Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Reactor structures – Circulating fluid within reactor
Patent
1994-06-20
1995-07-25
Wasil, Daniel D.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Reactor structures
Circulating fluid within reactor
376448, G21C 332
Patent
active
054369460
ABSTRACT:
Leaf-type springs are inserted into slots in an upper tie plate of a nuclear fuel assembly and bear against interior surfaces of the fuel channel to center the upper tie plate within the fuel channel. More robust similarly configured leaf springs are secured in slots in the upper tie plate and are cantilevered for bearing engagement through slots in the fuel assembly channel against the reactor top guide to bias the fuel assemblies toward the control rod. To mount each spring to the upper tie plate, the base of each leaf spring includes a central beam and a pair of outermost beams spaced from the central beam, all beams lying in a common plane. Laterally outwardly directed tabs are provided on the lower ends of the outer beams. Stops are provided intermediate the ends of the outer beams. By inserting the unstressed, unloaded base of the springs into the slots, the outer beams are displaced inwardly into a stressed condition. Once the tabs extend past the lower surface of the tie plate, the beams return to an unloaded, unstressed condition with the tabs and stops locking the springs to the tie plate. The distal ends of the springs bear against the channel or top guide, as applicable, to locate the upper tie plate within the channel and bias the fuel assembly and channel toward the control rod, respectively.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4624829 (1986-11-01), Jackson
patent: 4740350 (1988-04-01), Taleyarkhan
patent: 4859407 (1989-08-01), Nylund
patent: 5309491 (1994-05-01), Lippert et al.
Curulla Michael V.
Elkins Robert B.
Johansson Eric B.
Mefford Carl R.
Spell Jerry T.
General Electric Company
McGinness J. E.
Wasil Daniel D.
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