Xiaoyan Y Jiang

US Patent:

8369475, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Oct 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/609259

Inventors:

Yong (Roger) Lu - Columbia SC, US
Xiaoyan (Jane) Jiang - Columbia SC, US
Michael E. Conner - Elgin SC, US
Paul M. Evans - Chapin SC, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/352
G21C 3/34
G21C 3/00

US Classification:

376438, 376409, 376426, 376434

Abstract:

A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from an array of a plurality of orthogonally arranged straps in an egg-crate configuration with angled trailing and/or leading edges that are designed to break the correlation of vortices shed from the edges of the grid straps by varying the phase of the vortices to avoid resonant vibration of the straps.

US Patent:

8374308, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Jan 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/033434

Inventors:

Xiaoyan Jiang - Columbia SC, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/34
G21C 3/356

US Classification:

376441, 376443

Abstract:

A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the fuel rod assembly having a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of generally uniform cells, each the cell having at least one wall and a width and at least one generally cylindrical tubular member having a cell contact portion with a greater diameter and at least one helical fuel rod contact portion with a lesser diameter, the cell contact portion and the fuel rod contact portion joined by a transition portion, the greater diameter being generally equivalent to the cell width, and the lesser diameter being generally equivalent to the fuel rod diameter such that a fuel rod disposed in the tubular member would engage the inner diameter. Wherein the least one tubular member disposed in one cell of the plurality of generally square cells so that the cell contact portion engages the at least one cell sidewall.

US Patent:

20090257546, Oct 15, 2009

Filed:

Apr 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/102123

Inventors:

Yong LU - Columbia SC, US
Xiaoyan Jiang - Columbia SC, US

International Classification:

G21C 3/34

US Classification:

376438

Abstract:

An improved grid for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly that has an egg-crate base grid as the primary support structure with each support cell of the base grid that supports a fuel rod having a lock-support sleeve that is rotatable within the support cell between a first and second orientation. In the first orientation the lock-support sleeve fits loosely within the support cell of the base grid and respectively, loosely receives the fuel rods that are loaded therein. The lock-support sleeves are then rotated to a second orientation that locks the fuel rods axially within the support cells.

US Patent:

20100322371, Dec 23, 2010

Filed:

Aug 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/871079

Inventors:

XIAOYAN (JANE) JIANG - Columbia SC, US
YIBAN XU - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/344

US Classification:

376439, 976DIG073

Abstract:

A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the fuel rod assembly having a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of outer straps and a plurality tubular members and/or helical frame members. The tubular members/helical frame members have a contact portion structured to contact an adjacent helical frame member and at least one helical fuel rod contact portion with a lesser diameter. The lesser diameter is generally equivalent to the fuel rod diameter such that a fuel rod disposed in the helical frame member would engage the inner helical frame member at helical fuel rod contact portion. The helical fuel rod contact portion may have a variable pitch.

US Patent:

20110002435, Jan 6, 2011

Filed:

Jul 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/495873

Inventors:

Yong Roger LU - Columbia SC, US
Xiaoyan Jane Jiang - Columbia SC, US
Michael E. Conner - Elgin SC, US
Paul M. Evans - Chapin SC, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/34

US Classification:

376442

Abstract:

A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from an array of a plurality of orthogonally arranged straps in an egg-crate configuration with angled trailing and/or leading edges that are designed to break the correlation of vortices shed from the edges of the grid straps by varying the phase of the vortices to avoid resonant vibration of the straps.

US Patent:

20110033020, Feb 10, 2011

Filed:

Aug 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/538307

Inventors:

XIAOYAN JANE JIANG - Columbia SC, US

Assignee:

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/34

US Classification:

376442

Abstract:

A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the fuel rod assembly having a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of outer straps and a plurality of helical frame members. The helical frame members have a contact portion structured to contact an adjacent helical frame member and at least one helical fuel rod contact portion with a lesser diameter. The lesser diameter is generally equivalent to the fuel rod diameter such that a fuel rod disposed in the helical frame member would engage the inner helical frame member at helical fuel rod contact portion. The helical frame members are coupled to each other at the contact portions thereby forming a grid. The plurality of outer straps are disposed about the perimeter of the helical frame members.

US Patent:

20130177127, Jul 11, 2013

Filed:

Dec 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/691891

Inventors:

XIAOYAN (JANE) JIANG - COLUMBIA SC, US
YIBAN XU - Pittsburgh PA, US
ZESES E. KAROUTAS - Lexington SC, US

Assignee:

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP PA

International Classification:

G21C 3/356

US Classification:

376442

Abstract:

A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the nuclear fuel assembly including a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of generally circular cells and a plurality of helical frame members. The helical frame members are disposed in the cells and are structured to contact the cell as well as a fuel rod. The helical fuel rod contact portion may have a variable pitch.