Fuel assembly bottom nozzle with integral debris trap
Patent
·
OSTI ID:5983744
A fuel assembly is described for a nuclear reactor including nuclear fuel rods, at least one grid supporting the fuel rods in an organized array, and at least one guide thimble supporting the grid, an improved bottom nozzle disposed adjacent and below the grid, supporting the guide thimble and adapted to allow flow of liquid coolant into the fuel assembly, the improved bottom nozzle comprising: (a) means spaced below the grid and a lower end of the fuel rods and supporting the guide thimble and allowing flow of coolant into the fuel assembly; (b) means mounted about the supporting means and extending toward but spaced from the grid and lower end of the fuel rods so as to define an open region between the supporting means and the grid and lower end of the fuel rods; and (c) a trap disposed within the open region and on the supporting means, the trap being adapted for passage of the guide thimble through to the supporting means and flow of the coolant for capturing and retaining debris carried by the flowing coolant within the trap to substantially prevent entry of debris into the fuel assembly.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4684495
- OSTI ID:
- 5983744
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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