Patent ID: 6813327
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A core plate assembly for a nuclear reactor, the reactor comprising a plurality of large control rods, a plurality of cruciform shaped control rod guide tubes, and a plurality of fuel bundles having lower tie plates, said core plate assembly comprising:a flat plate; a plurality of support beams, said flat plate positioned on top of said support beams; a plurality of control rod guide tube openings, each said guide tube opening sized to receive a control rod guide tube, said control rod guide tube openings arranged in staggered rows, said guide tube openings having a cruciform shape and comprising four slots extending radially from a central portion at right angles to each other, said slots defining four fuel bundle receiving areas; a plurality of fuel supports extending through said flat plate, each said fuel support comprising: a coolant flow inlet, said coolant flow inlet positioned adjacent a support beam; a coolant flow outlet sized to receive a lower tie plate of a fuel bundle, said coolant flow outlet positioned in a fuel bundle receiving area; and a coolant flow bore extending between said coolant flow inlet and said coolant flow outlet, said coolant flow inlet offset from said coolant flow outlet so that a centerline of said coolant flow inlet is parallel to a centerline of said coolant flow outlet.