Patents – Eugene P. Wigner
(1961–1963) Wigner Home · Resources with Additional Information · Wigner Honored · Patents (1956–1957, 1958, 1959–1960)
US 2,969,311 MEANS FOR PRODUCING PLUTONIUM CHAIN REACTIONS – Wigner,
E. P.; Weinberg, A. M.; Jan 24, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission)
A neutronic reactor is described with an active portion capable of operating
at an energy level of 0.5 to 1000 ev comprising discrete bodies of Pu239 disposed
in a body of water which contains not more than 5 molecules of water to one atom
of plutonium, the total amount of Pu239 being sufficient to sustain a chain reaction.
(auth) US 2,975,115 BELLOWS SEAL ON REACTOR COOLANT TUBE – Wigner, E. P.; Ohlinger, L. A.; Young, G. J.; Mar 14, 1961 A seal is described for use between the gas shell or container of a reactor
and the coolant tubes which extend through the shell or container so that not
only is effective sealing provided but also provision is made for thermal elongation
and contraction of the tubes, removal of the tubes, and effective replacement
of damaged or corroded tubes. US 2,985,574 OVERALL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HIGH FLUX PILE – Newson, H. W.; Durham, N. C.; Wigner, E. P.; Princeton, N. J.; Epler, E. P.; May 23, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A control system is given for a high flux reactor incorporating an anti-scram
control feature whereby a neutron absorbing control rod acts as a fine adjustment
while a neutron absorbing shim rod, actuated upon a command received from reactor
period and level signals, has substantially greater effect on the neutron level
and is moved prior to scram conditions to alter the reactor activity before
a scram condition is created. Thus the probability that a scram will have to
be initiated is substantially decreased.
US 2,986,510 MASSIVE LEAKAGE IRRADIATOR – Wigner, E. P.; Szilard, L.; Christy, R. F.; Friedman, F. L.; May 30, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) An irradiator designed to utilize the neutrons that leak out of a reactor around
its periphery is described. It avoids wasting neutron energy and reduces interference
with the core flux to a minimum. This is done by surrounding all or most of
the core with removable segments of the material to be irradiated within a
matrix of reflecting material. US 2,990,355 MEANS FOR CONTROLLING REACTIONS – Nordheim, L. W.; Wigner, E. P.; Jun 27, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) The patented means is described for controlling a nuclear reactor which comprises
a tank containing a dispersion of a thermally fissionable material in a liquid
moderator and a material convertible to a thermally fissionable material in
a container disposed about the tank. The control means comprises a control
rod chamber, containing only a liquid moderator, disposed within the container
and adjacent to the tank and a control rod designed to be inserted into the
chamber. US 2,990,357 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NEUTRON DENSITY – Wigner, E. P.; Young, G. J.; Weinberg, A. M.; Jun 27, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A neutronic reactor comprising a moderator containing uniformly sized and spaced
channels and uniformly dimensioned fuel elements is patented. The fuel elements
have a fissionable core and an aluminum jacket. The cores and the jackets of
the fuel elements in the central channels of the reactor are respectively thinner
and thicker than the cores and jackets of the fuel elements in the remainder
of the reactor, producing a flattened flux. US 2,993,850 FAST NEUTRON REACTOR – Soodak, H.; Wigner, E. P.; Jul 25, 1961 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A reactor comprising fissionable material in concentration sufficiently high
so that the average neutron energy within the reactor is at least 25,000 ev
is described. A natural uranium blanket surrounds the reactor, and a moderating
reflector surrounds the blanket. The blanket is thick enough to substantially
eliminate flow of neutrons from the reflector.
GB 883,752 NUCLEAR REACTORS – Creutz, E. C.; Ohlinger, L. A.; Weinberg, A. M.; Wigner, E. P.; Young, G. J.; Dec 6, 1961 A reactor of the heterogeneous type is designed. In this reactor, coolant passageways
are formed in the moderator and uranium rods disposed therein with longitudinal
ribs between the rods and the passageway walls. The uranium rods are tubular
with central channels for a coolant. Both the passageways and the rod channels
are lined with a material impermeable to fission products. (D.L.C.)
US 3,052,613 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING A NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTION – Wigner, E. P.; Ohlinger, L. A.; Young, G. J.; Weinberg, A. M.; Sep 1, 1962 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A nuclear reactor is designed incorporating a slurry of uranium-containing
particles in heavy water and including means for circulating the slurry and
for cooling the slurry. (AEC)
US 3,070,529 NEUTRONIC REACTOR – Wigner, E. P.; Dec 25, 1962 (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A reactor is described comprising a plurality of horizontal trays containing
a solution of a fissionable material, the trays being sleeved on a vertical
tube which contains a vertically-reciprocable control rod, a gas-tight chamber
enclosing the trays, and means for conducting vaporized moderator from the
chamber and for replacing vaporized moderator in the trays. (AEC)
US 3,102,851 NEUTRONIC REACTION SYSTEM – Wigner, E. P.; Sep 1, 1963; (to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A nuclear reactor system is described for breeding fissionable material, including
a heat-exchange tank, a high- and a low-pressure chamber therein, heat-exchange
tubes connecting these chambers, a solution of U233 in heavy water in a reaction
container within the tank, a slurry of thorium dioxide in heavy water in a
second container surrounding the first container, an inlet conduit including
a pump connecting the low pressure chamber to the reaction container, an outlet
conduit connecting the high pressure chamber to the reaction container, and
means of removing gaseous fission products released in both chambers. (AEC) |
