초록 ▼

An alignment system is provided for nuclear fuel assemblies in a nuclear core. The core support structure of the nuclear reactor includes upwardly pointing alignment pins arranged in a square grid and engage peripheral depressions formed in the lateral periphery of the lower ends of each of the fuel

An alignment system is provided for nuclear fuel assemblies in a nuclear core. The core support structure of the nuclear reactor includes upwardly pointing alignment pins arranged in a square grid and engage peripheral depressions formed in the lateral periphery of the lower ends of each of the fuel assemblies of the core. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions are located at the corners of the fuel assemblies so that each depression includes one-quarter of a cylindrical void. Accordingly, each fuel assembly is positioned and aligned by one-quarter of four separate alignment pins which engage the fuel assemblies at their lower exterior corners.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved nuclear reactor of the type having a vessel containing a core therewithin, said vessel and said core having parallel longitudinal axes, the improvement comprising: (a) a nuclear core comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally extending, regularly spaced, vertically disposed fuel assembl

An improved nuclear reactor of the type having a vessel containing a core therewithin, said vessel and said core having parallel longitudinal axes, the improvement comprising: (a) a nuclear core comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally extending, regularly spaced, vertically disposed fuel assemblies, each of said fuel assemblies having a plurality of depressions provided in its lateral periphery; and (b) a core support structure disposed within said vessel for supporting and aligning said multiplicity of fuel assemblies, said core support structure including longitudinally extending alignment pins engaging said depressions of said fuel assemblies.