SPACER GRID FOR FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear engineering.

SUBSTANCE: proposed spacer grid designed for assembling fuel rods in triangular arrangement primarily used in type VVER reactors has encircling band and three groups of relatively intersecting strips arranged in parallel in each group and provided with slits at points of intersection, as well as with alignment stops disposed between adjacent alternate slits. Intersection of strips forms subchannels for receiving fuel elements and bonding elements. Elements are shaped as equilateral triangle in cross-sectional area and look like figure with convex sides whose centers of curvature radii are disposed on lines crossing intersection point of strips and axis of fuel element engageable with this side. Alignment stops on each strip are made in the form of bends. In addition mixing blades are provided on at least two groups of strips and unidirectionally positioned in one group of strips. Bends provided on each strip between adjacent alternate slits make it possible to obtain bonding elements of different type at strip intersection point thereby enabling formation of shaped subchannel with alignment stops of sufficient elasticity margin (elastic displacement margin or stiffness coefficient).

EFFECT: enhanced precision of fuel element alignment and stiffness of its locking in subchannel.

5 cl, 13 dwg