Patent ID: 6522710
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G21C,H04L,H04N,H04W,Y02E

Abstract:
In combination, a grid and a spacer for use in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor, the fuel assembly including a nozzle, a thimble tube having an end, and a fastener, the fastener being structured to be cooperably connected with the thimble tube, the combination comprising:a grid including a plurality of straps interconnected with one another to define at least a first thimble cell, the straps each including an edge; a spacer in the form of a plate formed with a hole extending therethrough, the plate having a substantially planar engagement surface and a substantially planar retention surface opposite one another; the plate being fixedly mounted on the grid with the engagement surface protruding outwardly from the grid; the engagement surface being structured to be disposed against the nozzle to space the grid from the nozzle; the hole being structured to receive at least a portion of the fastener therethrough, and the retention surface being structured to receive the end of the thimble tube against it such that the plate is interposed between the nozzle and the end of the thimble tube when the fastener is received through the hole and is cooperably connected with the thimble tube; in which at least one of the straps that define the at least first thimble cell includes a notch formed in the edge, the plate being at least partially disposed in the notch; and in which the notch defines a notch base and at least a first notch side on the at least one of the straps, and in which the plate includes a perimeter surface between the engagement and retention surfaces, the combination including at least one of the retention surface engaging the notch base and the perimeter surface engaging the at least first notch side.