End plug with truncated tapered leading end configuration
An improved end plug for attachment on an end of a cladding tube of a nuclear fuel rod which facilitates using a gripper tool for loading the fuel rod into a nuclear fuel assembly is described comprising: (a) an inner portion adapted to be inserted into the end of the tube; and (b) an outer portion adapted to extend from the end of the tube when the inner portion is inserted therein, the outer portion including a body part disposed adjacent the tube end and a leading part disposed remote from the tube end; (c) the leading part having a hollow interior cavity defined therein, a continuous exterior annular truncated surface defined on a terminal end of the leading part and a continuous exterior annular tapered surface defined on a lateral side of the leading part; (d) the exterior tapered surface extending between and merging with the body part and the exterior truncated surface and providing sufficient angular inclination so as to facilitate insertion of the end plug when mounted on the fuel rod tube end into the fuel assembly; (e) the interior cavity in the leading part having an inner end, an outer opening defined at and surrounded by the exterior annular truncated surface and a continuous interior annular wall surface interconnecting the inner end and the outer opening, the interior wall surface being of the same constant diameter from the inner end to the outer opening; (f) the interior wall surface of the cavity having a continuous undercut annular groove; (g) the leading part having a thickness between the exterior tapered surface thereon and the interior cavity undercut groove therein which is less than the radius of the groove and greater than the width of the exterior truncated surface.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4716018
- Application Number:
- TRN: 88-013034
- OSTI ID:
- 5317686
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 12 Nov 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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