Patent Number: 063209241
Section: abstract

A sub-assembly for a spacer in a nuclear fuel bundle includes at least first and second ferrules lying adjacent one another for receiving respective nuclear fuel rods. Each ferrule has fuel rod contacting points along one side of the ferrule for abutting a fuel rod within the ferrule, and a substantially I-shaped opening along a side of the ferrule opposite the one side. A substantially I-shaped spring adapted to seat within the opening includes a spring body lying in a plane and having opposite horizontal end portions connected by a vertical stem portion, a central portion of each of the horizontal end portions projecting away from the substantially I-shaped opening to one side of the plane and a center portion of the vertical stem projecting into the substantially I-shaped opening to an opposite side of the plane. The spring is adapted to be disposed between the adjacent ferrules with the vertical stem seated in the opening of the first ferrule with the center portion of the stem adapted to bear against the fuel rod within the first ferrule and maintaining the fuel rod against the fuel rod contacting points of the first ferrule. The horizontal end portions lie with the central portions of each end portion bearing directly against the second ferrule circumferentially between a pair of the fuel rod contacting points of the second ferrule.