Spacer grid for reducing bowing in a nuclear fuel assembly

Details Spacer grid for reducing bowing in a nuclear fuel assembly Spacer grid for reducing bowing in a nuclear fuel assembly

1979-11-29

1982-04-20

Walsh, Donald P.

Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements

Fuel component structure

Plural fuel segments or elements

376462, G21C 330

Patent

active

043257860

ABSTRACT:
A bi-metallic spacer grid having a Zircaloy perimeter strip consisting of oppositely facing, thin walled metal plates for closely surrounding the array of fuel rods. A rigid, stainless steel cross member extends between internal surfaces of the oppositely facing perimeter plates. In the preferred embodiment, the perimeter plates have cantilevered portions extending above and below the main body of the perimeter strip. The cross members interact with the enlarged portion by urging them outward relative to the perimeter strip as the fuel assembly heats up during operation. The outwardly projecting interface surfaces of each assembly mechanically interact with the interface surfaces of adjacent assemblies providing a mechanical restraint which limits bowing of the assembly. The effectiveness of the spacer grids in limiting bowing is therefore not dependent upon controlling the mechanisms responsible for causing bow.
When the reactor is in a cold condition such as during refueling, the exterior dimensions of the spacer grids are the same as those of the other Zircaloy grids, which assures adequate clearance for insertion and withdrawal of individual fuel assemblies.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3753855 (1973-08-01), Donck
patent: 4059483 (1977-11-01), Anthony
patent: 4155807 (1979-05-01), Schreiber

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