Patent ID: 6278759
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A nuclear fuel spacer grid fabricated by intersecting a plurality of grid strips and used for placing and supporting a plurality of elongated fuel rods at multi-points within a nuclear fuel assembly, comprising:two dimple vanes formed on each of the grid strips at a position corresponding to each sidewall of a unit cell of said spacer grid, said two dimple vanes being oppositely embossed in an axial direction of the fuel assembly so as to accomplish a coolant mixing effect within the spacer grid;two main springs provided on each of said grid strips at respective positions above and under the two dimple vanes, said main springs having an arcuate shape suitable for elastically supporting an elongated fuel rod within the unit cell; andtwo sub-springs provided on each of said grid strips at positions above and under each of the main springs, said sub-springs having a bow shape suitable for supporting the fuel rod while reducing a maximum load applied to the fuel rod within the unit cell.