Nuclear fuel assembly with large coolant conducting tube

Patent · Tue Jun 23 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6434497

Nelson, H L; Dunlap, T G; Johnson, E B; Matzner, B

This patent describes a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor comprising elongated fuel rods each containing a column of nuclear fuel; support means providing support positions for retaining the fuel rods in spaced array including a lower tie plate engaging the lower ends of the fuel rods; a nose piece extending from the lower tie plate and forming a coolant receiving chamber; a large diameter elongated coolant conducting tube extending upward through the assembly and occupying the space of the fuel rods, the coolant conducting tube having an opening at its lower end for receiving coolant and an opening at its upper end for discharging coolant; at least one space axially positioned intermediate between the upper and lower ends of the fuel rods for laterally supporting the fuel rods and the coolant conducting tube; and a mounting member for the large diameter coolant conducting tube. The lower end of the mounting member engaging the lower tie plate and the upper end of the mounting member is secured to the lower end of the coolant conducting tube. The mounting member has a relatively small diameter and is relatively flexible compared to the large diameter coolant conducting tube. In the event of lateral displacement of the upper end of the large diameter coolant conducting tube, excessive lateral forces on the spacer are avoided.

• Assignee: General Electric Co., San Jose, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4675154
• OSTI ID: 6434497
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
COOLANTS
FLEXIBILITY
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POSITIONING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
SPACERS
SUPPORTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TUBES