Fuel pin transfer tool
A fuel pin transfer tool has a latching device of the collet type attached to a first member movable vertically through a long work stroke enabling a fuel pin in an under water assembly to be engaged and withdrawn therefrom or placed therein and released. The latching device has a collet provided with a plurality of resilient fingers having cam portions normally spaced apart to receive the upper end of a fuel pin between them and a second member, movable vertically through a short stroke relative to the first member is provided with cam portions engageable with those of the fingers and is yieldably and resiliently held in a raised position in which its cam portions engage those of the fingers and force the fingers into their pin-gripping positions. When a predetermined force is applied to the second member, it is so moved that its cam portions are disengaged from the cam portions of the fingers permitting the latter to move into their normal relationship in which a gripped pin is released or another pin received but with their pin-gripping relationship positively re-established and maintained once the force on the tubular member is lessened. Movement of the first member in either direction and movement of the second member into its raised position is attended by forces inadequate to affect the integrity of fuel pin cladding. That force is applied in the preferred embodiment, by a power operated actuator which is within the upper portion of a housing and, in the preferred embodiment, carried by the long stroke member but always in the upper housing portion which is of a material sufficiently translucent to enable the actuator to be observed throughout the work stroke and is sufficiently light in weight to prevent the tool from being top heavy.
- Assignee:
- Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4539174
- OSTI ID:
- 6050786
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 29 Sep 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-427621
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Bridge plug
Multiple position service seal unit with positive position indicating means
Related Subjects
FUEL PINS
TRANSPORT
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
FASTENERS
MANIPULATORS
MATERIALS HANDLING
OPERATION
EQUIPMENT
FUEL ELEMENTS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
220200* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories