Spacer for retaining fuel rods in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
US5263071A · kind A · utility
19Cited by
10References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacer for retaining parallel, elongated fuel rods includes a plurality of cells which are formed from tubular sleeves internally provided with fixed supports and at least one spring arranged opposite to the fixed supports. The spring is intended to make contact with a fuel rod inserted into the sleeve and is formed as a leaf spring which is cut out of the wall of the sleeve and which, when the sleeve is empty, is bent into the sleeve. The leaf spring is adapted, in tensioned position when the fuel rod is inserted into the sleeve, to be returned to a position substantially coinciding with the wall of the sleeve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.