The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 27, 1987
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1985
Lynne E Weiland, Richland, SC (US);
Beryl H Parks, Lexington, SC (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A spacer grid for a nuclear fuel assembly having grid springs and opposing dimples which contact a fuel rod passing through a cell of the spacer grid along arcuate surfaces to cradle the fuel rod and cushion any vibration impact between the fuel rods and the grid springs and dimples during reactor operation and during fuel assembly shipping. The increased bearing surface between the fuel rods and grids also serves to reduce fuel rod scratching during fuel rod insertion. The grid springs and dimples may also be provided with ramped edges to further reduce fuel rod scratching. Stiffening ribs may be on the grid springs and/or dimples. The cradling action of the grid springs and dimples reduces deviations in fuel rod position from a centered position in a spacer grid cell.