초록 ▼

An arrangement for supporting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor has upper and lower reactor core support plates, upper and lower tie plates for supporting fuel rods and a coolant path through the assembly. The improvement comprises a redesigned lower tie plate for providing an upward biasing forc

An arrangement for supporting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor has upper and lower reactor core support plates, upper and lower tie plates for supporting fuel rods and a coolant path through the assembly. The improvement comprises a redesigned lower tie plate for providing an upward biasing force to the assembly for forcing the upper tie plate against the upper reactor core support plate. The biasing force is in the same direction as a levitation force caused by coolant flow through the assembly. In a preferred form, the tie plate includes an upper and lower section with hold-up springs disposed between the two sections.

대표청구항 ▼

In an arrangement for supporting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor having upper and lower reactor core support plates, upper and lower tie plates for supporting fuel rods and a coolant path through the assembly, the improvement comprising: means forming part of said lower tie plate for providing

In an arrangement for supporting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor having upper and lower reactor core support plates, upper and lower tie plates for supporting fuel rods and a coolant path through the assembly, the improvement comprising: means forming part of said lower tie plate for providing an upward biasing force to said assembly so as to force said upper tie plate against said upper reactor core support plate, said means including a two-part tie plate having an upper section and a lower section with spring means disposed between said upper section and lower section, said spring means being loaded with a force sufficient to maintain the assembly against the upper reactor core support under all reactor conditions, said biasing force being in the same direction as a levitation force caused by coolant flow through the assembly.