Grids for bringing about the spacing of a group of sheathed fuel rods in a nuclear reactor
US4221636A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 1978 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Spacing grid for a group of fuel rods in a nuclear reactor assembly which comprises an assembly of two groups of thin sheets which are parallel within each group and perpendicular from one group to the next for defining cavities of square cross-section, each of which is traversed by a fuel rod, while substantially in the center of its extension in the region defining two adjacent cavities on either side of the sheet the latter has at least one elastically sprung tongue connected to the sheet and made from a material which differs from that of the sheet, each tongue being bent so as to give a zig-zag profile so that it has at least two bosses bearing respectively against the rods passing through the two cavities, wherein the ends of the tongue are disposed in the plane of the sheet and are engaged in slots provided in the latter in order to hold the tongue in place, while permitting a deflection of its ends as a result of the forces exerted by the rods on the bosses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.