Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube with an inner surface defining a central bore, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod including a cam extending radially-outwardly therefrom and an annular collar defining a key slot, an elongated key that is slidably receivable within the key slot, and a holdout collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube and defining a locking recess, wherein the connecting rod is axially-movable with respect to the torque tube between a first position in which the elongated key is disposed within the key slot so that the connecting rod is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second position in which the elongated key is removed from the key slot and the connecting rod is rotatable with respect to the torque tube.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod disposed within the torque tube and including an annular collar defining a key slot, an elongated key that is slidably receivable within the key slot, a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a top end of the connecting rod and including a locking cam, and a holdout collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube, the holdout collar including a locking recess with an entry slot, wherein in a first axial position the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second axial position the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, a control rod assembly including a connecting rod and a spider, a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a bottom end of the connecting rod and including a locking cam, and a locking collar disposed non-rotatably within the spider, the locking collar including a locking recess with an entry slot, wherein in a first axial position the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the torque tube, and a second axial position the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the torque tube.

Abstract: A control rod assembly having a connecting rod, a spider, a plurality of control rods, a coupling sleeve secured to the connecting rod and including a body portion defining at least one cam pin, and a barrel cam defining a cam track, the barrel cam being rotatably secured to the spider. The cam track includes a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured so that the barrel cam rotates in a first direction as the at least one cam pin slides along the first and second camming surfaces. The barrel cam rod is rotatable between a first position in which the spider is connected to the connecting rod and a second position in which the spider is disconnected from the connecting rod.

Abstract: Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

Abstract: Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

Abstract: A desuperheating spray chamber for use in a rocket exhaust recovery system for a nuclear thermal propulsion rocket, including a substantially-cylindrical outer tank with an upper end including an entrance port and two exhaust ports, a substantially-cylindrical shroud extending downwardly from an inner surface of the upper end of the tank, an annular inner spray ring that is both disposed within and concentric with the shroud; and an annular outer spray ring that is disposed between a side wall of the outer tank and the shroud, the annular outer ring being concentric with the shroud.

Abstract: Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core, the fuel assembly having at least one fuel element including an elongated shell defining an interior volume, a lattice structure disposed within the interior volume, at least one flow channel extending through the lattice structure, at least one lattice site disposed in the lattice structure, and at least one fuel compact disposed within a corresponding one of the at least one lattice site, a first end cap including a boss having a first cross-sectional shape, the first end cap being affixed to a first end of the shell, and a second end cap including a first bore having a second cross-sectional shape, the second end cap being affixed to a second end of the shell, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the boss is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bore.

Abstract: A desuperheating spray chamber for use in a rocket exhaust recovery system for a nuclear thermal propulsion rocket, including a substantially-cylindrical outer tank with an upper end including an entrance port and two exhaust ports, a substantially-cylindrical shroud extending downwardly from an inner surface of the upper end of the tank, an annular inner spray ring that is both disposed within and concentric with the shroud; and an annular outer spray ring that is disposed between a side wall of the outer tank and the shroud, the annular outer ring being concentric with the shroud.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core including at least one fuel cartridge having a lattice structure including an outer wall defining an interior volume, at least one flow channel extending through the interior volume of the lattice structure, at least one lattice site disposed in the interior of the lattice structure; and at least one fuel compact disposed within a corresponding one of the at least one lattice site. A cross-sectional shape of the at least one fuel compact is the same as a cross-sectional shape of the corresponding one of the at least one lattice site.

Abstract: Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.