Support grid with integral vanes

Patent · Tue Jul 04 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5381624

Hatfield, S C

This patent describes a fuel element support grid for supporting nuclear fuel elements intermediate their ends in spaced relation for fluid flow therebetween. The grid includes a polygonal perimeter and fuel element compartments defined by pairs of first and second intersecting and slottedly interlocked wavy grid-forming strips attached to the perimeter and to each other. The improvement consists of: at least some of the compartments defined by pairs of first and second intersecting and slottedly interlocked strips, and some of the pairs of first and second strips including a pair of perimeter edge to perimeter edge matingly intersecting smoothly contoured integral fluid flow directing vane portions curving from the planes of their respective strip portions along at least one adjacent edge of each of the strips of the pair and the strips having bends at at least some intermediate points between strip intersections.

• Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4844860
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-048336A
• OSTI ID: 5381624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
DESIGN
FINS
FUEL ELEMENTS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SUPPORTS