Support grid for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly

摘要

An improved support grid of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly is described. The support grid has a plurality of first and second straps which are assembled so as to form an eggcrate structure defining grid cells in a square arrangement. The support grid includes a plurality of mixing vanes integrally formed on a side edge of the first and second straps adjacent to an area where the straps cross. The mixing vanes slanted to be adjacent to a fuel rod are each shaped to show no welding apertures formed therein in their horizontal planes of projection thereby maximizing the coolant impinging area to agitate and swirl a coolant flow.