Use of shape memory alloys in fuel pellet holddown springs
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United States of America Patent
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May 31, 1994
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N/A
app pub date -
Sep 25, 1992
filing date -
Sep 25, 1992
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Abstract
A composite holddown spring for applying an axial force to a fuel pellet stack in a nuclear reactor fuel rod. The composite holddown spring comprises a shape-memory alloy spring portion and a conventional metal spring portion. The shape-memory alloy spring portion has a two-way memory characteristic such that it contracts to a low temperature configuration at ambient temperatures wherein the axial force exerted by the shape-memory alloy spring portion is minimized and expands to a high temperature configuration at operating conditions wherein the axial force exerted by the shape-memory alloy spring portion is maximized. Somewhat conversely, the conventional metal spring portion weakens and contracts at operating temperature and strengthens and expands at atmospheric temperature.
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