Fuel assembly holddown spring
US5053191A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cantilevered hold-down spring (68) for a nuclear fuel assembly (10), comprising an elongated metal bar including a substantially straight long leg portion (66) having one end adapted to be mounted (38) to a fuel assembly, an arcuate transition portion (70) at the other end of the long leg, and a straight short leg portion (76) extending from the transition portion at an acute included angle with the long leg portion, and a load transfer means (64) projecting from the straight leg intermediate the transition portion and the long leg first end. As the load on the primary loading point (80) on the transition portion increases, the load is transferred to the projection (64), thereby effectively shortening and stiffening the spring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.