Apparatus for consolidation of spent nuclear fuel rods
This patent describes apparatus for the consolidation of nuclear fuel rods and compaction of their structural member within a storage pool. It comprises: a multi-axis computer controlled robot mounted above the pool, the robot having an operating arm adapted to be swung over the pool, the arm having a distal end to which is mounted a depending shaft, the shaft having a distal end to which is mounted coupling means, a frame member extending vertically within the pool below the robot, an apertured work table mounted to the frame member within the pool, the work table having vertically extending holders mounted in the apertures thereof, at least a first one of the holders being a fuel assembly holder, and a second one of the holders being adapted to hold a fuel rod canister therein, means for tilting the second one of the holders at an angle to the vertical, rod guiding means for guiding fuel rods into a fuel rod canister within the second one of the holders, long reach tools mounted adjacent the frame, at lease one of the tools having first and second ends and having coupling means adapted to couple to the coupling means on the shaft mounted on the first end and fuel rod grasping means adapted to grasp a fuel rod at the second end, tool guide means for guiding the second end to a location directly over a fuel rod in the fuel assembly.
- Assignee:
- Nuclear Assurance Corp., Norcross, GA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5098644; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-570812
- OSTI ID:
- 5218164
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 22 Aug 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
ROBOTS
COMPUTERS
EQUIPMENT
SHAFTS
FUEL ELEMENTS
MACHINE PARTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
052000* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management
990200 - Mathematics & Computers