Patent ID: 8107584

Claim:
A damping device for use when immersed in liquid coolant in an operating nuclear reactor, the device comprising: a piston configured to attach to a first component immersed in liquid coolant in the operating nuclear reactor, the piston including at least one fluid passage; a housing capturing the piston and configured to attach to a second component immersed in liquid coolant in the operating nuclear reactor, the piston and the housing fabricated of a material substantially maintaining its physical properties in the operating nuclear reactor, the housing being divided into first and second fluid chambers by a head of the piston, the head of the piston being flush with the housing about an outer circumference of the head of the piston; and a damping fluid in the housing damping movement between the piston and housing and flowing through the at least one fluid passage, the damping fluid being chemically compatible with the coolant fluid in the operating nuclear reactor.