Flow channel to nozzle attachment for nuclear fuel assembly

Patent · Tue May 05 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6522999

Nelson, H L

This patent describes a nuclear fuel assembly including fuel rods supported in spaced array upon a lower tie plate, a nozzle adjacent the lower tie plate for receiving a flow of coolant, a tubular flow channel surrounding the array for directing the coolant through the array of fuel rods. The lower end of the flow channel surrounds the sides of the nozzle. The nozzle is formed of a material having a greater thermal coefficient of expansion than the material of the channel attachment means the lower end of the channel to the sides of the nozzle comprising: grooves having tapered sides formed in the sides of the nozzle around the periphery attachment bars formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion similar to that of the channel. Each of the bars being in a respective one of the grooves of the nozzle and form with tapered sides mated with the tapered sides of the respective groove. Means secure the bars to the inside surfaces of the lower end of the channel around the periphery. The angle of the mating taper between the attachment bars and the grooves is selected such that the fit between the bars and the grooves is maintained with changes in temperature without substantial stress of the lower end of the channel.

• Assignee: General Electric Co., San Jose, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4663118
• OSTI ID: 6522999
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
COOLANTS
EXPANSION
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL CHANNELS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
INCIDENCE ANGLE
MATERIALS
NOZZLES
REACTOR CHANNELS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
STRESSES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMAL EXPANSION