ANNULAR SPACER FOR FUEL CHANNEL ASSEMBLY OF A NUCLEAR RECTOR AND METHODS FOR DETECTING IT

Claims

An annular spacer is provided for a fuel channel assembly of a nuclear reactor. The annular spacer comprises a belt wire that forms a loop around a reactor pressure tube. The belt wire has an expansion mechanism and defines a first circumference when the expansion mechanism is in a first configuration and a second circumference when the expansion mechanism is in a second configuration. The belt wire transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration during the diametral expansion of the pressure tube, where the expansion mechanism maintains a first and second end of the belt wire in electrical communication in both the first and second configurations to maintain the belt wire loop as a continuous electrical circuit. A binding spring defines the belt wire within the binding spring and maintains a space between the calender tube and the pressure tube.