Debris exclusion and retention device for a fuel assembly

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 8611488
APP PUB NO 20120207262A1
SERIAL NO

13026940

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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A debris exclusion and retention device traps and retains foreign material within the lower tie plate of the fuel assembly utilizing the existing flow paths within the lower tie plate, and without redirecting coolant flow. Flow through the inlet nozzle of the lower tie plate into an enlarged lower tie plate housing creates strong jet impingement against the center of the lower tie plate grid or debris filter, if present, which has a tendency to push debris to the periphery of the lower tie plate. Low flow zones around the periphery of the lower tie plate allow debris to fall back toward the inlet nozzle. The retention device traps and retains debris in these low flow zones without impacting existing flow patterns in the lower tie plate. Thus, the retention device has minimal or no impact on lower tie plate pressure drop.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS LLC3901 CASTLE HAYNE ROAD WILMINGTON NC 28401

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Diller, Peter Ray Wilmington, US 3 4
Longren, Richard C Wilmington, US 4 7
Luciano, Gerald A Wilmington, US 11 37
Smith, David Grey Leland, US 36 327

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