drawing as shown a parallel array of fuel rods 10 terminate in a transverse plane that is adjacent to an end fitting 11 for simplicity in description the illustrative end fitting 11 shown in an inverted position in fig1 is subsequently referred to throughout the specification as a 34 lower 34 end fitting i e the bottom or lowermost fitting for a fuel element in which the longitudinal axes of the fuel rods 10 are positioned vertically or perpendicular to the horizontal plane but the principles of the invention nevertheless are equally applicable to an end fitting in any desired orientation relative to the horizontal thus it should be understood that the scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter is applicable to an end fitting in any desired angular relationship with the horizontal or other selected reference considering fig1 in more detail the end fitting 11 has a peripheral band 12 that circumscribes the perimeter of a thick plate 13 the plate 13 is disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fuel rods 10 although not shown in the drawing the plate 13 is of relatively open construction having a number of apertures or passageways to enable coolant that is flowing in the direction of arrow 14 to pass in a relatively unimpeded manner through the end fitting 11 and to enter the bundle of fuel rods in order to absorb heat from the rods 10 it.