Patent ID: 6055288
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A nuclear reactor vessel having a baffle-barrel assembly for supporting fuel assemblies in a core region and for guiding fluid flowing through the core region when the reactor vessel is in service, comprising:a baffle plate defining a countersunk hole having a diameter and a smaller diameter baffle plate bolt hole extending from the countersunk hole, the baffle plate defining a slot extending through the baffle plate and outwardly from both the countersunk hole and the baffle plate bolt hole;a former plate having opposed surfaces, the former plate defining a bolt hole aligned with the baffle plate bolt hole, the former plate further defining a slot extending from the baffle plate slot and extending outwardly from the former plate bolt hole to at least one of the opposed surfaces; anda bolt for fastening the two plates together, the bolt having a head portion with an undersurface disposed in the countersunk hole and a shank extending from the undersurface of the head portion into the aligned bolt holes, the bolt head defining at least in part a fluid flow passageway external of the shank interconnecting the countersunk hole with the baffle plate bolt hole; andwherein the outwardly extending baffle plate slot extends to at least one of the opposed surfaces of the former plate.