Optimized flower tubes and optimized advanced grid configurations
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsXiaoyan (Jane) Jiang, Yiban Xu, Zeses E. Karoutas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the nuclear fuel assembly including a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of generally circular cells and a plurality of helical frame members. The helical frame members are disposed in the cells and are structured to contact the cell as well as a fuel rod. The helical fuel rod contact portion may have a variable pitch.
Claims20
A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, said nuclear fuel assembly including a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, said support grid comprising:
- a plurality of generally tubular frame members defining frame assembly including a plurality of generally cylindrical cells, each said cell including at least one sidewall;
- at least one generally cylindrical tubular member including a cell contact portion with a greater diameter and at least one helical fuel rod contact portion with a lesser diameter, said cell contact portion and said fuel rod contact portion joined by a transition portion, said greater diameter being generally equivalent to said cell radius, and said lesser diameter being generally equivalent to said fuel rod diameter such that a fuel rod disposed in said tubular member would engage said lesser diameter;
- and
- each of said at least one tubular member disposed in one cell of said plurality of generally circular cells so that said cell contact portion engages said cell sidewall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.