Spacer for fuel assemblies of water-cooled nuclear reactors
US4578239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Spacer for centering fuel rods of fuel assemblies in water-cooled nuclear reactors, including a grid of sheet metal webs formed of a zirconium alloy and being disposed on edge, rigid bumps formed from at least some of the webs for contacting a fuel rod, at least some of the webs having relatively wide cutouts and relatively narrow lateral slots formed therein, and resilient contact elements formed of chrome nickel steel and having a head part, a base part, a resilient band connecting the head and base parts together into one piece and a bent-out point formed on the resilient band for contacting a fuel rod, the head and base parts of the contact element being insertable into the cutouts and movable into a locked position in the lateral slots formed in the webs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.