Nuclear fuel assembly with spacer grids and eccentric support of fuel rods

摘要

In a nuclear reactor fuel assembly (20) structured to support at least one non-linear fuel rod (28), the nuclear reactor fuel assembly (20) includes at least two support grids (26), a first support grid (26A) and a second support grid (26B) structured to support at least one fuel rod (28) in a non-linear shape. Each support grid (26) has a plurality of generally square cells (55) and wherein the cells (56) on the first support grid (26A) and the second support grid (26B) are generally vertically aligned. Each cell (56) has a first side (70), a second side (72), a third side (74), and a fourth side (76). Each cell further has protrusions (53) extending from each the cell sides (70, 72, 74, 76), wherein the protrusions (53) are selected from the group including a spring (60), a dimple (62) or an extended dimple (80). A spring (60) is always disposed opposite of a dimple (62) or an extended dimple (80). The first support grid (26A) includes at least one cell (56) having an extended dimple (80) extending from at least one cell side (70, 72, 74, 76). The second support grid (26B) includes at least one cell (56) aligned with the first support grid (26A) at least one cell (56) having an extended dimple (62), wherein the second support grid (26B) cell has an extended dimple (80) extending from a cell side (70, 72, 74, 76) other than cell side (70, 72, 74, 76) having an extended dimple (80) on the first support grid (26A). Thus, the extended dimples (80) cause the fuel rod (28) to be deformed.