Top nozzle adapter plate with fuel rod capture grid having pressure drop adjusting means
This patent describes a top nozzle adapter plate for use in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor. The fuel assembly has elongated structural members and a multiplicity of fuel rods disposed in a predetermined array, the fuel rods being supported in a manner which permits the possibility of upward movement thereof from the fuel assembly when acted upon by hydraulic forces occurring in upward coolant flow through the fuel assembly in the reactor, the adapter plate comprising: (a) an upper structural component capable of rigid connection to the elongated structural members; and (b) a lower functional component connected to the upper structural component and including a grid composed of a plurality of spaced and interleaved straps which extend in vertical planes generally parallel to the direction of coolant flow through the grid and cross one another to form intersections aligned with individual fuel rods in the array thereof. The strap intersections are capable of restraining movement of fuel rods upward from the fuel assembly while defining open channels through the grid which are capable of allowing passage of coolant flow therethrough, the lower component also including adjustable coolant flow directing means being operable to establish a predetermined desired pressure drop across the top nozzle of the fuel assembly.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4762676
- Application Number:
- TRN: 89-003494
- OSTI ID:
- 6535152
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 5 Jul 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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