Nuclear fuel rack lateral support and preload device

Claim 2

A lateral support and preload device for a nuclear fuel rack affixed within an enclosure having a vertical wall, said device comprising: a. a load pad; b. means for moving said pad predominantly horizontally and into contact with said vertical wall in response to an applied force; c. shock absorbing means for applying a preload to said pad subsequent to contact of said pad with said vertical wall in response to a further applied force, said shock absorbing means being of a material free from substantial degradation in the nuclear fuel rack environment; and d. means for mounting said horizontal moving means to said rack.

Claim 3

A lateral support and preload device for a nuclear fuel rack disposed within a vertically walled enclosure, said device comprising: a. a load pad having a flat support surface; b. an arm; c. means for movably mounting said pad to said arm such that said flat support surface is self-aligning with said wall upon horizontal motion of said arm; d. means for moving said arm substantially horizontally in response to an applied force; and e. a metallic shock absorber cooperatively associated with said arm for applying a preload to said pad in response to said applied force.

Claim 4

A lateral support and preload device for a nuclear fuel rack disposed within a vertically walled enclosure, said device comprising: a. a load pad having a flat support surface; b. an arm; c. means for movably mounting said pad to said arm such that said flat support surface is self-aligning with said wall upon horizontal motion of said arm; d. means for moving said arm substantially horizontally in response to an applied force; and e. a metallic shock absorber cooperatively associated with said arm for applying a preload to said pad in response to said applied force.

Claim 5

A nuclear fuel storage rack disposed within a vertically walled enclosure comprising a vertical side, a lateral support and preload device affixed to react against said side having a load pad having a support surface, an arm, means for movably mounting said pad to said arm such that said flat support surface is self-aligning with said vertical side upon horizontal motion of said arm; means for moving said arm predominantly horizontally in response to an applied force; and a shock absorber cooperatively associated with said arm for applying a preload to said pad in response to said applied force such that said preload reacts between said wall and said vertical side, said shock absorber including a plurality of spring washers.

Claim 6

A nuclear fuel storage rack disposed within a vertically walled enclosure comprising a vertical side, a lateral support and preload device affixed to react against said side having a load pad having a support surface, an arm, means for movably mounting said pad to said arm such that said flat support surface is self-aligning with said vertical side upon horizontal motion of said arm; means for moving said arm predominantly horizontally in response to an applied force; and a shock absorber cooperatively associated with said arm for applying a preload to said pad in response to said applied force such that said preload reacts between said wall and said vertical side, said shock absorber including a plurality of spring washers.

Claim 7

The lateral support and preload device of claim 2 wherein said means for moving said arm comprises a scissors-jack device having a vertical drive screw.

Claim 8

A nuclear fuel storage rack assembly positioned within an enclosure having a vertical wall comprising: a. a plurality of vertically oriented rectangular storage cells each sized to removably receive a fuel assembly through an open top; b. means for joining said cells into a rectangular array including a steel beam having a vertical surface parallel to said walls; and c. a lateral support and preload device mounted to said beam including: (i) a load pad having a contact surface; (ii) means for moving said contact surface into contact with said wall in response to an applied force without substituting slippage between said pad and wall; and (iii) flexible means for applying a predetermined preload to said pad subsequent to contact of said pad contact surface and said wall in response to a further applied force.

Claim 9

A nuclear fuel storage rack assembly positioned within an enclosure having a vertical wall comprising: a. a plurality of vertically oriented rectangular storage cells each sized to removably receive a fuel assembly through an open top; b. means for joining said cells into a rectangular array including a steel beam having a vertical surface parallel to said walls; and c. a lateral support and preload device mounted to said beam including: (i) a load pad having a contact surface; (ii) means for moving said contact surface into contact with said wall in response to an applied force without substituting slippage between said pad and wall; and (iii) flexible means for applying a predetermined preload to said pad subsequent to contact of said pad contact surface and said wall in response to a further applied force.

Claim 10

A nuclear fuel storage rack assembly disposed within an enclosure having a vertical wall comprising: a. a plurality of vertically oriented storage cells each sized to removably receive a fuel assembly through an open top; b. means for joining said cells into a rectangular array including a peripheral side member having a vertical surface; and c. a lateral support and preload device mounted to react against said side member including: (i) a load pad having a contact surface; (ii) means for moving said pad such that substantially said entire seating surface positively contacts said wall with minimal frictional restraint between said surface and wall upon said moving; and (iii) means for applying a predetermined preload to said pad subsequent to said positive contact whereby said preload reacts against said wall and said side member.

Claim 11

A nuclear fuel storage rack assembly disposed within an enclosure having a vertical wall comprising: a. a plurality of vertically oriented storage cells each sized to removably receive a fuel assembly through an open top; b. means for joining said cells into a rectangular array including a peripheral side member having a vertical surface; and c. a lateral support and preload device mounted to react against said side member including: (i) a load pad having a contact surface; (ii) means for moving said pad such that substantially said entire seating surface positively contacts said wall with minimal frictional restraint between said surface and wall upon said moving; and (iii) means for applying a predetermined preload to said pad subsequent to said positive contact whereby said preload reacts against said wall and said side member.