Fuel rod assembly for a nuclear reactor
A fuel rod assembly is described for a nuclear reactor, the fuel rod assembly including a longitudinally extending tubular cladding member having an inner wall, nuclear fuel and a gas under pressure disposed within the member, and end plugs at opposite ends of the member for sealing the fuel and the pressurized gas within the member. At least one of the end plugs consists of: (a) an upper shoulder portion of a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular member for abutment with the end of the tubular member; and (b) a lower circular body portion integral with the upper shoulder portion and adapted to be inserted into the end of the tubular member in a force fitting relationship, the lower body portion including an outer part adjacent the upper shoulder portion and an inner part adjacent the interior of the tubular member; (c) the inner part of the lower body portion having a flat defined thereon which extends from a top edge of the flat to a bottom edge of the inner part of the end plug lower body portion and generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the tubular cladding member, and a transition surface which extends from the upper edge of the flat to a lower edge of the outer part of the end plug lower body portion and is slanted away from the longitudinal extent of the tubular cladding member, such that upon partial insertion of the lower body portion into the tubular member, the flat defines a gap between the inner wall of the tubular member and the lower body portion so as to provide an orifice for introducing a gas under pressure into the tubular member whereas upon total insertion of the lower body portion, the gap is eliminated and metal-to-metal sealing contact is made between the lower portion of the plug and the one end of the tubular member.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4587094
- OSTI ID:
- 5645618
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Feb 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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