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:
Jan. 14, 2003
Filed:
May. 01, 2000
David G. Smith, Leland, NC (US);
James E. Maynard, Wilmington, NC (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A flow diverter is provided for attachment to a spacer cell above a part-length fuel rod. The flow diverter includes a tubular base having a plurality of laterally projecting tabs extending in an upstream direction for diverting flow from between the spacer cells into the volume above the spacer void of a fuel rod. A vortex generator is secured to or forms an integral part with the flow diverter for swirling the flow onto and into the interstices of laterally adjacent fuel rods. The flow diverter and vortex generator are formed of tubular stock. The vanes of the vortex generator are formed by providing slits along the tubular stock and twisting alternating edges of the stock inwardly to form the vanes.