Patent ID: 8681929
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor comprising: a top end fitting; a bottom end fitting; a plurality of elongated guide thimbles respectively extending in an axial direction between and connected at opposite ends to the top end fitting and the bottom end fitting; and a plurality of transverse grids arranged in a spaced tandem array between the top end fitting and the bottom end fitting, at least some of said grids formed from a plurality of orthogonal intersecting straps that define cells at the intersection of each four adjacent straps, the guide thimbles respectively extending through and fixedly connected to at least some of said cells, the connection between at least some of said guide thimbles and at least some of the corresponding cells through which the guide thimbles pass comprising; an elongated tubular sleeve having a length in the axial direction longer than a width in the axial direction of the grid straps of the cell through which the corresponding guide thimble passes and having a diameter that is larger than or substantially equal to an axially transverse width of the cell through which the corresponding guide thimble passes, the elongated tubular sleeve having an axial slit that extends the length of the sleeve and the sleeve extending through and above and below the cell through which the corresponding guide thimble passes and being mechanically or metallurgically affixed to at least a one wall of the cell through which the corresponding guide thimble passes, the guide thimble extending through the corresponding sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a first opening in a wall of the sleeve in a first portion of the sleeve that extends from one end of the cell; and a first weld ring fitting over and circumscribing, at least in part, a circumference of the first portion of the sleeve, and extending over more than 180° of the circumference of the first portion of the sleeve and welded to the guide thimble through the first opening.