Lower tie plate cast frame
AssigneeSiemens Power Corporation
InventorsDaniel L. Adams, Ryan D. Liechty, Roland J. DeSteese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lower tie plate for a nuclear fuel assembly is provided via an integral casting including a frame containing a first plurality of guide tube bosses in a central portion thereof, a second plurality of guide tube bosses concentric with the first plurality of guide tube bosses, and a plurality of teardrop shaped struts connecting the first and second guide tube bosses to one another and to the frame. The guide tube bosses serve to respectively directly receive individual guide tube cap screws of guide tubes of the nuclear fuel assembly. The interior top portion of the lower tie plate is configured to receive and support a debris screen.
Claims22
A lower tie plate for a nuclear fuel assembly, said lower tie plate being adapted for retaining in a top portion a debris screen through which coolant flows, comprising:
- an outer frame-like member including a top portion, a bottom portion, and side portions;
- a first plurality of guide tube bosses spaced apart within a centralmost portion of said frame member;
- a second plurality of guide tube bosses spaced apart within said frame in a configuration concentric with the configuration of said first plurality of guide tube bosses;
- a plurality of struts for rigidly connecting said first and second plurality of guide tube bosses to one-another and to said frame in a desired configuration providing a plurality of open cells;
- said first and second plurality of guide tube bosses serving to directly receive guide tube cap screws of a plurality of guide tubes of said nuclear fuel assembly, respectively, for retaining said guide tubes;
- and
- the top portion of the combination of said frame, first and second plurality of guide tube bosses, and plurality of struts being configured for receiving and providing a support structure for said debris screen.
A lower tie plate for a nuclear fuel assembly comprising:
- an outer frame including top, bottom, and side portions;
- a first plurality and a second plurality of guide tube bosses located concentric to one another within said frame, said first plurality of guide tube bosses being arranged about the circumference of a centralmost hole through said tie plate, said first and second plurality of guide tube bosses being adapted for directly receiving guide tube cap screws of a plurality of guide tubes of said nuclear fuel assembly, respectively;
- and
- a plurality of teardrop shaped struts for rigidly connecting said first and second pluralities of guide tube bosses to one-another and to said frame, respectively, in a configuration providing open cells therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.