Fuel rod for a nuclear reactor

A nuclear fuel rod of novel structure comprises a cladding tube having first and second tubular sections and a ring for uniting these sections into a single body. A valve disposed at an opening of the first section pre-charged with nuclear fuel is urged outwardly by a spring provided therein so as to close the opening. The connecting ring is subsequently welded to the opening of the first section, allowing the section of the cladding tube containing the fuel to be fabricated as a separate unit. A sleeve tube having a thin portion fixed to the second section is inserted into the connecting ring so that the top end of the thin portion pushes the valve against the spring to communicate the second tube section with the first through the thin portion when the second section is welded to the connecting ring to form a fuel element. The welding of the sections can be readily executed in a safe manner. (Owens, K.J.)