Nuclear fuel assembly with expandable top nozzle subassembly
US4986959A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An expandable top nozzle subassembly for a nuclear fuel assembly includes an upper structure having a top plate and a depending peripheral sidewall enclosure, a lower adapter plate disposed below the top plate and within the enclosure with the adapter plate and sidewall enclosure being slidably movable relative to one another so as to move the top plate toward and away from adapter plate, and a plurality of resiliently-yieldable biasing devices extending between and engaging the top plate and lower adapter plate. Interengagable structure on a lower edge of the enclosure and on a peripheral edge of the adapter plate capture and retain the adapter plate within the enclosure upon movement of the enclosure relative to the adapter plate which moves the top plate away from the adapter plate. The biasing devices in the form of coil springs are movable between compressed and expanded states in response respectively to application and removal of a hold-down force on the upper structure in the direction of the adapter plate for permitting and causing movement of the enclosure relative to the adapter plate so as to move the top plate toward and away from the adapter plate and thereby the top …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.