Lower end fitting locknut for nuclear fuel assembly

Abstract

A fuel assembly includes a plurality of fuel rods comprising fissile material, a plurality of guide tubes interspersed amongst the fuel rods, an upper end fitting connected with upper ends of guide tubes, and a lower end fitting. End plugs are connected with the lower ends of the guide tubes. The end plugs have threaded male shafts extending from the lower ends of the guide tubes which pass through openings of the lower end fitting. Female lock nuts are threaded onto the threaded male shafts of the end plugs and lock with the lower end fitting to secure the lower end fitting to the lower ends of the guide tubes. The female lock nuts suitably have locking portions that are outwardly deformed into recesses of the lower end fitting to lock the lock nuts in place after tightening. Dashpot tubes may be disposed in the lower ends of the guide tubes and connected to the end plugs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.