Method and apparatus for compacting spent nuclear reactor fuel rods

Patent · Tue Dec 22 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5457744

Wachter, W J

A nuclear fuel handling system is described including a storage container, a fuel assembly having an array of nuclear fuel rods, and a gripper apparatus to move the array of fuel rods between the fuel assembly and the storage container. The gripper apparatus includes the combination of gripper means supported by a frame to releasably engage at least diametrically opposite sides of fuel rods of the array, means for pressing the gripper means into engagement with the fuel rods, and reciprocative means to move the gripper means between spaced-apart gripping and release positions for advancing the spent fuel rods an increment of length thereof in one axial direction relative to the storage container.

• Assignee: U.S. Tool and Die, Inc., Allison Park, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4714583
• Application Number: TRN: 88-013077
• OSTI ID: 5457744
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Dec 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
FUEL RODS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
CONTAINERS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
OPERATION
STORAGE
SUPPORTS
EQUIPMENT
FUEL ELEMENTS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
220300* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements
420203 - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures