IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

G21C - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Nuclear fission reactors

Reactor fuel elements or their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements

Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator

Control of nuclear reaction

Emergency protection arrangements structurally associated with the reactor

Shielding structurally associated with the reactor

Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general

Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants

Monitoring; Testing

Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel

Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of reactors or parts thereof

Adaptations of reactors to facilitate experimentation or irradiation

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Fusion reactors; hybrid fission-fusion reactors

G21B

Treating radioactively contaminated materials; Decontamination arrangements therefor

G21F 9/00

Nuclear explosives

G21J
Examples of places where the subject matter of this subclass is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Nuclear power plant

G21D

Control of nuclear power plant

G21D 3/00

Production of electric energy from fusion or fission reactions

G21D 7/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Pressure or containment vessels utilizing sub- or super-atmospheric pressure to effect chemical or physical change of matter

B01J 3/00

Cleaning pipes or tubes using methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto

B08B 9/02

Manipulators

B25J

Heat-transfer or heat-exchange or heat-storage materials

C09K 5/00

Pressure vessels in general

F16J 12/00

Shock-absorbers in general

F16F

Tube joints in general

F16L

Cleaning of internal or external surfaces of heat-exchange or heat-transfer conduits, e.g. water tubes of boilers

F28G

Measurement of nuclear radiation

G01T

Electric or magnetic analogue computers, e.g. simulators, for nuclear physics

G06G 7/54

Pumping arrangements for reactor coolant not otherwise covered by G21C 15/24

G21D

Shielded cells or rooms

G21F 7/00

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Core

The central region of a reactor containing fuel and moderator elements, where nuclear fission occurs.

Moderator

Material used in a thermal nuclear reactor to reduce the velocity of neutrons produced by nuclear fission in order to facilitate chain reaction.

Shield

Means surrounding a reactor to prevent radiation damage to operators etc.