| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide spacers for nuclear fuel assemblies including rod contacts which provide a fuel rod with certain elasticity and then limit deflection.SOLUTION: Nuclear fuel spacers include a deflection-limited elastic rod contact 146. Spacers may additionally include a rigid contact without elastic functionality. A degree of deflection may be chosen based on a plastic deformation threshold, maximum fuel rod movement, anticipated transverse loads related to a fuel assembly including inspection, handling, transportation, operation and accidents, and/or any other operating characteristics. Spacers include deflection-limited elastic contacts 461a and/or rigid contacts in a plurality of arrangements within the spacer and/or in contact with a single fuel rod. Spacers are compatible with a simple fabrication method that forms rigid, deflection-limiting, and elastic components from a single substrate. Nuclear fuel spacers are useable with a plurality of fuel assembly types. |
