NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY SPACER GRID Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC G21C3/34 

FIELD: nuclear power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used in fuel assemblies (FA) of a nuclear reactor of the PWR type. Spacer grid of the nuclear reactor fuel assembly contains a hexagonal rim with a field of hexagonal cells fixed in it, which is made from a whole sheet. Formed cells bends and perforations for cells on one row of cells are arranged on one end side of spacer grid, and on adjacent parallel row on the other side. Perforations for cells are made with formation of radius elements on ends of the cell, which are bent in opposite directions and form helical deflectors at the ends of the cell. Diameter of the circle inscribed between the three points of the radius elements closest to the cell center is calculated by the formula: D=d·k, where D is the diameter of the circle inscribed between the three points of the radius elements closest to the center of the cell, mm; d is the diameter of the fuel element, mm; k is a coefficient taking into account springing of the bent radius element to provide interference in the "cell–fuel element" connection.

EFFECT: invention allows simplifying the design, providing manufacturability and improving the reliability of the spacer grid.

1 cl, 5 dwg