A regulated-current network analog for reactor fuel end-cap temperatures

An analog of resistors and regulated-current sources has facilitated the thermal design of end caps for nuclear reactor fuel elements. The analog permits cylindrical-symmetric representation of the end caps, adjacent fuel, and sheath. With the analog, temperature distributions in various complex geometry end-cap designs can be readily determined. Non-uniform radial and axial heat source distributions, external uniform or non-uniform heat transfer coefficient distributions, and arbitrary internal contact conductance distributions between components can be treated. (author)