Damped storage rack for nuclear fuel assemblies

摘要

A storage rack for storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies is provided with an array of cell housings having support elements which are preloaded against the adjacent corner of the adjacent cell housing. The support elements are fixed to the outer corner of one cell housing and have pads which are preloaded or biased against the adjacent corner of the adjacent cell housing. The interface between the pads of the support elements and the adjacent cell housing provide a coulomb damping function which is effective in absorbing vibration from rough handling or seismic events. The cell housings can be located in alternating positions in the array and additional cell locations can be formed from the outer walls of the surrounding cell housings. The cell housings are held together in the array by support bars which are affixed to the top and bottom ends of the cell housings. The support bars may include recesses to align the cell housings.