GRILLE D'ESPACEMENT ET DE MAINTIEN ET ASSEMBLAGE DE COMBUSTIBLE NUCLEAIRE EN COMPORTANT APPLICATION

A grid for supporting and spacing nuclear fuel rods, particularly at the nodes of a triangular array, has a peripheral frame of regular polygonal, typically hexagonal, shape and at least two beds of wires spaced in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly. Each bed has at least two series of mutually parallel wires secured to said frame at the end thereof, the wires of a same one of said series being parallel to two opposed side of said frame and all said wires defining passages for said fuel elements.