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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Locking means for fuels bundles. [BWR]

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7287213
A nuclear power reactor fuel bundle is described which has a plurality of fuel rods disposed between two end plates positioned by tie rods extending therebetween. The assembled bundle is secured by one or more locking forks which pass through slots in the tie rod ends. Springs mounted on the fuel rods and tie rods are compressed by assembling the bundle and forcing one end plate against the locking fork to maintain the fuel rods and tie rods in position between the end plates. Downward pressure on the end plate permits removal of the locking fork so that the end plates may be removed, thus giving access to the fuel rods. This construction facilitates disassembly of an irradiated fuel bundle under water.
Assignee:
Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 4038137
OSTI ID:
7287213
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English