For a boiling reactor with a small amount of moderating neutrons coolant specific fuel element

摘要

930,663. Nuclear fuel elements. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. March 1, 1961 [March 2, 1960], No. 44583/62. Divided out of 930,661. Class 39 (4). A nuclear fuel element 1 of elongate form having its ends equipped to allow a series of elements to be stacked end upon end in a vertical fuel channel is provided with a plurality of radial support members pivotably mounted on one end of the element so that these members are increased in effective radial length by the weight of a superior fuel element; in addition, these members are urged temporarily into the extended position by resilient means. As shown, a cup-shaped member 98 for attachment to a fuel element has three equispaced forks 99 in which arms 100 pivot on pins 101. Each arm has a shoe 107 and a serrated edge 108. A leaf-spring 103 is screwed on to member 98 and urges each arm 100 outwardly so that when the fuel element is stacked in a reactor channel the shoes 107 touch the walls and stabilize the element. The springs, 103, are only required to stabilize one element during the charging of the next, since the lower end of each fuel element has a cone-shaped locating member which engages the surfaces, 108. and maintains the shoes 107 in contact with the walls, irrespective of the springs when the superior fuel element is in position. During charging, the action of spring 103 may be restrained by the grab, or the shoes 107 may be shaped to slide along the channel. Specifications 875,462 and 901,171 also are referred to.