Patent Number: 048636754
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to nuclear power systems, and more particularly to a system employing a water cooled reactor. The need for inherently safe nuclear reactors suitable for use in generation of electrical power led to the development of reactors of the type sold by GA Technologies Inc. and/or its predecessors under the trademark "Triga", such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,285, which is assigned to GA Technologies Inc., the assignee of the present invention. One feature which contributes to the safety of Triga reactors is their employment of uranium-zirconium hydride (UZrH) fuel which imparts a large prompt negative temperature coefficient to the core, which inherently shuts down the reactor in the event of a large reactivity insertion. The present invention provides a nuclear power system employing proven technology developed in connection with earlier Triga reactors in conjunction with various novel features set forth below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to provide a compact, self-contained nuclear power supply. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compact nuclear power system which may be readily installed at a remote location with relatively little field work. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nuclear power system composed of a plurality of separate modules which may be individually preassembled prior to installation, and which may be removed and relocated after use at a particular location. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a nuclear power system providing relatively high fuel efficiency at low system temperatures and pressures. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a nuclear power system having passive means to ensure retention of fission products in the event of failure of one or more system components. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nuclear power system suitable for use at remote locations for defense or industrial applications. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear power system which has a relatively low profile and which is relatively compact as viewed in plan. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear power system having novel means for storage of fuel elements within the reactor vessel. Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.