Importance

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Abstract

Spacers (10) with a cell-formed lattice-work for retaining parallel elongated elements such as fuel rods (5) into a bundle in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly are arranged in a suitable spaced relationship to each other along the bundle, and the cells are formed from tubular sleeves (1). Each one of these sleeves (1) offers a passage for one of the elements in order to fix the elements in relation to each other. Substantially half the number of sleeves (1) in a spacer (10), distributed evenly over the cross section of the bundle, are located in a first plane across the bundle and are joined to each other inside a first frame (11) surrounding the bundle, thereby forming a lattice of sleeves (1) and gaps (13). The remaining sleeves (1) of the spacer (10) are joined together inside a second frame (12) surrounding the bundle and are located in a second plane, separate from the first plane, across the bundle. These sleeves (1) also form a lattice of sleeves (1) and gaps (13), the sleeves (1) in the different planes being arranged in such a way that an element fixed by a sleeve (1) in the first plane freely traverses a gap (13) arranged in the second plane and vice versa.

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First Claim