Axially shaped channel and integral flow trippers

Patent · Tue Jun 07 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7131616

Crowther, R L; Johansson, E B; Matzner, B

A fuel assembly is described comprising fuel rods positioned in spaced array by upper and lower tie-plates, an open ended flow channel surrounding the array for conducting coolant upward between a lower support plate having coolant communicated thereto to an upper support grid having a steam/water outlet communicated thereto. The flow channel surrounds the array for conducting coolant about the fuel rods. The open ended channel has a polygon shaped cross section with the channel constituting a closed conduit with flat side sections connected at corners to form the enclosed conduit; means separate from the channel for connecting the upper and lower tie-plates together and maintaining the fuel rods in spaced array independent of the flow channel. The improvement in the flow channel comprises tapered side walls. The tapered side walls extend from an average thick cross section adjacent the lower support plate to an average thin cross section adjacent the upper core grid whereby the channel is reduced in thickness adjacent the upper core grid to correspond with the reduced pressure adjacent the upper core grid.

• Assignee: General Electric Co., San Jose, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4749543
• OSTI ID: 7131616
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLANTS
DESIGN
DUCTS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL CHANNELS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
HYDRAULICS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MECHANICS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTOR CHANNELS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
STEAM
SUPPORTS
WATER