Structural member for nuclear reactor pressure tubes

An apparatus for supporting multiple transversely disposed nuclear reactor fuel channel pressure tubes, comprising:

• a) a hollow outer shell having a length;
• b) a sideward partitioning wall disposed internal to said hollow outer shell and having a length;
• c) an upward partitioning wail disposed internal to said hollow outer shell and having a length, said upward partitioning wall forming in conjunction with said sideward partitioning wall a criss cross configuration, said criss cross configuration and said hollow outer shell defining a plurality of closed chambers;
• and
• d) a plurality of support pads disposed internally to said hollow outer shell, said plurality of support pads extending said length of said hollow outer shell and said length of said sideward partitioning wall and said length of said upward partitioning wall, said plurality of support pads supporting a fuel channel pressure tube contained within each of said plurality of closed chambers and forming an air space between each said fuel channel pressure tube and said outer shell and said criss cross configuration of said sideward partitioning wall and said upward partitioning wall, said outer shell in conjunction with said upward partitioning wail and said sideward partitioning wall defining and functioning as an outer calandria tube for said each said fuel channel pressure tube so that said each said fuel channel pressure tube is protected against sags caused by gravity and ultimate cracks and said air space providing conduits for coolant.