PULSE ARC WELDING OF SPACER GRIDS TO GUIDE TUBES

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United States of America Patent

SERIAL NO

13864168

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Abstract

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A structural skeleton of a nuclear fuel assembly is assembled by inserting guide tubes through a plurality of spacer grids, and performing pulse arc welding to connect the inserted guide tubes and the spacer grids. In the structural skeleton, the spacer grids may comprise intersecting grid straps, and at least some of the grid straps may include tabs that are pulse arc welded to guide tubes. The structural skeleton may include grid retaining rings installed on the guide tubes and pinning some spacer grids, with the grid retaining rings being pulse arc welded to guide tubes. A fuel assembly includes the structural skeleton, a plurality of fuel rods comprising fissile material passing through the spacer grids, and upper and lower end fittings secured to upper and lower ends, respectively, of the guide tubes.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
BWXT MPOWER INC11525 N COMMUNITY HOUSE RD SUITE 600 CHARLOTTE NC 28277

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
DOAN, Andrew W Lynchburg, US 10 40
HATMAKER, James G Lynchburg, US 5 6
PABIS, George S Lynchburg, US 11 20
WALTON, Lewis A Forest, US 24 162

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