Fuel assembly or control assembly with releasable locking between the case and the upper or lower end part of the assembly

US5390222A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Peter Rau · Leutenbach, DE
• Walter Sauermann · Hemhofen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 1993
• Grant date: Feb 14, 1995
• Expiry date: Jun 4, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An fuel or control assembly for a nuclear reactor includes an elongated case having a longitudinal axis, side walls extending parallel to the axis and defining an interior with a polygonal cross section, two ends, a rim, and at least one case opening being surrounded by the rim at one of the ends. The side walls have inner surfaces with a groove-like profile being machined therein and extending at a predetermined distance from the rim. A bundle of rods parallel to the axis or an elongated absorber body is disposed in the interior of the case. An end part has lateral surfaces extending parallel to the axis and being adapted to the polygonal cross section of the interior. The end part has corners disposed between the lateral surfaces being rounded and shaped in the axial direction to form dovetail-like protrusions. The end part is rotatable into a first position relative to the case in which the end part is insertable axially from outside into the opening in the case during installation and in which the end part is axially displaceable outwardly during disassembly. The end part is rotatable into a second position relative to the case for operation of the nuclear reactor. The lateral …