Siemens Power Corporation, Inc.

Trond A Bjornard

John F Patterson

Jack Yates

George C Cooke

The present invention provides a fuel rod for a light water nuclear reactors that comprises a part-length fuel rod and an extension tube having at least one wall member defining an enclosed flow path therethrough, the extension tube being coupled to a portion of the part-length fuel rod so as to be disposed axially above the part-length fuel rod, and including at least one inlet opening, for allowing fluid that surrounds the rod and initially comprises a two phase mixture of steam and liquid, to enter the enclosed fluid path and at least one outlet opening located above the inlet opening, the extension tube includes means for separating at least some of the steam located in the fluid from the liquid located therein. The improved fuel rod allows steam to bypass the upper active portions of the fuel assembly. A coolant diverter is positioned in a spacer of a nuclear fuel rod assembly in the large subchannel above a part length fuel rod for increasing the hydraulic resistance of the large subchannel and for separating liquid from two phase flow.

Nuclear fuel rod assembly apparatus

A low pressure drop spacer for positioning and retaining the fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly in which a plurality of upper and lower spring forks which extend through apertures in the side wall of the spacer into the assembly and through apertures in grid members which divide the assembly. The intersection and superposition of the spring forks, side wall and grid members form fuel rod passageways through which the fuel rods extend.

Growing community of inventors

Richland, WA, United States of America

Trond A Bjornard