Upper end fitting

摘要

An upper end fitting for a nuclear fuel assembly. A main body portion that is square in section has a base rigidly attached thereto. A combined pedestal and holddown spring assembly received in the main body portion is formed from leaf springs attached together by a bolt and nut. The leaf springs are bolted together such that the exterior radius or convex surface of the springs face each other. The bolt and nut are sized and shaped to serve as the pedestal for the control assembly of the reactor. A spring retainer movably received in the main body portion retains the springs inside the main body portion. The retainer is also provided with a bore therethrough sized to allow the bolt/pedestal to extend therethrough.