Electromagnetic ball conveyor

In the operation of a nuclear power reactor, a means of rapid shutdown is required to prevent a “runaway” in case of equipment malfunction. One scheme involves the use of balls having a neutron-absorbing element to control the reactivity. An apparatus has been devised to transport the radioactive boron steel control balls through a stainless-steel tube. Movement through the tube is effected by traveling magnetic waves which pull clusters of balls within them as they progress linearly through the tubes.