A Study on the Bulge Joint Joining Force in a Fuel Cell Assembly

A nuclear fuel cell is connected to the corresponding top nozzle by a bulge joint. Bulge joints are composed of an outer insert tube and inner guide tube, as well as two inner and outer tubes that are joined by three grooves. As the lifting force on the top nozzle is transferred to the fuel cell through the bulge joint, the bulge joint plays an important role in the transportation of spent fuel cells. Therefore, the bulge joint has to have a sufficient joining force. In this study, the effects of the shape and material properties of a bulge joint on the joining force are investigated.