Debris trap for a pressurized water nuclear reactor

This patent describes fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor including nuclear fuel rods, at least one grid supporting the fuel rods in an organized array, an end nozzle with a transverse adapter plate disposed adjacent the grid and an end of the fuel rods and having holes which allow flow of liquid coolant through the end nozzle adapter plate and into the fuel assembly, a trap for capturing and retaining debris carried by the flowing coolant to prevent entry of debris into the fuel assembly, the debris trap comprising: (a) a structure disposed across the end nozzle and adjacent the adapter plate on an opposite side from the grid and the end of the fuel rods. The structure is composed of straps aligned with respect to each other in a crisscross interlocking arrangement and defining wall portions forming small cells each being open at opposite ends and defining a central channel for passage of coolant flow to the adapter plate of the end nozzle. The wall portions of each cell defined in oppositely-disposed interconnected pairs