| 摘要 |
<p>A nuclear reactor fuel element (10) is helically wound with a strip (12) which on one face at regular intervals along its length has dimples (14, 16), and has a continuous rib (18) on the opposite face. The strip (12) contacts the associated fuel pin cladding via the dimples (14, 16) which effectively act as point contacts, and it contacts the neighbouring fuel pins via the rib (18) which also provides point contact. The regions between adjacent dimples (14, 16) are clear of the cladding and provide coolant flow paths thereby avoiding stagnant regions. The dimples (14, 16) may be arranged in two staggered sets one on each side of a central rib (18), and the strip (18) then wound so that the dimples (14, 16) in each set each align axially with a respective dimple (14, 16) of the other set.</p> |
