NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G21C3/30 

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: nuclear reactor fuel assembly comprises a bundle of fuel elements fixed in an end bearing lattice and fixed to each other by spacing grids attached to a central pipe. The bearing lattice is made in the form of a perforated plate with round holes designed for installation of fuel elements, guide channels or bearing pipes and a central pipe, holes for passage of a coolant, and is installed on a fuel assembly tail. Holes for coolant passage in the lattice are formed by crossing of the first links perpendicular to faces of the plate or its external circuit, second links, perpendicular to the first ones, and third links that limit round holes, and the pitch of the first links is equal to (0.2…0.3)s, the pitch of the second links is equal to not more than 0.8 s, where s - pitch of holes for installation of fuel elements. Holes for coolant passage preferably have width of 2.0…2.5 mm and are arranged symmetrically relative to the central axis of the lattice at 60°.

EFFECT: combination of functions of a bearing lattice and an anti-debris filter with provision of throughput section and strength required for a bearing lattice, and also better repairability of a fuel assembly.

3 cl, 5 dwg