METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FIXING A GUIDING TUBE OF A NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT ASSEMBLY TO THE END PLATES OF SAID ASSEMBLY

摘要

Method for fixing a zircalloy guide tube of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly to the steel end plate of said assembly, wherein the following stages are successively formed: the previously expanded end of the guide tube is engaged around a sleeve until it abuts against a first outer shoulder of said sleeves; said end is covered with a force-fitted ferrule and the tube is squeezed against the sleeve, then the upper end of the ferrule is welded to the sleeve above the said first outer shoulder; the sleeve-tube-ferrule assembly is introduced into an opening provided for this purpose in the end plate and having a shoulder, until a second outer shoulder of the sleeve abuts against the said shoulder of the end plate opening; the upper part of the sleeve is welded to the upper part of the opening of the end plate of the assembly. The invention also relates to an apparatus for fixing the zircalloy guide tube to the steel end plate.