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:
Dec. 27, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2007
Kee-nam Song, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kyung-ho Yoon, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kun-woo Song, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kang-hee Lee, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kyung-jin Park, Ansan-Si, KR;
Kee-Nam Song, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kyung-Ho Yoon, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kun-Woo Song, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kang-Hee Lee, Daejeon-si, KR;
Kyung-Jin Park, Ansan-Si, KR;
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejoen, KR;
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Seoul, KR;
Abstract
A grid strap includes a spacer grid spring that increases the conformal contact area with a fuel rod of a nuclear fuel rod assembly. The shape of the spacer grid spring is optimized, thereby increasing the elasticity of the spacer grid spring contacting the fuel rod, expanding the conformal contact area with a contact portion between the spacer grid spring and fuel rod to obtain uniform stress distribution, and reducing excessive plastic deformation of the spacer grid spring. Further, magnitude and distribution of contact pressure between the fuel rod and the spacer grid spring are improved, thereby reducing the possibility of fretting wear caused by contact between the fuel rod and the spacer grid spring. Lastly, the elastic behavior region of the spacer grid spring is expanded, so that the fuel rod can be reliably supported until the fuel rod expires despite changes in the supporting conditions of the fuel rod.