摘要 |
A design of fuel assembly control rod guide thimble which includes insets or indentations which project inwardly from the upper end of the guide thimble and extend longitudinally of the thimble for about the same distance traversed by a control rod movable therein. These preferentially formed discrete indented areas or insets within the guide thimble provide for controlled localized control rod to guide thimble wear. The insets minimize wear at the control rod-guide thimble interface by lowering the normal load and encouraging the control rod into a line contact wearing mode. Additional insets may be remotely installed after irradiation if desired. |