Nuclear reactor fuel rod support grid

Abstract

Abstract A generally rectangular support grid of the egg-crate type for laterally supporting intermediate their ends the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly. Substantially perpendicular wall members form a plurality of openings through which nuclear reactor fuel rods are adapted to extend when mounted in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly. Two opposite walls of each opening have inwardly projecting portions which form substantially rigid support surfaces for a rod. A removable spring is mounted on a third wall of each opening for providing a resilient support surface for the rod. Therefore, three surfaces support the rod against lateral movement while providing for axial movement thereof, and the rod is supported at only three areas around any given peripheral section of the rod. The spring is shaped to cooperate with slots mounted in the third wall so that the spring may be easily installed and removed after the wall members have been permanently assembled to form the grid. Therefore, springs made of different material from that of the grid members may be used. In addition, different size springs may be mounted on the third wall of an opening to accommodate warping of the support grid and variations in the diameters of the rods. The third wall also contains means for reliability locking the spring in place during reactor operation.

Inventors

• 👤 Frank E Muellner
• 👤 Lewis P Sarkozi

Bibliographic Details