Importance

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Abstract

A nuclear fuel assembly support grid includes a multiplicity of spring structures for engaging fuel rods extending through the cells of the grid. Each spring structure is formed on each cell wall section to form a matrix of fuel rod receiving cells in the grid. Each spring structure is composed of a pair of spaced apart upper and lower opposite outer portions being integrally attached at their outer ends to the respective wall section, and a middle portion disposed between in laterally spaced relation from the outer portions and integrally connected at its outer ends with respective inner ends of the outer portions. The integrally-connected outer and middle portions are defined by a pair of generally U-shaped slots formed in a reverse interlocking relation to one another in the wall section of the one cell. The outer and middle portions define a generally S-shaped configuration which protrudes to one side of the wall section so that the spring structure gradually increases in height relative to the wall section from the outer portions inwardly to the middle portion with the spring structure being at maximum distance from the wall section at a central fuel rod-engaging region of the middle portion.

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First Claim