Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being themed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack and method of manufacturing the same. In ones aspect, the invention is a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack and method of manufacturing the same. In ones aspect, the invention is a neutron absorbing apparatus for insertion into a fuel rack comprising: a sleeve having a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls forming a chevron shape; and the first and second wall being a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement bent into the chevron shape along a crease.

Abstract: A method of loading nuclear fuel assemblies into a fuel rack in an underwater (or other submerged) environment that reduces the depth required for the pool to effectuate the fuel rack loading procedure. In one embodiment, the method comprises submerging a nuclear fuel assembly having an axis and a horizontal cross-section in a pool; providing a fuel rack in the pool, the fuel rack comprising a body structure comprising at least one elongated cell, a top, a bottom, a first lateral side, at least one elongated slot in the first lateral side that forms a lateral passageway into the cell; positioning the fuel assembly laterally adjacent to the elongated slot of the fuel rack so that the axis of the fuel assembly is substantially aligned with the elongated slot; and translating the fuel assembly in a lateral direction through the elongated slot and into the cell.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack and method of manufacturing the same. In ones aspect, the invention is a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A method of loading nuclear fuel assemblies into a fuel rack in an underwater (or other submerged) environment that reduces the depth required for the pool to effectuate the fuel rack loading procedure. In one embodiment, the method comprises submerging a nuclear fuel assembly having an axis and a horizontal cross-section in a pool; providing a fuel rack in the pool, the fuel rack comprising a body structure comprising at least one elongated cell, a top, a bottom, a first lateral side, at least one elongated slot in the first lateral side that forms a lateral passageway into the cell; positioning the fuel assembly laterally adjacent to the elongated slot of the fuel rack so that the axis of the fuel assembly is substantially aligned with the elongated slot; and translating the fuel assembly in a lateral direction through the elongated slot and into the cell.

Abstract: A fuel rack for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies in an underwater (or other submerged) environment that reduces the depth required for the pool to effectuate the fuel rack loading procedure. The fuel rack is specially designed to afford lateral loading. In one embodiment, the fuel rack comprises a body structure comprising at least one substantially vertically oriented elongated cell for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, the body having a top, a bottom and a first lateral side; at least one elongated slot in the first lateral side of the body structure that forms a passageway into the cell through which a vertically oriented fuel assembly can be loaded; and means for supporting a fuel assembly within the cell in a substantially vertical orientation. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of laterally loading a fuel rack that utilizes rotation of the fuel assembly to secure the fuel assembly within its designated cell.

Abstract: A fuel rack for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies in an underwater (or other submerged) environment that reduces the depth required for the pool to effectuate the fuel rack loading procedure. The fuel rack is specially designed to afford lateral loading. In one embodiment, the fuel rack comprises a body structure comprising at least one substantially vertically oriented elongated cell for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, the body having a top, a bottom and a first lateral side; at least one elongated slot in the first lateral side of the body structure that forms a passageway into the cell through which a vertically oriented fuel assembly can be loaded; and means for supporting a fuel assembly within the cell in a substantially vertical orientation. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of laterally loading a fuel rack that utilizes rotation of the fuel assembly to secure the fuel assembly within its designated cell.