NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear reactors. SUBSTANCE: fuel assembly has bundle of fuel elements assembled in core lattice mounted on tail end joined with can which is assembled with cap wherein can is joined with tail end through cylindrical ridges formed in vicinity of tail end seating points by annular grooves about them which receive perforated flanges made on seating surfaces of can, fitted onto cylindrical ridges of tail end, and tightly held in position by means of flat-head screws. Upper surface of screws is counter-sunk below external surface of can edges and lower part rests on butt end of cylindrical ridge provided with threaded hole whose axis is parallel to longitudinal axis of ridge and offset through certain distance. External cylindrical surface of screw head is stepped to form skirt which is partially deformed to counter- sink the screw in slot made in end surface of cylindrical ridge. Can ribs have slits in vicinity of seating point which are parallel to longitudinal axis of fuel assembly whose length is sufficient to put can on tail end by bending out parts of its edges obtained upon making slits away from longitudinal axis of fuel assembly. EFFECT: provision for disassembling fuel assembly and reassembling it. 3 cl, 3 dwg