Spacer for retaining fuel rods in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
US5363422A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Spacers (10) with a cell-formed lattice-work for retaining parallel elongated elements such as fuel rods (5) into a bundle in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly are arranged in a suitable spaced relationship to each other along the bundle, and the cells are formed from tubular sleeves (1). Each one of these sleeves (1) offers a passage for one of the elements in order to fix the elements in relation to each other. Substantially half the number of sleeves (1) in a spacer (10), distributed evenly over the cross section of the bundle, are located in a first plane across the bundle and are joined to each other inside a first frame (11) surrounding the bundle, thereby forming a lattice of sleeves (1) and gaps (13). The remaining sleeves (1) of the spacer (10) are joined together inside a second frame (12) surrounding the bundle and are located in a second plane, separate from the first plane, across the bundle. These sleeves (1) also form a lattice of sleeves (1) and gaps (13), the sleeves (1) in the different planes being arranged in such a way that an element fixed by a sleeve (1) in the first plane freely traverses a gap (13) arranged in the second plane and vice versa.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.