Patent Number: 050358537
Section: abstract

A nuclear reactor fuel assembly includes at least one uprightly disposed spacer having a grid of intersecting sheet-metal struts defining meshes therebetween. Mutually parallel rods are each disposed in a respective one of the meshes. Strip-like contact springs are parallel to the rods and each have a side facing toward and a side facing away from a respective one of the struts. Each of the contact springs are disposed in a respective one of the meshes and have two strip ends both being retained on the one strut. Each of the contact springs have a contact location being resilient relative to the one strut for contacting a rod. The contact location is spaced apart from both of the strip ends. Each of the contact springs has an undulatory transverse curve disposed at the contact location on the side of the contact spring facing toward the one strut. The contact springs are continuously smooth and flat from the contact location to the strip ends resting on the one strut.