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. 07, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 17, 1995
Edward A Croteau, Wilmington, NC (US);
Thomas G Evans, Wilmington, NC (US);
Robert B Elkins, Wilmington, NC (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A spacer for a nuclear fuel bundle comprises a plurality of discrete, generally cylindrical ferrules, with each ferrule having a pair of circumferentially spaced fuel rod contacting portions along one side of the ferrule and three superposed openings in the ferrule along an opposite side thereof. A leaf spring having opposite end projecting portions and a central projecting portion is disposed between adjacent ferrules with the end projecting portions and the central portion disposed within the openings of the ferrule. The central portion includes a boss projecting inwardly for engagement against the fuel rod in one ferrule and the end projections contain bosses projecting inwardly and spaced from the fuel rod of the one ferrule. The end projections bear against an adjacent ferrule. The spring is captured between the two ferrules and contacts the ferrules at a plurality of laterally and vertically spaced contact points so that the spring is stabilized against flow-induced vibration.