Spacer capture system for nuclear fuel assemblies

Details Spacer capture system for nuclear fuel assemblies Spacer capture system for nuclear fuel assemblies

1973-08-03

1976-10-05

Bentley, Stephen C.

176 78, 176 81, G21C 312

Patent

active

039842843

ABSTRACT:
A spacer capture system for nuclear fuel assemblies of the type in which fuel rods are disposed in parallel array between supporting end plates. At intervals along the fuel rods spacer grids are provided which properly position the fuel rods, reducing vibration and obtaining proper spacing to assure uniform heat removal from the fuel rods during operation. The spacers hold the fuel rods by spring pressure against protrusions formed from the side walls of the grids. The spacers are held in the proper position against vibration and the force of water passing adjacent the tubes by lugs provided on special fuel containing spacer capture rods which engage the protrusions on each spacer and thereby preventing its longitudinal movement relative to the fuel rods. The lugs are so mounted as to permit freeing of the spacer capture rods by a 45.degree. rotation of the spacer capture rods and conversely, the spacers may be locked in position by a 45.degree. rotation of the spacer capture rods from the unlocked position. In a region in which the locking lugs are provided, inert material replaces the nuclear fuel material in order to avoid overheating of the tubes.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3185632 (1965-05-01), Bradley
patent: 3297540 (1967-01-01), Williams et al.
patent: 3736227 (1973-05-01), Nakazato
patent: 3791466 (1974-02-01), Patterson et al.
patent: 3802995 (1974-04-01), Fritz et al.

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