Patent Number: 059303204
Section: claims

1. A support assembly for a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor including a reactor pressure vessel support structure, said support assembly comprising: a support block coupled to the reactor pressure vessel; and  a guide block coupled to the reactor pressure vessel support structure, said support block movably coupled to said guide block.  a reactor pressure vessel;  a reactor pressure vessel support structure; and  at least one support assembly coupled between said reactor pressure vessel and said reactor pressure vessel support structure, said support assembly comprising a support block coupled to said reactor pressure vessel, and a guide block coupled to said reactor pressure vessel support structure, said support block movably coupled to said guide block.  positioning the support assembly between a portion of the reactor pedestal and a portion of the reactor pressure vessel; and  coupling the support block to the reactor pressure vessel. 2. A support assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support block is rigidly coupled to the reactor pressure vessel. 3. A support assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide block is rigidly coupled to the reactor pressure vessel support structure. 4. A support assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide block includes a channel sized to receive a portion of said support block. 5. A support assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said guide block channel is substantially "T" shaped. 6. A support assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one seismic isolator coupled between said guide block and said support block. 7. A support assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reactor pressure vessel includes a flange extending therefrom, and wherein said support block is coupled to said flange. 8. A support assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said flange has a substantially segmented ring shape including a plurality of flange portions, and wherein said support block is coupled to one of said flange portions. 9. A nuclear reactor comprising: 10. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 wherein said support block is rigidly coupled to said reactor pressure vessel. 11. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 wherein said guide block is rigidly coupled to said reactor pressure vessel support structure. 12. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 wherein said guide block includes a channel sized to receive a portion of said support block. 13. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 12 wherein said channel is substantially "T" shaped. 14. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 wherein said support assembly further comprises at least one seismic isolator coupled between said guide block and said support block. 15. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 wherein said reactor pressure vessel comprises a flange extending therefrom, and wherein said support assembly is coupled to said flange. 16. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 9 comprising at least two support assemblies, each said support assembly coupled between said reactor pressure vessel and said reactor pressure vessel support structure. 17. A nuclear reactor in accordance with claim 16 wherein said support assemblies are spaced substantially equidistantly about a circumference of said reactor pressure vessel. 18. A method of reducing stress on a nuclear reactor pressure vessel utilizing a support assembly, the nuclear reactor pressure vessel positioned adjacent a reactor pedestal, the support assembly including a support block movably coupled to a guide block, said method comprising the steps of: 19. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the step of coupling the guide block to the reactor pedestal.