NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC G21C3/34 G21C21/00 

FIELD: nuclear power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: proposed fuel assembly primarily used for water-moderated water-cooled reactors has bundle of fuel elements installed in framework of spacer grids secured on tubular channels, bottom nozzle, and removable head wherein each spacer grid is assembled of separate shaped subchannels welded together at points tied outside with ring made of component parts, its edges being provided with coolant baffles throughout entire length from periphery to center at angle of 15-30 deg. to form coolant channels between fuel elements and subchannel walls, between subchannels, and between peripheral subchannels and ring. Provided on ends of each component part of spacer grid ring are shaped slot and lip mating those provided on end of adjacent component part of ring to form lock joint upon welding to peripheral subchannels. Area of lugs is sufficient to conduct spot welding.

EFFECT: improved design.

1 cl, 6 dwg