Welded nuclear fuel grid and method

Patent · Tue Feb 16 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5052071

Krawiec, D M

In the fuel element support grid for supporting nuclear fuel elements intermediate their ends, the grid including a generally quadrangular perimeter and fuel element compartments defined by first and second slottedly interlocked grid-forming members attached to the perimeter and joined to each other by small nugget welds at the ends of their lines of intersection, the improvement is described comprising: openings in the grid-forming members interrupting at least some of the lines of intersection to provide accessible exposed adjacent edges of the first and second grid-forming members at points on the lines of intersection, and welds intermediate the length of the lines of intersection in the openings on the accessible exposed edges, whereby a significant increase in grid strength is obtained without creating a significant pressure drop of fluid flowing across the grid.

• Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4725402
• OSTI ID: 5052071
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
APERTURES
FABRICATION
FASTENING
FLUID FLOW
FUEL ELEMENTS
JOINING
JOINTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
OPENINGS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SUPPORTS
WELDED JOINTS
WELDING