AUTOMATICALLY SCRAMMING NUCLEAR REACTOR SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a control element (18) movable relative to a core (16) of the reactor between an upper position (19) and a lower position (19'). An electrically-resistive element (72) is positioned in thermal contact with the core (16) and has a variable resistance that changes in response to a change in temperature of the core (16). A release system is positioned adjacent the core (16). The release systern is operatively associated with the electrically-resistive element (72) and holds the control element (18) in the upper position (19) during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. The release system releases the control element (18) when the temperature of the core (16) changes from a safe operating temperature so that the control element (18) automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position (19') in the core (16).