Assembly mechanism for nuclear fuel bundles
In a nuclear power reactor fuel bundle having tie rods fastened to a lower tie plate and passing through openings in the upper tie plate, the assembled bundle is secured by locking lugs fixed to rotatable locking sleeves which engage the upper tie plate. Pressure exerted by helical springs mounted around each of the tie rods urge retaining lugs fixed to a retaining sleeve associated with respective tie rods into a position with respect to the locking sleeve to prevent accidental disengagement of the upper plate from the locking lugs. The bundle may be disassembled by depressing the retaining sleeves and rotating the locking lugs to the disengaged position, and then removing the upper tie plate.
- Assignee:
- Exxon Nuclear Co., Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4064004
- OSTI ID:
- 5167664
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
PWR integral tie plate and locking mechanism
Locking means for fuels bundles. [BWR]