Importance

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Abstract

A fuel rod support grid includes interleaved straps arranged to form a matrix of hollow cells. Each cell receives one fuel rod and is defined by pairs of opposing elongated walls which are shared with adjacent cells. Each wall of the pairs thereof forming a single cell has one side which is a part of the perimeter of the single cell and has an opposite side which is part of the perimeter of one of several cells disposed about and adjacent to the single cell. The improvements incorporated by the support grid comprise a first set of dimples formed at an upper end of each wall of the pairs thereof defining each cell of the grid and a second set of dimples formed at a lower end of each grid cell wall. Each of the first and second sets of dimples are composed of a pair of upper and lower dimples which project outwardly from the same one side of the wall in which the dimples of the set are formed and a center dimple which is located between and adjacent to the upper and lower dimples and projects outwardly from the opposite side of the wall. The dimples in the first and second sets thereof are adapted to resiliently and frictionally engage fuel rods when received through the respective cells. The first sets of dimples on the walls of the pairs thereof defining each cell are formed at generally the same elevation. And, likewise, the second sets of dimples on the walls of the pairs thereof defining each cell are formed at generally the same elevation.

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First Claim