Patent Number: 053655575
Section: abstract

According to one embodiment, a fuel assembly includes a bundle of fuel rods. Approximately mutually parallel upright webs extend between the fuel rods in a plane approximately perpendicular to the fuel rods. The webs have upper edges and tabs on the upper edges. The tabs have ends and the tabs are twisted continuously more severely toward the ends away from the webs. According to another embodiment, the fuel assembly includes a bundle of fuel rods defining flow channels and an axis approximately parallel to the fuel rods. Lengthwise webs extend approximately parallel to one another between the fuel rods in a first plane extending approximately perpendicular to the fuel rods. Crosswise webs, which extend approximately perpendicularly to the lengthwise webs, are disposed in a second plane approximately parallel to the first plane and join the lengthwise webs to one another between the fuel rods. Tabs are twisted about the axis and disposed in the flow channels. The tabs are integrally formed on the lengthwise webs and they join the lengthwise webs to the crosswise webs and merge steadily with the webs.