Controlled Temperature Housing for Nuclear Reactor Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear reactors generate high temperatures that can exceed the operational limits of sensitive electronic equipment, such as stepper motors and electro-mechanical latches, necessitating a controlled temperature environment to prevent overheating.
Innovation Solution
A controlled temperature housing is designed to passively maintain temperatures at or below a predetermined threshold (250°F) by using multi-layer insulation, coatings to reduce emissivity, and a shaft thermal break, while minimizing the mass and volume of the housing to house electronic components within the reactor canister, thereby containing the working fluid and reducing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a controlled temperature housing is designed to passively maintain temperatures at or below 250°F using multi-layer insulation and coatings, then the temperature control effectiveness is improved, but the mass and volume of the housing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple thermal zones using internal plates spaced at different distances from the reactor core. The first internal plate is positioned closer to the core while the second internal plate is positioned farther away, creating segmented thermal barriers that progressively reduce heat transmission to the motor housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Multi-layer insulation materials and low-emissivity coatings are introduced as intermediary layers between the heat source (reactor core) and the temperature-sensitive equipment (motor). These intermediary layers block and reflect thermal radiation, reducing heat transfer without requiring thick housing walls.
2Reliability
If the controlled temperature housing is designed to house electronic components within the reactor canister, then the equipment protection is improved, but the available volume for component placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled temperature housing is nested within the reactor canister volume, and the motor is nested within the controlled temperature housing. This nested arrangement allows efficient use of space by placing temperature-sensitive components inside the protected thermal envelope rather than outside it.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal plates are positioned at different axial distances from the reactor core, creating a three-dimensional thermal gradient. This spatial arrangement allows the motor to be positioned in a region where the cumulative effect of multiple thermal barriers maintains acceptable temperatures while maximizing use of available volume.
3Reliability
If active cooling systems are used to maintain motor temperature, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts the harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial passive thermal management system. The housing structure itself, with its multi-layer insulation and strategic plate positioning, acts as a thermal barrier that passively limits heat transmission to the motor, eliminating the need for active cooling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled temperature housing provides self-service temperature control through its inherent thermal design. The multi-layer insulation and low-emissivity coatings automatically regulate heat flow without requiring external control systems, sensors, or energy input, making the system self-regulating and fail-safe.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively creates a temperature-controlled environment for sensitive equipment, reducing the need for active cooling systems and minimizing fluid leakage, thus maintaining equipment within safe temperature ranges and optimizing the reactor's design for efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The controlled temperature housing comprises a multi-layer insulation positioned against internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity
Implementation Method 2
The controlled temperature housing comprises a coating applied to internal surfaces of the controlled temperature housing to reduce emissivity
Implementation Method 3
The controlled temperature housing comprises a proximal end attached to the container, a thermal shield plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end
Implementation Method 4
The shaft comprises a shaft thermal break, a proximal shaft comprising a distal end coupled to the shaft thermal break, and a distal shaft comprising a proximal end coupled to the shaft thermal break
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a nuclear reactor, comprising: a canister, a nuclear reactor core housed inside of the canister, and a controlled temperature housing attached to the canister. The nuclear reactor core comprises a control drum and a shaft extending from the control drum and out of the nuclear reactor core. Heat generated by the nuclear reactor core enters the controlled temperature housing. The controlled temperature housing comprises a proximal end attached to the canister, a first internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the proximal end, a second internal plate spaced from and positioned distal to the first internal plate, and a motor mounted to the second internal plate. The shaft enters the controlled temperature housing through the proximal end and extends to the motor. The controlled temperature housing is to passively maintain the motor at a temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature threshold.