Nuclear fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor with redundant load chain

US11996207B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FRAMATOME · FR

Inventors

• Dirk Blavius · Erlangen, DE
• Erhard Friedrich · Eckental, DE
• Jens Schaefer · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Markus Singer · Ammerthal, DE
• Sven Finzel · Forchheim, DE
• Szilard Kovacs · Erlangen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 2021
• Grant date: May 28, 2024
• Expiry date: May 4, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A nuclear fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor extends along a fuel assembly axis and includes a base including a lower tie plate, a head including an upper tie plate and a lift handle, a bundle of fuel rods extending axially between the lower tie plate and the upper tie plate, and a water channel extending within the bundle of fuel rods with axially connecting the base to the head such that the load of the base is transferred to the head via the water channel. The fuel assembly further comprises a tie rod extending between the base and the head. The tie rod is axially fixed to the base and connected to the head via a connection assembly comprising a stopping member configured to abut an abutting surface of the head for limiting a downward movement of the base relative to the head during lifting of the fuel assembly, in case of a breakage of the water channel.