet portion and a pressure activated inlet portion, the debris interceptor being sized and configured to effectively trap and thus prevent at least a portion of the debris present in a post loss of coolant accident from reaching the primary strainer surface of the strainer module, the debris interceptor comprising at least one membrane being transitionable from a closed position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is substantially covered to prevent fluid flow through the pressure activated inlet portion, to an open position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is at least partially unobstructed to allow for the flow of fluid through the pressure activated inlet portion. 2. The strainer system of claim 1 wherein the debris interceptor comprises a perforated strainer screen which is cooperatively engaged to the strainer module such that the auxiliary suction plenum is defined between the strainer screen and the primary strainer surface. 3. The strainer system of claim 2 wherein the strainer screen includes the at least one membrane which is integrated therein and selectively transitionable from the closed position to the open position allowing for the flow of a fluid directly into the auxiliary suction plenum. 4. The strainer system of claim 3 wherein the strainer screen has a generally serpentine configuration. 5. The strainer system of claim 4 wherein the strainer screen defines at least one top panel which has a generally triangular configuration and includes the at least one membrane integrated therein. 6. The strainer system of claim 3 wherein the membrane is sized and configured to be rupturable upon the application of pressure thereto at a prescribed level. 7. The strainer system of claim 1 wherein the debris interceptor comprises a secondary strainer which is positioned upstream relative to the strainer module such that the auxiliary suction plenum is defined between the secondary strainer and the primary strainer surface. 8. The strainer system of claim 7 wherein the secondary strainer comprises a plurality of strainer pockets which each define an open inflow end, the inflow ends of the strainer pockets facing in a common direction. 9. The strainer system of claim 8 wherein the secondary strainer includes the at least one membrane which is integrated therein and selectively transitionable from the closed position to the open position allowing for the flow of a fluid directly into the auxiliary suction plenum. 10. The strainer system of claim 9 wherein the membrane is sized and configured to be rupturable upon the application of pressure thereto at a prescribed level. 11. The strainer system of claim 9 wherein the secondary strainer includes a plurality of membranes which are integrated therein, and at least one of the membranes is positioned forwardly relative to the inflow ends of the strainer pockets. 12. The strainer system of claim 1 wherein the debris interceptor comprises a mesh layer which is cooperatively engaged to the strainer module such that the primary strainer surface is covered thereby. 13. The strainer system of claim 12 wherein the mesh layer is fabricated from at least one of a layered stainless steel mesh and a single mesh screen. 14. The strainer system of claim 12 wherein at least some of the strainer pockets of the strainer module are at least partially lined with the mesh layer. 15. The strainer system of claim 1 wherein the debris interceptor comprises a multiplicity of mesh cubes which are maintained in cooperative engagement to the strainer module such that the primary strainer surface is at least partially covered thereby. 16. The strainer system of claim 15 wherein the mesh cubes which are distributed in random orientations and maintained within a perforated housing cooperatively engaged to the strainer module. 17. The strainer system of claim 15 wherein the mesh cubes are provided in varying sizes and mesh densities, and arranged relative to the primary strainer surface such that the mesh cubes are of progressively smaller sizes and finer mesh densities as they approach the primary strainer surface. 18. The strainer system of claim 15 wherein at least some of the strainer pockets of the strainer module are at least partially filled with the mesh cubes. 19. A strainer system for use in a nuclear reactor containment sump to trap debris present in a post loss of coolant accident, the strainer system comprising:at least one strainer module defining a primary strainer surface; anda debris interceptor positioned upstream relative to the strainer module in a manner wherein the debris interceptor effectively covers at least a portion of the primary strainer surface and defines an auxiliary suction plenum between the debris interceptor and the strainer module, the auxiliary suction plenum having an open inlet portion and a pressure activated inlet portion, the debris interceptor being sized and configured to effectively trap and thus prevent at least a portion of the debris present in a post loss of coolant accident from reaching the primary strainer surface of the strainer module, the debris interceptor comprising at least one membrane being transitionable from a closed position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is substantially covered to prevent fluid flow through the pressure activated inlet portion, to an open position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is at least partially unobstructed to allow for the flow of fluid through the pressure activated inlet portion. 20. In a strainer system for use in a nuclear reactor containment sump to trap debris present in a post loss of coolant accident and including at least one strainer module defining a primary strainer surface, the improvement comprising:a debris interceptor positioned upstream relative to the strainer module in a manner wherein the debris interceptor effectively covers at least a portion of the primary strainer surface and defines an auxiliary suction plenum between the debris interceptor and the strainer module, the auxiliary suction plenum having an open inlet portion and a pressure activated inlet portion, the debris interceptor being sized and configured to effectively trap and thus prevent at least a portion of the debris present in a post loss of coolant accident from reaching the primary strainer surface of the strainer module, the debris interceptor comprising at least one membrane being transitionable from a closed position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is substantially covered to prevent fluid flow through the pressure activated inlet portion, to an open position wherein the pressure activated inlet portion is at least partially unobstructed to allow for the flow of fluid through the pressure activated inlet portion.