Patent ID: 9378853
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: G21C,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising: a continuous control rod guide frame comprising one or more columnar elements defining a central passage having a constant cross-section as a function of position along the central passage, wherein the continuous guide frame is not constructed of spaced apart guide plates; a control rod assembly comprising a plurality of control rods parallel aligned with the central passage of the continuous control rod guide frame and connected with a spider or other coupling element; wherein the plurality of control rods is movable into and out of the central passage of the continuous control rod guide frame and the spider or other coupling element is disposed in the central passage of the continuous control rod guide frame and moves along the central passage as the plurality of control rods move into or out of the central passage; and wherein any portion of the plurality of control rods disposed in the central passage is guided by the central passage over the entire length of the portion of the plurality of control rods that is disposed in the central passage; and wherein the spider or other coupling element is supported by the continuous control rod guide frame at every point in its travel between fully withdrawn and fully inserted positions of the plurality of control rods.