Nuclear fuel assembly with coolant conducting tube
US4420458A · kind A · utility
21Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a nuclear fuel assembly having a coolant conducting or water tube which also retains the spacers in axial position, the fuel rods experience greater axial growth with exposure than the water tube creating a risk that the water tube might become disengaged from the supporting tie plates. An arrangement for preventing such disengagement is described including lengthened end plug shanks for the water tube, a protective boss surrounding the lower end plug shank to protect it from flow induced vibration, a conical seat for the lower end plug and an arrangement for limiting upward movement of the water tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.