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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 03, 2001
Michael G. Smith, Columbia, SC (US);
David A. Dablock, Derry, PA (US);
Nathaniel Robinson, Eastover, SC (US);
Philip L. Hazlett, Columbia, SC (US);
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A spacer for use with a protective grid of a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor is a generally washer-shaped plate of material having an engagement surface and a retention surface opposite one another. The protective grid is formed of a plurality of straps to define a plurality of fuel rod cells and a plurality of thimble cells, with the straps adjacent the thimble cells being notched to receive the spacer therein. The retention surface of the spacer is disposed against the notches, and the engagement surface of the spacer protrudes outwardly from the protective grid. When the engagement surfaces of the spacers are engaged against a lower nozzle of a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor, the spacers space the protective grid from the lower nozzle. The spacer is integrally welded with the protective grid in a single arranging and welding operation.