Spring retention cap
AssigneeCombustion Engineering, Inc.
InventorStephen C. Hatfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An upper end fitting 14 of a nuclear fuel assembly is provided at two of its opposite corners with spring retention caps 12 having a hook-like structrue defined by an inwardly directed flange 50 engaging a slot 56 in the top nozzle or end fitting 14. The spring packs 20 are retained within the spring retention caps 12 even if one or both spring retention screws 34 break and both the broken screw portions and the springs are maintained in operative position by the cap 12 until reconstitution.
Claims5
In a spring retention cap for a nuclear fuel assembly with an upper end fitting having a leaf spring assembly of a given width and including at least one spring retention fastener, the improvement comprising:
- a body for engaging the end fitting,
- two plane exterior surfaces defining a corner of said body,
- a base transverse to said corner of said body,
- a slot in said base spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said two plane exterior surfaces,
- an inwardly directed flange formed by a portion of said base and extending inwardly from said plane exterior surfaces to define a slot opening slightly larger than the given width of said leaf spring assembly,
- and means for securing said retention cap in position with an end of said leaf spring assembly and a spring retention fastener covered thereby.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.