| 摘要 |
1,087,418. Fuel elements. COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. June 28, 1965 [July 10, 1964], No. 27331/65. Heading G6C. A cluster-type fuel element comprises a plurality of parallel fuel rods each consisting of fuel material enclosed in a can provided with radially directed straight fins extending axially along the full length of the rod, the fins being arranged to form pairs each consisting of two fins, one on each of two adjacent fuel rods and located in the same plane, and removable key members axially slidable in co-operating keyways provided on the radially outer portions of the fins of each of the pairs for connecting the adjacent fuel rods. The key members may take any one of a number of different forms, and may join the fins either externally or internally. One of the former type comprises a thin metallic strip folded in the shape of an " S," flanges which are formed at the extremities of the " S " engaging in longitudina1 grooves along the lateral faces of the fins. At intervals along the fins the directions in which the arms of the 8-shaped strip extend are reversed. In variations, the strip is folded so as to form alternate U-sections, or two complete U-sections are welded back-to-back. A key member which forms joints between fins within the thickness of the latter may comprise a tubular key, a key having a transversal crosssection in the shape of a double T, or a key in the shape of a double dovetail. In each case, the key engages within two dovetailed grooves each formed in the end face of one of a pair of fins so as to maintain the two fins in contact with each other. The connection of the outermost pairs of fins at the periphery of the cluster is provided by means of bars extending parallel to the fuel rods and including two longitudinal fins which are secured to the fins on the fuel rods in the same manner as the directly-connected fins on the other rods. |
