Simplified, flexible top end support for cantilever-mounted rod guides

Abstract

A support for the top ends of plural rod guides of at least first and second types which are generally vertically disposed within a pressurized water reactor vessel in corresponding, first and second interleaved matrices. Lower ends of the rod guides are affixed to a lower support structure and the upper ends thereof are disposed adjacent to and spaced vertically below an upper support structure of the vessel. Corresponding, first and second types of top support plates are disposed on and connected to respective top ends of the first and second types of rod guides. The first and second types of top support plates have mating exterior peripheral surfaces which are assembled in sliding, telescoping relationship, a transverse extension from one peripheral surface being received in a vertically extending, recessed channel in a mating peripheral surface of the contiguous support plates. A linkage is secured to a top support plate of one type and to each of the mating top support plates of the other type contiguously surrounding it, providing rigid lateral interconnection and resilient vertical interconnection of the top plates and maintaining same in a concatenated relationship. Aligned keyway segments of the assembled and contiguous first and second plates receive keys which are bolted in place and provide limit stops to relative displacement of the contiguous, interconnected plates.