Lower tie plate cast frame

摘要

A lower tie plate for a nuclear fuel assembly is provided via an integral casting including a frame containing a first plurality of guide tube bosses in a central portion thereof, a second plurality of guide tube bosses concentric with the first plurality of guide tube bosses, and a plurality of teardrop shaped struts connecting the first and second guide tube bosses to one another and to the frame. The guide tube bosses serve to respectively directly receive individual guide tube cap screws of guide tubes of the nuclear fuel assembly. The interior top portion of the lower tie plate is configured to receive and support a debris screen.