Patent Number: 047524332
Section: claims

1. A pressurized water reactor system including a pressure vessel having provided therein, at successively higher elevations, a lower barrel assembly for receiving plural fuel rod assemblies therein in parallel axial relationship, an inner barrel assembly for receiving plural clusters of rods mounted in parallel axial relationship for selectively controlled, axial movement in telescoping relationship with the fuel rod assemblies between a fully inserted position within the lower barrel assembly and a fully withdrawn position within the inner barrel assembly, and a head assembly in sealed communication with the lower and inner barrel assemblies for containing the pressurized reactor coolant fluid within the vessel, and a vent system for selectively driving the rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions, comprising: a plurality of drive rods respectively connected to said plurality of rod clusters and movable axially therewith through a path of travel corresponding to the movement of the respective rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and the fully inserted positions thereof;  a plurality of drive means disposed in parallel axial relationship on and extending in sealed relationship through the head assembly and in communication with the pressurized coolant fluid therein, each said drive means receiving therein, in sealed relationship, an upper end portion of a corresponding drive rod and permitting relative axial movement thereof through the path of travel, each said drive means having a leakage passage therein through which a leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within said drive means producing substantially no net force acting on the associated drive rod and having an output channel through which the leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass to the exterior of said drive means to create a pressure differential therewithin establishing a net force acting on said drive rod to move same upwardly through said path of travel to the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and mechanical engaging means selectively operable to engage an upper end portion of the drive rod and mechanically support same at the aforesaid fully withdrawn position thereof;  a reservoir maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure;  means associated with said plural drive means and said reservoir, selectively operable for connecting the corresponding output channels of selected said drive means to said reservoir to enable the leakage flow in said selected drive means to pass through the corresponding said output channel of each such selected drive means and establish a pressure differential therewithin;  a vent connection through said head assembly in communication with the pressurized reactor coolant fluid therewithin; and  means associated with said plural drive means and said vent connection, selectively operable for connecting the corresponding output channels of selected, said drive means to said vent connection to positively establish pressure equilibrium within each such selected drive means.  the combined weight of each said drive rod and connected rod cluster associated with a given said drive means is sufficient to permit said drive rod and connected rod cluster to fall by force of gravity to said fully inserted position of said rod cluster, as the pressure differential within the associated said drive means reduces to pressure equilibrium therein.  plural sensing means for selectively sensing respectively corresponding said rod clusters at their fully inserted positions, at intermediate positions between said fully inserted and said fully withdrawn positions and at said fully withdrawn positions thereof, and producing corresponding sensor output signals; and  a plurality of display indicators respectively corresponding to said plurality of rod clusters and including, for each said rod cluster, plural display indicators individually and respectively responsive to the corresponding said sensor signals for selectively indicating at least the fully inserted position, an intermediate position, and the fully withdrawn position of the respectively corresponding rod cluster.  first, second and third sensor means corresponding to each said rod cluster for selectively sensing same at said fully inserted position, at an intermediate position between said fully inserted and fully withdrawn positons and at said fully withdrawn position thereof, and producing corresponding sensor outputs; and  display means having first, second and third display indicators respectively associated with each said rod cluster; and  means for connecting the outputs of said first, second and third sensors for each said rod cluster to said respectively associated first, second and third display indicators of said display means to provide a visual indication of the position of each said rod cluster.  control means for selectively operating said selective connecting means for selectively controlling the movement of said plural rod clusters between said fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions of each thereof.  said plural clusters of rods comprise water displacement rods normally fully inserted within said lower barrel assembly at the beginning of each fuel cycle of the reactor system.  plural clusters of reactor control rods;  plural drive rods respectively connected to said plural reactor control rod clusters and movable axially therewith through a path of travel corresponding to the movement of the respective reactor control rod clusters between fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions, said reactor control rod cluster drive rods extending for axial movement in sealed relationship through the head assembly;  a plurality of reactor control rod cluster drive means disposed in parallel axial relationship on said head assembly, each thereof receiving an upper end portion of a corresponding control rod cluster drive rod and being operable to selectively move same for continuously selective positioning of the associated control rod cluster between said fully inserted and fully withdrawn positions;  said respective pluralities of drive means for said pluralities of water displacement rod clusters and said reactor control rod clusters being disposed in interleaved, parallel axial relationship on said head assembly.  the combined weight of each said drive rod and connected rod cluster associated with a given said drive means is sufficient to permit said drive rod and connected rod cluster to fall by force of gravity to said fully inserted position of said rod cluster, as the pressure differential within the associated said drive means reduces to pressure equilibrium therein;  each said drive means includes a stop for limiting the upward path of travel of the associated drive rod when moving to said fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster; and  said mechanical engaging means of each said drive means includes means for mechanically engaging the upper end of the associated drive rod after said drive rod reaches said limiting stop and subsequently to pressure equilibrium being established therein, as said drive rod begins to fall by force of gravity, thereby to support same at the aforesaid, fully withdrawn position thereof.  each said drive means, when selectively connected at said output channel thereof to said reservoir, passing a leakage flow through the output channel thereof and establishing the aforesaid pressure differential therein, for producing a net force raising the upper end of the associated drive rod toward said stop and releasing same from said mechanical engaging means; and  each said drive means, when selectively connected at said output channel thereof to said vent connection, establishing pressure equilibrium therein for permitting the corresponding said rod guide and associated rod cluster to drop by force of gravity to the fully inserted position thereof.  a plurality of drive rods respectively connected to said plurality of rod clusters and each movable axially therewith through a path of travel corresponding to the movement of the respective rod cluster between the fully withdrawn and the fully inserted positions thereof;  a plurality of drive means disposed in parallel axial relationship on and extending in sealed relationship through the head assembly and in communication with the pressurized coolant fluid therein, each said drive means receiving therein, in sealed relationship, an upper end portion of a corresponding drive rod and permitting relative axial movement thereof through the path of travel, each said drive means having a leakage passage therein through which a leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within said drive means producing substantially no net force acting on the associated drive rod and having an output channel through which the leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass to the exterior of said drive means thereby to create a pressure differential therewithin establishing a net force acting on said drive rod to move same upwardly through said path of travel to the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and mechanical engaging means selectively operable to engage an upper end portion of the drive rod and mechanically support same at the aforesaid fully withdrawn position thereof;  a plurality of group manifolds, each group manifold being connected in parallel to the outlet channels of a respectively corresponding group of predetermined drive means;  a system manifold;  a plurality of first valve means respectively connected to said plurality of group manifolds, each of said first valve means being individually, selectively operable for selectively connecting and disconnecting the respectively corresponding group manifold of a selected group of drive means to said system manifold;  a reservoir maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure;  second valve means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said system manifold to said reservoir;  each said first valve means, when selectively operated to connect said corresponding group manifold of a selected group of drive means to said system manifold, functioning in cooperation with said second valve means, when operated to connect said group manifold to said reservoir, to permit a leakage flow to pass through the output channels of the corresponding drive means of the selected group and to establish the aforesaid pressure differential in each thereof;  each said first valve means, when selectively operated to disconnect said corresponding group manifold from said system manifold, blocking the leakage flow through the corresponding output channels of said drive means of said associated group thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within each of said corresponding drive means of said selected group;  a vent connection to said vessel in communication with the pressurized reactor coolant fluid therein;  further valve means selectively operable to selectively connect and disconnect said vent connection to said system manifold; and  each of said first valve means, when operated to connect said corresponding group manifold to said system manifold, functioning in cooperation with said further valve means, when operated to connect said vent connection to said system manifold, to establish the aforesaid pressure differential within each of said corresponding drive means of said selected group thereof and prevent leakage flow through the respective output channels thereof.  an orifice connected between said second valve means and said reservoir for restricting the rate of flow from said system manifold, when selectively connected to said reservoir by said second valve means, and thereby the rate of leakage flow from each said group manifold corresponding to a selected group of said drive means and selectively connected by said corresponding first valve means to said system manifold, thereby to limit the rate of decrease of an existing pressure differential to pressure equilibrium within said drive means of each said selected group.  plural flow restrictors respectively associated with said plural drive means and connected between said output channels thereof and the respectively corresponding group manifolds, each said flow restrictor restricting the leakage flow through the corresponding output channel of the respective drive means.  fourth valve means connected between said system manifold and said reservoir for selectively connecting said system manifold to said reservoir and bypassing said second valve means and said orifice.  the combined weight of each said drive rod and connected rod cluster associated with a given said drive means is sufficient to permit said drive rod and connected rod cluster to fall by force of gravity to said fully inserted position of said rod cluster, as the pressure differential within the associated said drive means reduces to pressure equilibrium therein;  each said drive means includes a stop for limiting the upward path of travel of the associated drive rod when moving to said fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster; and  said mechanical engaging means of each said drive means includes means for mechanically engaging the upper end of the associated drive rod after said drive rod reaches said limiting stop and subsequently to pressure equilibrium being established therein, as said drive rod begins to fall by force of gravity, thereby to support same at the aforesaid, fully withdrawn position thereof.  each said first valve means, when selectively operated to connect the corresponding, selected said group manifold to said system manifold, in cooperation with the second valve means, when selectively operated to connect said group manifold to said reservoir, permits a leakage flow to pass through the output channels of the corresponding drive means of the selected group thereof and establish the aforesaid pressure differential in each thereof for producing a force to raise the upper end of said drive rods associated with said drive means of said corresponding group and thereby release same from said mechanical engaging means; and  said further valve means, when selectively operated to connect said vent connection to said system manifold, functioning in cooperation with said second valve means, when selectively operated to disconnect said system manifold from said reservoir, to establish pressure equilibrium within each said corresponding drive means of said selected group and thereby permit the corresponding rod clusters thereof to drop by force of gravity to the fully inserted positions thereof.  selectively connecting the corresponding output channels of selected said drive means to said reservoir to enable the leakage flow in said selected drive means to pass through the corresponding said output channel of each such selected drive means and establish a pressure differential therewithin, thereby to move the drive rod corresponding to each selected drive means upwardly through the path of travel to the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster; and  selectively connecting the corresponding output channels of selected, said drive means to said vent connection to positively establish pressure equilibrium within each such selected drive means, the combined weight of each said drive rod and connected rod cluster associated with a given said drive means being sufficient to permit said drive rod and connected rod cluster, as the pressure differential within the associated said drive means reduces to pressure equilibrium therein, to fall by force of gravity to said fully inserted position of said rod cluster.  maintaining the selective connection of the corresponding output channels of selected said drive means to said reservoir until each associated drive rod engages the corresponding limit stop, and thereafter  disconnecting the corresponding output channels of the selected drive means from the reservoir and blocking passage of the leakage flow through the corresponding output channels thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within the selected drive means and cause each corresponding drive rod to fall by force of gravity and be mechanically engaged by the corresponding mechanical engaging means and supported thereby at the fully withdrawn position thereof.  arranging the plurality of rod clusters and corresponding drive rods and drive means in a plurality of groups, each group comprising a predetermined number of rod clusters and respectively associated drive rods and drive means;  selecting a group of said associated drive means, drive rods and rod clusters for movement;  selectively connecting the corresponding output channels of the selected group of associated drive means to said reservoir to enable leakage flow to pass through the output channels of the corresponding drive means of the selected group and establish the aforesaid pressure differential in each thereof for moving the drive rods of the associated drive means of the selected group upwardly through the path of travel to the fully withdrawn positions of the associated rod clusters; and  disconnecting the corresponding output channels of the associated drive means of the selected group from the reservoir and selectively connecting the corresponding output channels of the associated drive means of a selected group thereof to said vent connection to positively establish pressure equilibrium within each of the associated drive means of the selected group, the combined weight of each said drive rod and connected rod cluster associated with a given said drive means being sufficient to permit said drive rod and connected rod cluster, as the pressure differential within the associated said drive means reduces to pressure equilibrium therein, to fall by force of gravity to said fully inserted position of said rod cluster.  restricting the rate of leakage flow from the associated drive means of the selected group so as to regulate the rate of change from pressure equilibrium to pressure differential within the said associated drive means of the selected group and thus the rate of movement of the corresponding drive rods to the withdrawn position of the associated rod clusters.  for each selected group of associated drive means for which the associated drive rods and rod clusters are to be moved into the fully inserted position, connecting the corresponding output channels of the associated drive means to said vent connection for a sufficient interval to raise the corresponding drive rods to the limiting stop of the respective drive means and thereby release same from mechanical engagement; and  thereafter, selectively connecting the output channels of said associated drive means of the selected group to said vent connection to positively establish the pressure differential within the said associated drive means.  for each said selected group of associated drive means for which a corresponding drive rod fails to move upwardly in sequence with the remainder of the drive rods of the group, bypassing the flow restriction in the connection of the output channels of the drive means of the associated group so as to produce an increased force in said drive means for driving the missequenced drive rod to the fully withdrawn position.  for each selected group of associated drive means for which the corresponding drive rods are mechanically engaged in the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod clusters and which are to be moved to the fully inserted positions thereof, selectively and briefly connecting the corresponding output channels of the associated drive means of the selected group to said reservoir to establish a pressure differential therewithin for raising the mechanically engaged drive rods to the stops of the associated drive means, and then blocking the output channels of the associated drive means of the selected group so as to prevent further passage of the leakage flow through said output channels and establish pressure equilibrium within the associated drive means of the selected group, thereby to permit the corresponding drive rods and rod clusters to fall by force of gravity to the fully inserted positions.  selectively connecting the output channels of all of the associated drive means of the selected group to the vent connection to establish pressure equilibrium in all of the said associated drive means and maintaining said pressure equilibrium until all of the corresponding rod clusters have fallen to the fully inserted position; and  selectively connecting the ouput channels of all of the associated drive means of the selected group to the reservoir to establish a pressure differential within each thereof, and maintaining same until all of the respectively corresponding rod clusters of the selected group have reached the fully withdrawn position.  a system manifold;  plural first valve means connected to respectively corresponding drive means and selectively operable between open and closed positions;  a reservoir maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure;  second valve means selectively operable between open and closed positions;  an orifice;  a conduit connecting said second valve means and said orifice between said manifold and said reservoir;  operation of said second valve means and of a selected, said first valve means to the open positions of each thereof connecting the output channels of the drive means respectively corresponding to said first valve means through said common manifold and said orifice to said reservoir to establish a pressure differential within said respectively corresponding drive means for establishing a net force acting on the respectively corresponding drive rods to move same upwardly through the path of travel to the second, higher position thereof; and  actuation of any of said plurality of first valve means to said closed position blocking any leakage flow through the output channels of the corresponding drive means, thereby to establish pressure equilibrium therewithin.  a vent connection extending through said head assembly and in communication with the pressurized reactor coolant fluid therewith;  further valve means, selectively operable between open and closed positions, connecting said vent connection to said common manifold; and  said further valve means, when operated to said open position, in combination with a selected one of said plurality of first valve means, when operated to said open position, connecting said vent connection through said common manifold to the outlet channels of said drive means corresponding to said selected first valve means, to positively establish pressure equilibrium within said respectively corresponding drive means.  plural flow restricting means respectively connected between the output channels of said plural drive means and the respectively corresponding plurality of first valve means, for restricting the rate of leakage passing through the respective output channels of the respective, individual drive means.  plural group manifolds respectively corresponding to and connected by said plurality of first valve means to said system manifold, and each said group manifold being connected to the output channels of a group of a predetermined number of associated said drive means;  each of said plurality of first valve means being operable in said open position thereof to connect the corresponding group of associated drive means through said corresponding group manifold to said common manifold.  third valve means selectively operable between open and closed positions;  means connecting said third valve means between said common manifold and said reservoir; and  said third valve means, when selectively operated to said open position, connecting said common manifold to said reservoir, bypassing said orifice. 2. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, wherein: 3. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: 4. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: 5. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: 6. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, wherein: 7. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 6, wherein there are further provided: 8. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 1, wherein: 9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein: 10. A pressurized water reactor system including a pressure vessel having provided threrein, at successively higher elevations, a lower barrel assembly for receiving plural fuel rod assemblies therein in parallel axial relationship, an inner barrel assembly for receiving plural clusters of rods mounted in parallel axial relationship for selectively controlled, axial movement in telescoping relationship with the fuel rod assemblies between a fully inserted position within the lower barrel assembly and a fully withdrawn position within the inner barrel assembly, and a head assembly in sealed communication with the lower and inner barrel assemblies for containing the pressurized reactor coolant fluid within the vessel, and a vent system for selectively driving the rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions, comprising: 11. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 10, further comprising: 12. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 11, further comprising: 13. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 12, further comprising: 14. A pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 10, wherein: 15. A system as recited in claim 14, wherein: 16. A method of operating a pressurized water reactor system including a pressure vessel having provided therein, at successively higher elevations, a lower barrel assembly for receiving plural fuel rod assemblies therein in parallel axial relationship, an inner barrel assembly for receiving plural clusters of rods mounted in parallel axial relationship for selectively controlled, axial movement in telescoping relationship with the fuel rod assemblies between a fully inserted position within the lower barrel assembly and a fully withdrawn position within the inner barrel assembly, a plurality of drive rods respectively connected to said plurality of rod clusters and movable axially therewith through a path of travel corresponding to the movement of the respective rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and the fully inserted positions thereof, and a head assembly in sealed communication with the lower and inner barrel assemblies for containing the pressurized reactor coolant fluid within the vessel, a plurality of drive means being disposed in parallel axial relationship on and extending in seale relationship through the head assembly and in communication with the pressurized coolant fluid therein, each said drive means receiving therein, in sealed relationship, an upper end portion of a corresponding drive rod and permitting relative axial movement thereof through the path of travel, each said drive means having a leakage passage therein through which a leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within said drive means producing substantially no net force acting on the associated drive rod and having an output channel through which the leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass to the exterior of said drive means to create a pressure differential therewithin establishing a net force acting on said drive rod to move same upwardly through said path of travel to the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and mechanical engaging means selectively operable to engage an upper end portion of the drive rod and mechanically support same at the aforesaid fully withdrawn position thereof, a vent connection in communication with the pressurized reactor coolant fluid, and a reservoir maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure, the method of operation providing for selectively driving the rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions, utilizing the reactant coolant fluid pressure, and comprising: 17. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 16, wherein each said drive means of said system includes a stop for limiting the upward path of travel of the associated drive rod when moving to said fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and said mechanical engaging means of each said drive means includes means for mechanically engaging the upper end of the associated drive rod, after said drive rod reaches said limiting stop and as pressure equilibrium becomes established therein and said drive rod begins to fall by force of gravity, thereby to support same at the aforesaid, fully withdrawn position thereof, said method further comprising: 18. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system including a pressure vessel having provided therein, at successively higher elevations, a lower barrel assembly for receiving plural fuel rod assemblies therein in parallel axial relationship, an inner barrel assembly for receiving plural clusters of rods mounted in parallel axial relationship for selectively controlled, axial movement in telescoping relationship with the fuel rod assemblies between a fully inserted position within the lower barrel assembly and a fully withdrawn position within the inner barrel assembly, a plurality of drive rods respectively connected to said plurality of rod clusters and movable axially therewith through a path of travel corresponding to the movement of the respective rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and the fully inserted positions thereof, and a head assembly in sealed communication with the lower and inner barrel assemblies for containing the pressurized reactor coolant fluid within the vessel, a plurality of drive means being disposed in parallel axial relationship on and extending in sealed relationship through the head assembly and in communication with the pressurized coolant fluid therein, each said drive means receiving therein, in sealed relationship, an upper end portion of a corresponding drive rod and permitting relative axial movement thereof through the path of travel, each said drive means having a leakage passage therein through which a leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within said drive means producing substantially no net force acting on the associated drive rod and having an output channel through which the leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass to the exterior of said drive means to create a pressure differential therewithin establishing a net force acting on said drive rod to move same upwardly through said path of travel to the fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and mechanical engaging means selectively operable to engage an upper end portion of the drive rod and mechanically support same at the aforesaid fully withdrawn position thereof, a vent connection in communication with the pressurized reactor coolant fluid, and a reservoir maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure, the method of operation providing for selectively driving the rod clusters between the fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions, utilizing the reactant coolant fluid pressure, and comprising: 19. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 18, further comprising: 20. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 18, wherein each said drive means of said system includes a stop for limiting the upward path of travel of the associated drive rod when moving to said fully withdrawn position of the associated rod cluster, and said mechanical engaging means of each said drive means includes means for mechanically engaging the upper end of the associated drive rod, after said drive rod reaches said limiting stop and as pressure equilibrium becomes established therein and said drive rod begins to fall by force of gravity, thereby to support same at the aforesaid, fully withdrawn position thereof, further comprising: 21. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 20, further comprising: 22. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 20, further comprising: 23. A method of operation of a pressurized water reactor system as recited in claim 22, wherein, for any such selected group in which less than all of said associated drive rods are mechanically engaged in the fully withdrawn position by the corresponding, associated drive means of the selected group, selectively connecting the output channels of the associated drive means to said reservoir for a brief period of time sufficient to drive the mechanically engaged drive rods of the group upwardly and mechanically disengage same from the associated drive means thereof, said time being insufficient for driving any remaining drive rods of the group which are not mechanically latched to a fully withdrawn position; 24. A vent system for a pressurized water reactor system having a pressure vessel including a head assembly and plural hydraulic drive mechanisms disposed in parallel axial relationship on and extending in sealed relationship through the head assembly and in communication with the pressurized coolant fluid therein, each drive means receiving, in sealed relationship, an upper end portion of a corresponding drive rod and permitting relative axial movement thereof through a path of travel between a first, lower position and a second, upper position, and having a leakage passage therein through which a leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass thereby to establish pressure equilibrium within the drive means producing no net force acting on the associated drive rod, and further having an output channel through which the leakage flow of the reactor coolant fluid may pass to the exterior of the drive means to create a pressure differential therewithin establishing a net force acting on the drive rod to move same through the path of travel to the second position, comprising: 25. A vent system as recited in claim 24, further comprising: 26. A vent system as recited in claim 25, further comprising: 27. A vent system as recited in claim 24, further comprising: 28. A vent system as recited in claim 24, further comprising: