NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ROD BUNDLE WITH LOCKABLE HEAD

摘要

One end of elongate fuel rods (8) stands inside an elongate fuel element chamber (3) on a lower fuel rod support (5), the lower end of which is also secured to a rod (9) projecting beyond the fuel rods (8). A supporting plate (13) freely guided in the fuel element chamber (3) lies on the upper end of the rod (9) to prevent damage to the fuel rods (8). A fuel element head (17) is inserted at the upper end of the fuel element chamber (3) and can be locked against torsion by turning about the longitudinal axis (3a) of said chamber (3). A spring arm (20) arranged between the fuel element head (17) and the supporting plate (13) bears on both the fuel element head (17) and the supporting plate (13). Consequently, dismantling does not necessitate a displacement of the supporting plate toward the lower fuel rod support, which could result in damage to the fuel rods below or would require that correspondingly greater distance be provided between them.