Abstract: In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor and a process for the production of a screen plate for a foot of the fuel assembly, a particle trap is disposed in the foot of the fuel assembly in order to protect fuel rods of the fuel assembly from damage by foreign bodies. The particle trap is formed of a one-piece screen plate into which holes in the screen plate are worked by electrochemical material erosion. It is thereby possible to produce holes with geometrical dimensions and shapes which can only be achieved with difficulty in a casting process or by mechanical machining.

Abstract: In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor and a process for the production of a screen plate for a foot of the fuel assembly, a particle trap is disposed in the foot of the fuel assembly in order to protect fuel rods of the fuel assembly from damage by foreign bodies. The particle trap is formed of a one-piece screen plate into which holes in the screen plate are worked by electrochemical material erosion. It is thereby possible to produce holes with geometrical dimensions and shapes which can only be achieved with difficulty in a casting process or by mechanical machining.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly includes two end plates having inner and outer surfaces Elongated, nuclear fuel-filled fuel rods are disposed between the inner surfaces and have longitudinal axes perpendicular to the inner surfaces. A leaf spring is disposed on the outer surface of one of the end plates and is bent at an acute angle defining first and second legs. The first leg is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the one end plate and loosely engaged in an elongated guide groove formed in the one end plate. The second leg meets the outer surface of the one end plate at an acute angle and has an end rigidly secured to the outer surface of the one end plate. The first and second legs and the guide groove have longitudinal orientations together defining a plane. A supplementary spring is bent at an acute angle and disposed between the legs of the leaf spring.