Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Spacer grid
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Application No.: US13364769Application Date: 2012-02-02
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Publication No.: US09620250B2Publication Date: 2017-04-11
- Inventor: Lewis A. Walton , Andrew W. Doan , George S. Pabis , James G. Hatmaker
- Applicant: Lewis A. Walton , Andrew W. Doan , George S. Pabis , James G. Hatmaker
- Applicant Address: US NC Charlotte
- Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
- Current Assignee: BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US NC Charlotte
- Agency: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
- Main IPC: G21C3/34
- IPC: G21C3/34 ; G21C3/352 ; G21C3/356

Abstract:
A spacer grid includes interlocked straps comprising metal sheets or plates welded together to define a spacer grid having a top and bottom. The interlocked straps define a plurality of cells comprising vertical passages connecting the top and bottom of the spacer grid. The cells include: upper dimples proximate to the top of the spacer grid and distal from the mid-plane of the spacer grid; lower dimples proximate to the bottom of the spacer grid and distal from the mid-plane of the spacer grid; cantilevered upper springs having fuel rod engagement surfaces proximate to the top of the spacer grid and distal from the mid-plane of the spacer grid; and cantilevered lower springs having fuel rod engagement surfaces proximate to the bottom of the spacer grid and distal from the mid-plane of the spacer grid.
Public/Granted literature
- US20130202077A1 Spacer Grid Public/Granted day:2013-08-08
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