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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Apparatus for securing structural tubes in nuclear reactor fuel assemblies

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5457755
This patent describes a nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a structural tube with a predetermined inside diameter, a generally cylindrical insert of an axial length substantially smaller than the axial length of the structural tube and having a generally cylindrical passageway of a predetermined diameter smaller than the predetermined inside diameter for providing an effectively reduced inside diameter for the structural tube. The insert comprises: means, having an outside diameter approximately equal to the predetermined inside diameter, for coaxially centering the insert within the structural tube; forming lobes, operable when expanded to locally deform against the structural tube thereby locking the insert within the structural tube.
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4716017
OSTI ID:
5457755
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English