Patent Description:
Nuclear power reactor systems have been provided to protect the reactor in the event of war or terrorism. Applicant has previously received several patents which represent significant advances in the nuclear power reactor art. See for example, <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. However, none of Applicant's prior patents have dealt with a convenient means for removing the nuclear power reactor from its confinement member for service or replacement. Further, none of Applicant's patents or prior art patents of which he is aware are capable of mitigating the blast or explosion of the nuclear power reactor should such blast or explosion occur. Additionally, document <CIT> discloses an in-ground nuclear power reactor known from the state of the art.

The present invention provides an in-ground nuclear power reactor in accordance with claim <NUM>. Further optional features are defined in the dependent claims.

In Applicant's pending application Serial No. <CIT> entitled DOUBLE CONTAINMENT NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR WITH PASSIVE COOLING AND RADIATION SCRUBBING, an improvement in the art is described. Inasmuch as the instant invention works extremely well with the invention of the pending application, the pending application is disclosed and repeated herein to set the proper background for the instant invention.

The underground nuclear power reactor with which the instant invention is associated is defined in claim <NUM>,with more specific implementation being defined in the following dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

As stated hereinabove, the specification and drawings of the pending application will be repeated herein with Applicant's instant application being described in detail hereinafter. Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Applicant has previously received <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT> relating to nuclear power reactors. Applicant's earlier patents relate to floating nuclear power reactors and the instant invention relates to an underground double containment nuclear power reactor. Further, as used herein, the term fluid may include steam.

The underground double containment nuclear power reactor of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral <NUM> (<FIG>). The ground in which the underground double containment nuclear power reactor <NUM> is buried will be referred to by the reference numeral <NUM> with the ground level or upper surface thereof being referred to by the reference numeral <NUM>.

The underground double containment nuclear power reactor <NUM> includes a first containment member <NUM>. Containment member <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM> having a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, a first side <NUM>, a second side <NUM>, an upper side <NUM> and a lower side <NUM>. An upstanding first end wall <NUM>, having a lower end <NUM>, an upper end <NUM>, a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. As seen, end wall <NUM> has an outer side <NUM>' and an inner side <NUM>'. An upstanding second end wall <NUM>, having a lower end <NUM>, an upper end <NUM>, a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, extends upwardly from end <NUM> of bottom wall <NUM>. As seen, end wall <NUM> has an outer side <NUM>' and an inner side <NUM>'.

An upstanding first side wall <NUM>, having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, extends upwardly from the first side <NUM> of bottom wall <NUM>. The end <NUM> of side wall <NUM> is joined to the end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>. The end <NUM> of side wall <NUM> is joined to the end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>.

An upstanding second side wall <NUM>, having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, extends upwardly from the second side <NUM> of bottom wall <NUM>. The end <NUM> of side wall <NUM> is joined to the end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>. The end <NUM> of side wall <NUM> is joined to the end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>.

The numeral <NUM> refers to the top wall or roof of the first containment member <NUM> which is positioned on the upper end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>, the upper end <NUM> of end wall <NUM>, the upper end of side wall <NUM> and the upper end of side wall <NUM> and is joined thereto. As seen, the top wall or roof <NUM> is located below the upper surface or ground level <NUM> and is completely buried in the ground <NUM> which provides protection against air strikes, missile strikes, or other acts of terror or war. As seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the containment member <NUM> may have an oblong configuration as viewed from the upper end thereof or it may have a rectangular shape such as seen in <FIG>. If the rectangular configuration is employed, rounded portions may be provided on the upper ends of the side walls and end walls of the containment member <NUM>.

The first containment member <NUM> is preferably comprised of concrete but could be comprised of steel or the like. As will be shown in the drawings, some other versions of the single layer of concrete of <FIG> could be employed. The numeral <NUM> refers to an optional tank or frame which is positioned in the interior of containment member <NUM>. Tank <NUM> is identical to the barge <NUM> described and shown in <CIT> and will not be described in detail other than to describe that the tank <NUM> has a bottom wall, a first end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an open second end and an open upper end. Tank <NUM> is comprised of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum or other suitable material.

An upstanding second containment member <NUM> is positioned in the interior of the first containment member <NUM> and in the tank <NUM> as seen in the drawings. Containment member <NUM> is preferably comprised of steel but could be formed with other materials. Containment member <NUM> will be described as having a generally cylindrical body section <NUM>, a lower section <NUM> and an upper section <NUM>. Containment member <NUM> closes the open second end of the tank <NUM> just like the nuclear reactor <NUM> closes one end of the barge <NUM> in <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

Containment member <NUM> has a water outlet <NUM> secured thereto in the upper section <NUM> thereof. Containment member <NUM> also has an exhaust outlet <NUM> formed therein in the upper section <NUM> thereof as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Containment member <NUM> also has a one-way water inlet opening or pipe <NUM> formed in the lower section <NUM> thereof. As seen, the lower end of the containment member <NUM> is positioned on the upper side of the bottom wall of the tank <NUM>, if the optional tank <NUM> is utilized, which is positioned on the upper side <NUM> of bottom wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM>. If the optional tank <NUM> is not utilized, the lower end of containment member <NUM> will be positioned on the upper side <NUM> of bottom wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM>.

The numeral <NUM> refers to a nuclear reactor vessel which is positioned in containment member <NUM> and which has an interior compartment <NUM>. For purposes of description, reactor vessel <NUM> will be described as having an upper end <NUM> and a lower end <NUM>. Reactor vessel <NUM> is spaced from containment member <NUM> to define an interior compartment <NUM> therebetween. Interior compartment <NUM> of reactor vessel <NUM> contains fluid <NUM> and rods <NUM> in conventional fashion. The water inlet opening <NUM> is in fluid communication with the interior compartment <NUM>. The water outlet opening <NUM> is in fluid communication with the interior of containment member <NUM>.

Vessel <NUM> is provided with a plurality of radially spaced-apart tubes <NUM> which extend outwardly from reactor vessel <NUM> in the upper section of reactor vessel <NUM>. Valves <NUM> and <NUM> are imposed in each of the tubes <NUM>. An elongated and vertically disposed cooling tube <NUM> extends downwardly from the outlet side of each of the valves <NUM> in interior compartment <NUM>. A pair of valves <NUM> and <NUM> are imposed in the lower ends of each of the cooling tubes <NUM>. The discharge side of each of the valves <NUM> is in communication with a pipe <NUM> which is in communication with the interior compartment <NUM> of vessel <NUM>.

A tube <NUM> extends from vessel <NUM> below the upper end <NUM> of vessel <NUM> and extends outwardly through containment member <NUM> and has a valve <NUM> imposed therein. A tube <NUM> extends from vessel <NUM> at the lower end thereof with the inner end of tube <NUM> being in fluid communication with the interior compartment <NUM> of vessel <NUM>. A valve <NUM> and an electric pump <NUM> are imposed in tube <NUM>. The reason for having the two valves <NUM> and <NUM> connected to each of the tubes <NUM> is to provide a back-up valve if one of the two valves malfunction. The reason for having the two valves <NUM> and <NUM> connected to each of the tubes <NUM> is to provide a back-up valve if one of the two valves malfunctions.

The number <NUM> refers to an upstanding heat exchanger which is positioned adjacent containment member <NUM> as seen in the drawings. Heat exchanger <NUM> includes an upstanding outer support <NUM>, the lower end of which rests on the bottom wall of the tank <NUM> if tank <NUM> is used. If tank <NUM> is not used, the lower end of the heat exchanger <NUM> rests on the bottom wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM>. A vessel <NUM> is positioned within outer support <NUM>. Outer support <NUM> and vessel <NUM> define an interior compartment <NUM> therebetween. In some cases, the outer support <NUM> may not be necessary. At any rate, fluid <NUM> is contained in vessel <NUM>.

The tubes <NUM> and <NUM>, which extend from the interior of vessel <NUM>, extend outwardly through containment member <NUM>, through the outer support <NUM> of heat changer <NUM> and into the interior of vessel <NUM> and are connected to a vertically disposed tube <NUM> which is positioned in the interior of vessel <NUM>.

Referring now to the drawings, a tube <NUM> extends from the upper end of vessel <NUM>, through outer support <NUM> to a conventional turbine <NUM> which drives a device <NUM> such as a generator. A tube <NUM> extends from turbine <NUM> to a conventional condenser <NUM>. A water input line <NUM> extends from condenser <NUM> and has valves <NUM> and <NUM> imposed therein. Line <NUM> also has an optional pump <NUM> imposed therein. Line <NUM> extends from condenser <NUM> outwardly through end wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM> into the ground <NUM>. Line <NUM> has valves <NUM> and <NUM> imposed therein. Line <NUM> also has an optional pump <NUM> imposed therein.

The numeral <NUM> refers to a tube which extends outwardly through end wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM> into the ground <NUM>. Tube <NUM> has a valve <NUM> imposed therein and an optional pump <NUM> imposed therein. Tube <NUM> extends from condenser <NUM> to the interior compartment <NUM> of vessel <NUM> of heat exchanger <NUM>.

The structure of <FIG> is identical to the structure of <FIG> except that the tubes <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> go outwardly through the side wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM> rather than the end wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM>.

Line or tube <NUM> extends from condenser <NUM> to a source of water <NUM> which is positioned at ground level <NUM> and below. Water <NUM> may be a singular tank or an oblong body of water such as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. As seen, the source of water <NUM> is concrete lined. With respect to line <NUM>, the force of gravity should supply the needed water to condenser <NUM> but pump <NUM> ensures that an adequate amount of water will be supplied to condenser <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, line or tube <NUM> fluidly connects the source of water <NUM> with the interior of containment member <NUM>. Line <NUM> has a valve <NUM> imposed therein. As also seen in <FIG>, a line or tube <NUM> fluidly connects the source of water <NUM> and the inlet pipe <NUM> to supply cooling water to the interior compartment <NUM> of containment member <NUM>. A valve <NUM> is imposed in line <NUM>. Line <NUM> also includes a flexible or slack portion <NUM>.

The numeral <NUM> refers to a conventional radiation scrubber having a vent <NUM>. Tube <NUM> connects radiation scrubber <NUM> to the interior of containment member <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. Line <NUM> connects radiation scrubber <NUM> to the outlet pipe <NUM> at the upper end of containment member <NUM>. Line <NUM> includes a flexible portion <NUM> therein.

<FIG> is identical to <FIG> except that cooling water has been supplied to the interior of compartment <NUM> of containment member <NUM>, by gravity flow, so as to surround reactor vessel <NUM>. Excess water in compartment <NUM> will flow outwardly from outlet pipe <NUM> into the interior of containment member <NUM>. Any radiation fumes in the upper part of containment member <NUM> will pass upwardly to the radiation scrubber <NUM> by way of line <NUM>. Any radiation fumes in the upper part of interior compartment <NUM> will pass upwardly to the radiation scrubber <NUM> by way of line <NUM>.

When the nuclear reactor of this invention is functioning in a conventional manner, as seen in <FIG>, the valves <NUM> and <NUM> in lines <NUM> and <NUM> respectively will be closed. The valves <NUM> and <NUM> in lines <NUM> and <NUM> respectively will be open and pump <NUM> in line <NUM> will be active. The heated fluid or steam created in the interior compartment <NUM> of reactor vessel <NUM> will be discharged into the heat exchanger <NUM> by way of the tube <NUM>. The heated fluid therein will pass through tube <NUM> and valve <NUM>, through tube <NUM> and outwardly through the tube <NUM>, pump <NUM> and valve <NUM> into the interior of compartment <NUM> of reactor vessel <NUM> with the flow being aided by the electric pump <NUM>.

When the nuclear reactor of this invention is functioning in a conventional manner, the valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> will be open so that fluid may pass through the cooling tubes <NUM>. If there is a break in one of the tubes <NUM>, the valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the associated tubes <NUM> will close to avoid loss of fluid from the broken tube <NUM>. The reason for having two valves <NUM> and <NUM> at the outer end of each of the tubes <NUM> is for one of the valves functioning as a back-up valve in the event of one of the valves malfunctioning. The same is also true for having two valves <NUM> and <NUM> at the lower end of each of the cooling tubes <NUM>.

The heated fluid or steam <NUM> in vessel <NUM> in heat exchanger <NUM> passes through line <NUM> to turbine <NUM> to drive the same in conventional fashion. Turbine <NUM> drives the device <NUM> in conventional fashion. The fluid or steam within turbine <NUM> is discharged therefrom into condenser <NUM> by way of tube <NUM>. The fluid or steam supplied to condenser <NUM> is returned to the lower end of vessel <NUM> by line <NUM>.

If the nuclear reactor becomes overheated or over pressurized, the valve <NUM> in line <NUM> will be opened to supply water to flood the interior compartment <NUM> of containment <NUM> by gravity. Cooling water in the interior compartment <NUM> will surround the cooling tubes <NUM>. The valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are normally open and this allows hot fluid from the interior compartment <NUM> to circulate from the upper end of interior compartment <NUM> through cooling tubes <NUM> to the lower end of interior compartment <NUM>. Heat from the hot fluid in the cooling tubes <NUM> conducts across the wall of cooling tube <NUM> to the cold water surrounding cooling tube <NUM>. This cools the fluid inside cooling tube <NUM>. As the fluid cools, it becomes denser than hot fluid and drops down to the lower part of vessel <NUM>. Inside the vessel <NUM>, residual heat from the hot rods <NUM> heats the fluid making the fluid less dense. Less dense fluid raises and moves to the upper section of vessel <NUM> and enters the upper end of tube <NUM> which is surrounded by cold water and cools again inside the cooling tubes <NUM>, thereby creating a convection current cycle. The convection current cycle results in cooling the reactor.

If needed, valve <NUM> may be opened so that cooling water from the source of water <NUM> will flood the interior of containment member <NUM>. The level of water within the first containment member <NUM> will be controlled by the valve <NUM> and pump <NUM> in line <NUM>.

In summary, the new features of the invention of the pending application with respect to Applicant's earlier patents are set forth below:.

The reference numeral <NUM> refers to the blast mitigation assembly of the instant invention. The underground nuclear reactor of the pending application is modified somewhat to accommodate the connection of the blast mitigation assembly thereto. The end wall <NUM> of containment member <NUM> is partially cut-away to form a door opening <NUM> therein which is large enough to permit the nuclear reactor <NUM>, heat exchanger <NUM> and related equipment to be moved therethrough for purposes of repair or replacement. The right ends of the source of water <NUM>, as viewed in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, is removed with the right ends of the source of water <NUM> being sealed or closed.

Blast mitigation assembly <NUM> includes an elongated hollow tunnel member <NUM> having an inner end <NUM> and an outer end <NUM>. Tunnel member <NUM> includes a horizontally disposed bottom wall <NUM>, an upstanding outer end wall <NUM>, an upper wall <NUM>, a first side wall <NUM> and a second side wall <NUM>. The walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of tunnel member <NUM> defines an internal blast mitigation chamber <NUM>. The inner end of blast mitigation chamber <NUM> has a door opening <NUM> formed therein which registers with the door opening <NUM> in containment member <NUM>. A door <NUM> is hingedly mounted in the door openings <NUM> and <NUM> and is preferably comprised of steel. Door <NUM> is normally closed but may move to the open position as will be described in detail hereinafter.

A plurality of elongated and vertically disposed deflectors <NUM> are secured to the inside surface of wall <NUM> in a horizontally spaced-apart manner as seen in the drawings. A plurality of elongated and vertically disposed deflectors <NUM> are also secured to the inside surface of wall <NUM> in a horizontally spaced-apart manner as seen in the drawings. As seen, the deflectors <NUM>, which extend inwardly from wall <NUM>, are horizontally offset with respect to the deflectors <NUM> which extend inwardly from wall <NUM>. Preferably, the deflectors <NUM> are comprised of concrete but may be comprised of steel or the like if so desired.

Preferably, each of the deflectors <NUM> have a triangular cross-section or trapezoidal cross-section which define an angular leading face 214A and a trailing face 214B. Preferably, the lower ends of the deflectors <NUM> rest on the upper side of the bottom wall <NUM>. Preferably, the deflectors <NUM> are selectively secured to their respective side walls by flanges <NUM> and bolts <NUM>. The inner ends of the flanges <NUM> are embedded in the respective deflector <NUM> with the outer ends thereof being bolted to the respective side wall. The attachment of the deflector <NUM> to the respective side wall enables the deflectors to be removed from the chamber <NUM> to enable the interior thereof to be cleaned and to also move the nuclear power reactor therethrough for repair or replacement. The numeral <NUM> refers to a roof portion which selectively closes a roof opening <NUM> formed in upper wall <NUM>. A plurality of radiation filters <NUM> are in communication with the blast mitigation chamber <NUM> to filter and vent the blast mitigation chamber <NUM> of radiation.

There comes a time when the reactor <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM> must be repaired or replaced. In such a case, the roof portion <NUM> is raised to open the roof opening <NUM>. The door <NUM> will then be moved to its open position. Normally, the deflectors <NUM> on the walls <NUM> and <NUM> will be removed from the blast chamber <NUM> so that the reactor <NUM>, etc., may be removed from containment member <NUM>. The reactor <NUM> etc. are then moved through door openings <NUM> and <NUM>, through blast chamber <NUM> and outwardly through roof opening <NUM> for repair or replacement.

Door <NUM> includes a closing mechanism which is designed to let door <NUM> to open when the door <NUM> is subjected to a pre-determined blast pressure should the reactor shatter due to being over-pressurized. The shattering of the reactor also causes the shattering and mangling of the other components in the containment member <NUM> such as steam generator, turbine, generator, condenser and supporting structure. The shattered reactor and components associated therewith strike the door <NUM>, which is opened by the blast forces, whereby the mangled pieces of the reactor and other components to be blasted through the door openings <NUM> and <NUM> and into the blast mitigation chamber <NUM>.

The pressure waves and the shattered pieces of the reactor strike the innermost deflector <NUM> on wall <NUM> thereby causing some reduction in the blast force. The shattered pieces of the reactor and components are re-directed to the next deflector <NUM> on wall <NUM> and thence back and forth to the deflectors <NUM> to the end of the chamber <NUM> whereby the blast forces are reduced each time the shattered pieces strike the leading faces of the deflectors <NUM>. Eventually, the blast force is reduced to a safe level so that roof portion <NUM> may be opened so that the blast mitigation chamber <NUM> may be cleaned and so that the containment member <NUM> may also be cleaned. The radiation filters <NUM> filter and vent the blast chamber <NUM> of radiation. The radiation filters <NUM> also reduce the pressure within the blast chamber <NUM> somewhat.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claim 1:
An in-ground nuclear power reactor, comprising:
a containment member (<NUM>) having a wall, a bottom wall (<NUM>), a first end wall (<NUM>), a second end wall (<NUM>), a first side wall (<NUM>), a second side wall (<NUM>), an upper wall (<NUM>) and an interior compartment;
a nuclear reactor (<NUM>) positioned in said interior compartment of said containment member;
said second end wall (<NUM>) of said containment member (<NUM>) having a door opening (<NUM>) formed therein;
a hollow blast tunnel (<NUM>) having an inner end (<NUM>), an outer end (<NUM>), a first side wall (<NUM>) having inner and outer sides, a second side wall (<NUM>) having inner and outer sides, a bottom wall (<NUM>), an upper wall (<NUM>) and a blast mitigation chamber (<NUM>), wherein a plurality of spaced-apart first deflectors (<NUM>) are mounted on said inner side of said first side wall (<NUM>) and a plurality of spaced-apart second deflectors (<NUM>) are mounted on said inner side of said second side wall (<NUM>);
said inner end (<NUM>) of said blast tunnel (<NUM>) having a door opening (<NUM>) formed which communicates with said door opening (<NUM>) in said second end wall (<NUM>) of said containment member (<NUM>);
a door (<NUM>) movably positioned in said door openings (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
said door (<NUM>) being normally closed but being movable to an open position upon a predetermined blast force being exerted thereon should the nuclear reactor (<NUM>) explode whereby debris from said exploded nuclear reactor will pass through said door openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) into said blast mitigation chamber (<NUM>).