Spacer grid assembly and locking mechanism
A spacer grid assembly is disclosed for retaining a plurality of fuel rods in substantially parallel spaced relation, the spacer grids being formed with rhombic openings defining contact means for engaging from one to four fuel rods arranged in each opening, the spacer grids being of symmetric configuration with their rhombic openings being asymmetrically offset to permit inversion and relative rotation of the similar spacer grids for improved support of the fuel rods. An improved locking mechanism includes tie bars having chordal surfaces to facilitate their installation in slotted circular openings of the spacer grids, the tie rods being rotatable into locking engagement with the slotted openings.
- Research Organization:
- GA Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT03-76SF71023
- Assignee:
- The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- 4,312,706
- Application Number:
- 06/130995
- OSTI ID:
- 864113
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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arranged
assembly
asymmetrically
bars
chordal
circular
configuration
contact
contact means
defining
disclosed
engagement
engaging
facilitate
formed
fuel
fuel rod
fuel rods
grid
grid assembly
grids
improved
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inversion
locking
locking mechanism
means
mechanism
offset
openings
parallel
parallel spaced
permit
plurality
relation
relative
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slotted
spaced
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spacer
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substantially
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symmetric
symmetric configuration
tie
tie bar
tie rods