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Title: Combined gripper for a nuclear reactor

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5976611

A device for use in handling nuclear elements, such as control rods, fuel elements and blind rods in a nuclear energy plant, comprises, a hoist having a gripper rod assembly, which includes a tubular column structure into which is engaged a top movable part which is adapted to be connected to a lifting cable. The top movable part carries a crossbar which is engaged by engaging members which are pivotally mounted within the tubular column structure of the gripper rod assembly and which have pin elements thereon which, when the engaging members are positioned inwardly, engage in recesses between teeth defined on the crossbar. The engaging elements are moved by an actuating rod which is reciprocatable in the tubular column structure and includes a piston portion which is movable in a fluid cylinder portion so as to shift the engaging members between an outwardly oriented postion in which they engage into teeth elements of an annular rim of a gripper casing or an axially inwardly oriented position in which they are moved inwardly sufficiently so that the gripper rod assembly will clear a top opening of the casing and permit disengagement thereof.

Assignee:
Noell, Gg Gmbh (Germany, Federal Republic Of)
Patent Number(s):
US 4279699
OSTI ID:
5976611
Resource Relation:
Patent Priority Date: Priority date 17 Dec 1977, German, Federal Republic of (F.R. Germany)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English