Transfer of nuclear reactor component assemblies
Apparatus for transferring, not only the fuel assemblies, but other component assemblies including control-rod assemblies, thimble-plug assemblies, poison assemblies and the like during refueling of a nuclear reactor. The apparatus includes an outer mast for guiding and protecting the component assemblies which are transferred, an inner mast movable vertically within the guiding mast. The inner mast has grippers for engaging and lifting or lowering fuel assemblies. The outer mast has internal grooved rollers along its length. The inner mast is formed at oppositely facing channels held in a rigid assembly by plates to which the channels are secured. Opposite corners formed by the flanges and the webs of the channels penetrate into the grooves of the rollers and the inner mast is guided and held in position by the rollers. The apparatus also includes an elongated tube within the inner mast movable vertically relative to the inner mast. The tube has a grapple or gripper for engaging and lifting or lowering the component assemblies other than the fuel assemblies. The tube is penetrated by an actuator rod which locks the grapple to the assemblies. The tube is driven upwardly or downwardly by a winch. The tube is dirven upwardly or downwardly by a winch. The tube carries a primary set of lugs. The inner mast has a plate with an opening through which the lugs pass when the tube alone is driven upwardly. The plate carries a pivotal yoke which is movable between a first or closed position in which the yoke extends over the opening and a second or open position when it does not extend over the opening. In the closed position the yoke is engageable by the primary lugs so that when the tube is raised the inner mast is also raised.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4511531
- OSTI ID:
- 5343198
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 8 Apr 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-366631
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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