Nuclear reactor cover clamping flange - has ring grooves around its edge permitting axial pretension of flange as spring

摘要

The retention flange is for clamping into position of a nuclear cover of a pressure water nuclear reactor between the pressure vessel and the reactor cover. In the periphery of the cover is a flange which runs at least partly around it, and which is clamped between the two other parts, maintaining a tight union. The flange has at least one ring-shaped groove running around its edge which, in company with the upper and lower flange parts formed by it is so dimensioned that the flange can be pre-tensioned axially as a spring with specific force. Pref. the groove is asymmetrically positioned relative to the thickness of the flange.