Patent · US Expired

Spacer for nuclear reactor fuel assembly

US5404383A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 1993
Grant dateApr 4, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A spacer for retaining a number of elongated fuel rods into a bundle to be placed in a nuclear reactor of BWR or PWR type. The bundle is intended to be traversed in the longitudinal direction by a coolant. The spacer includes a number of cells for the fuel rods surrounded by an outer frame which is formed from a first band standing on edge. This band has possibly been extended by a skirt arranged on the upstream side of the spacer. The band or skirt edge of the spacer located on the upstream side thereof is provided with guiding tabs which are formed from plate flaps which lie in planes which extend in parallel with the flow direction of the coolant and one side edge of which slantingly extends from the first band or skirt edge in an upstream direction towards the center of the spacer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.