Portable Nuclear Reactor with Thermal Photovoltaic Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial nuclear power plants are costly and time-consuming to build, and green energy systems like solar and wind energy cannot continuously produce power.

Innovation Solution

A compact, portable nuclear power system comprising a nuclear reactor with a core, a high temperature moderator, a neutron screen, and thermal photovoltaic panels or a Stirling engine, capable of generating electricity and cooled by cooling units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If commercial nuclear power plants are used, then continuous power generation is achieved, but high cost and long construction time are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power generationVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the nuclear power system into modular components including a portable reactor core, thermal photovoltaic panels, and cooling units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables faster deployment compared to traditional commercial nuclear plants while maintaining continuous power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical turbine-driven electricity generation system with a thermal photovoltaic system that directly converts thermal radiation from the reactor into electricity. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components and reduces construction time while enabling continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If commercial nuclear power plants are used, then continuous power generation is achieved, but high construction cost is incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power generationVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a portable reactor core designed for flexible deployment and potential relocation, replacing the permanent, expensive infrastructure of commercial nuclear plants. The modular design allows for cost-effective manufacturing and assembly while achieving continuous power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By substituting the mechanical turbine system with thermal photovoltaic conversion, the patent eliminates costly mechanical components and simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing construction costs while maintaining continuous electricity generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If thermal photovoltaic panels are used, then direct electricity generation from thermal radiation is achieved, but heat buildup requires active cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generationVSAvoidpanel temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cooling units as intermediary components that manage thermal energy from the thermal photovoltaic panels. These cooling units act as mediators between the heat-generating panels and the environment, enabling continuous electricity generation by preventing excessive temperature buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides flexible, cost-effective power generation between 0.5 MW and 5 MW, overcoming the limitations of commercial nuclear plants and intermittent renewable energy sources.

Implementation Method 1

one or more thermal photovoltaic panels circumferentially arranged around the neutron screen, the one or more thermal photovoltaic panels configured to absorb thermal radiation received from the high temperature moderator material via the neutron screen and to generate electricity therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 3

one or more cooling units in thermal communication with the one or more thermal photovoltaic panels, the one or more cooling units being operable to cool the thermal photovoltaic panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a flow loop operable to recirculate a gas through the core to cool the core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

a Stirling engine comprising a hot side heat exchanger in thermal communication with the gas in the flow loop and configured to receive heat therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStirling cycle: Stirling Cycle

Data Source

PatentUS20250210214A1Portable nuclear power system

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 NUCUBE ENERGY INC

AI summary

A portable nuclear power system includes a nuclear reactor. The nuclear reactor includes a core comprising a vessel housing a nuclear fuel that produces radiation, a sleeve of a high temperature moderator material disposed circumferentially about the core, and a neutron screen disposed circumferentially about the sleeve. The portable nuclear power system generates electricity using heat received from the nuclear reactor and has one or more cooling units in thermal communication with the electricity generating unit.