Apparatus for consolidation of spent nuclear fuel rods

Patent · Tue Mar 24 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5218164

McDaniels, J D

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052000* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Management
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
COMPUTERS
EQUIPMENT
FUEL ELEMENTS
MACHINE PARTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
ROBOTS
SHAFTS
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS