Interlocking egg-crate type grid assembly
A spacer grid assembly for supporting nuclear fuel pins in a closely-spaced array is described comprising: (a) a first grid strip comprising segments, disposed at an angle to each other with alternate segments being substantially parallel to each other, each of the segments carrying at least one dimple for contacting the fuel pins; (b) a second grid strip comprising segments disposed at an angle to each other with alternate segments being substantially parallel to each other, each alternate segment of the second strip carrying a resilient contact for contacting the fuel pins; (c) a third grid strip comprising segments disposed at an angle to each other with alternate segments being substantially parallel to each other, each of the segments of the third strip carrying at least one dimple for contacting the fuel pins; and (d) interlocking means formed on the grid strips for interlocking the first and third grid strips with the second grid strip to form an array of grid cells having a hexagonal cross section and the segments of the first and third grid strips are substantially coplanar. The locking means include first tabs positioned on alternate segments of the first and third grid strips for interlocking with first slots formed on other alternate segments of the second grid strips that do not carry the resilient contacts.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4714585
- Application Number:
- TRN: 88-013078
- OSTI ID:
- 5388314
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 15 Mar 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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