Grid with holding springs for a nuclear fuel assembly
US5091145A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bracing grid suitable for use in a light water reactor has a plurality of mutually intersecting sets of plates defining cells which receive fuel rods. The plates carry springs for retaining the rods by friction. Each spring is formed has a U legs located each on one side of a plate, the branch being for contact on the elements in two mutually adjacent cells separated by the plate. The two legs are connected by a loop straddling the plate and are connected to each other by a weld at the base of the loop, through a window formed through the plate. The legs of each spring are also mutually connected by mechanical locking means which retain the two legs with respect to each other and with respect to the respective plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.