NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J)

Introduced: September 1968

Description

G21C covers the design, construction, operation, and control of nuclear reactors used for power generation, research, or propulsion. This subclass encompasses reactor types (pressurized water, boiling water, gas-cooled, fast breeder reactors), core designs, fuel elements, coolant systems, and safety mechanisms including containment structures. It includes reactor control systems, neutron moderators, and instrumentation for monitoring reactor performance. Adjacent classes G21D (nuclear fuel elements) and G21F (physical protection of nuclear materials) address specialized fuel and security aspects separately.

Title

Titles differ between systems:

IPC: NUCLEAR REACTORS

CPC: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J)

Full Title

Full titles differ between systems:

IPC:

NUCLEAR REACTORS

CPC:

NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J)

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

Core The central region of a reactor containing fuel and moderator elements, where nuclear fission occurs. Moderator moderators Material used in a thermal nuclear reactor to reduce the velocity of neutrons produced by nuclear fission in order to facilitate chain reaction. Shield shields Means surrounding a reactor to prevent radiation damage to operators etc.

Limiting references

Fusion reactors; hybrid fission-fusion reactors Treating radioactively contaminated materials; Decontamination arrangements therefor Nuclear explosives

Application references

Nuclear power plant Control of nuclear power plant Production of electric energy from fusion or fission reactions

IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 12 subcodes exist in both systems.

5 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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G21C 1/00 Reactor types IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 11/00 Shielding structurally associated with the reactor IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 13/00 Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general (for chemical or physical processes B01J3/00; pressure vessels in general F16J12/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 15/00 Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 17/00 Monitoring; Testing (measuring in general G01); +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 19/00 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 −1 IPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 21/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of reactors or parts thereof (in general section B, e.g. B23) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 23/00 Adaptations of reactors to facilitate experimentation or irradiation since 1980 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 3/00 Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 5/00 Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 7/00 Control of nuclear reaction +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
G21C 9/00 Emergency protection arrangements structurally associated with the reactor (emergency cooling arrangements G21C15/18) +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class G21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 2,364
CGN POWER COMPANY 1,899
CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,870
NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,517
KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,367
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,295
KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,196
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,044
CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 1,011
HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY 955

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class G21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 1,383
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,347
KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,303
CGN POWER COMPANY 1,156
CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,149
KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,146
NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,086
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 765
CEA (COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE) FR 763
CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 659