Abstract: A pressure vessel, containment or burst shield for a nuclear reactor has a substantially circular cover surmounting the cylindrical part (shell) of the vessel and is preferably comprised of a plurality of circular or polylateral segments arranged concentrically and stressed inwardly by annular prestressing means. At least the outer polylateral segments and preferably all of the circular segments are provided on the upper surface with upwardly open circular grooves receiving the prestressing arrangement. The latter can comprise an outwardly open channel-shaped (U-section) supporting member receiving the stressing cables and means for transferring the radial stress of the annular stressing arrangement to the ring segment. The latter means may be wedges inserted between the support and a wall of the groove after the stressing arrangement has been placed under stress, e.g. by hydraulic means for spreading the annular stressing arrangement.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, containment or burst shield for a nuclear reactor has a substantially circular cover surmounting the cylindrical part (shell) of the vessel and preferably comprised of a plurality of circular segments arranged concentrically and stressed inwardly by annular prestressing means. At least the outer segments and preferably all of the segments are provided on the upper surface with upwardly open circular grooves receiving the prestressing arrangement. The latter can comprise an outwardly open channel-shaped (U-section) supporting member receiving the stressing cables and means for transferring the radial stress of the annular stressing arrangement to the ring segment. The latter means may be wedges inserted between the support and a wall of the groove after the stressing arrangement has been placed under stress, e.g. by hydraulic means for spreading the annular stressing arrangement.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, containment or burst shield for a nuclear reactor has a substantially circular cover surmounting the cylindrical part (shell) of the vessel and preferably comprised of a plurality of circular segments arranged concentrically and stressed inwardly by annular prestressing means. At least the outer segments and preferably all of the segments are provided on the upper surface with upwardly open circular grooves receiving the prestressing arrangement. The latter can comprise an outwardly open channel-shaped (U-section) supporting member receiving the stressing cables and means for transferring the radial stress of the annular stressing arrangement to the ring segment. The latter means may be wedges inserted between the support and a wall of the groove after the stressing arrangement has been placed under stress, e.g. by hydraulic means for spreading the annular stressing arrangement.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, containment or burst shield for a nuclear reactor has a substantially circular cover (closing the top or bottom of a cylindrical casing or shell) comprised of a plurality of layers, each formed from a multiplicity of segments meeting a central part. The adjoining segments of each layer meet at joints which are staggered with respect to the joints of the adjacent layers above or below and hence no continuous crevices are provided through the cover. Tension members extend through aligned passages of the several layers and provide support against shear and thrust forces.

Abstract: A steam accumulator has an upright vertically elongated vessel provided internally with a guide that subdivides a body of hot water in the vessel into an outer upflow column and a central downflow column. This guide is at least partially formed as a downwardly tapering frustocone and may have an upper portion carried on a float so as to maintain the upper edge of its upper portion a predetermined distance below the surface of a body of water within the vessel. A discharge conduit opens at the extreme upper end of the vessel and may have a section extending downwardly through the liquid body in the vessel.

Abstract: A body of water is confined in a closed vessel and heated to above 100.degree.C. This water is then drawn in a liquid state from this vessel and passed through a first expander where it is separated into steam and condensate. The steam from this first expander is used to drive the first stage of a load and the condensate is passed to another expander where it is again transformed into steam and condensate, the steam being used to drive the second stage of the load. Several such expanders are provided and the condensate from the last expander is fed to a low-pressure storage vessel. The high-pressure vessel is filled almost to the top with water during periods of low power consumption and the water is drawn off during peak-power periods. Superheaters may be provided in the outlet conduits of the expanders and the water at above 100.degree.C may be fed directly into the lower-pressure expanders to maintain their operating efficiency.

Abstract: A pressurized nuclear-reactor core is surrounded by a burst shield having a side wall formed with a plurality of longitudinal passages in which are received longitudinal prestressing elements whose upper ends extend beyond the upper edge of the side wall. The cover is formed with a plurality of holes that register with the passages in the side wall so that the cover can be set over top of the side wall with the upper ends of the prestressing elements projecting beyond the cover. Each prestressing element is provided at its upper end with an anchor body which can bear in force-transmitting relationship either with the side wall of the burst shield through a sleeve received in the cover and having a lower end standing on the upper edge of the side wall and an upper end adjacent the anchor body, or with the cover by means of a removable nut screwed on to the anchor body and engageable in force-transmitting relationship with the cover.

Abstract: A pressurized nuclear-reactor core stands on a base up from which extends a cylindrical side wall formed of a plurality of hollow iron castings held together by circumferential and longitudinal prestressed elements. A cylindrical space between this shield and the core serves for inspection of the core and is normally filled with cast-iron segmental slabs so that if the core bursts pieces thrown out do not acquire any dangerous kinetic energy before engaging the burst shield. The top of the shield is removably secured to the side so that it can be moved out of the way periodically for removal of the filler slabs and inspection of the core. An anchor on the upper end of each longitudinal prestressing element bears against a sleeve pressing against the uppermost side element, and a nut engageable with this anchor is engageable down over the top to hold it in place, removal of this nut leaving the element prestressed in the side wall.