Vibrating fuel grapple

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:864224

Fox, Jack N ^[1]; Weissinger, Robert B ^[2]

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1. San Jose, CA
2. Santa Clara, CA

A reactor refueling method utilizing a vibrating fuel grapple for removing spent fuel assemblies from a reactor core which incorporates a pneumatic vibrator in the grapple head, enabling additional withdrawal capability without exceeding the allowable axial force limit. The only moving part in the vibrator is a steel ball, pneumatically driven by a gas, such as argon, around a track, with centrifugal force created by the ball being transmitted through the grapple to the assembly handling socket.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Sunnyvale, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-03-0893
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United State (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4332640
• OSTI ID: 864224
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

vibrating
fuel
grapple
reactor
refueling
method
utilizing
removing
spent
assemblies
core
incorporates
pneumatic
vibrator
head
enabling
additional
withdrawal
capability
exceeding
allowable
axial
force
limit
moving
steel
ball
pneumatically
driven
gas
argon
track
centrifugal
created
transmitted
assembly
handling
socket
handling socket
axial force
centrifugal force
fuel assemblies
reactor core
spent fuel
method utilizing
reactor refueling
steel ball
force created
vibrating fuel
fuel grapple
assembly handling
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