Remotely controlled apparatus for removing clips from irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies

Patent · Tue Jun 16 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6434467

Cooke, W R; Haugen, B G; Reparaz, A

This patent describes a nuclear plant facility having irradiated clips securing together fuel rods of an irradiated nuclear fuel rod assembly contained underwater in a tank, a clip removing apparatus comprising: a tool having: a frame; first and second substantially parallel fuel rod support means secured the frame for supporting portions of the fuel rods located above and below a clip to be removed; first and second cams on opposing faces of the first and second fuel rod support means; first and second jaws each having an outer surface profiled for interaction with the first and second cams, respectively; jaw support block slideably located between first and second fuel rod support means for providing opposed pivotal mounting of the first and second jaws to permit the first and second jaws to pivot between open and closed positions as the block is moved between forwardmost and rearwardmost positions relative to the first and second fuel rod support means; and jaw actuator means connected between the jaw support block means and the frame, remotely operable for selectively moving the jaw support block means between forwardmost and rearwardmost positions. The tool is prepositioned with a clip to be removed between the first and second fuel rod support means, and the block means in a forwardmost position the first and second jaws open over the top and bottom edges of the clip, respectively. The jaw actuator is operated to move the block means rearward, causing the first and second jaws to pivot closed for grasping the clip, and thereafter pulling the clip free of the fuel assembly as the block means continues to move rearward.

• Assignee: Advanced Nuclear Fuels Corp., Florham Park, NJ
• Patent Number(s): US 4673545
• OSTI ID: 6434467
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
42 ENGINEERING
420203 -- Engineering-- Handling Equipment & Procedures
CONTAINERS
CONTROL
EQUIPMENT
FASTENERS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
GRABS
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE HANDLING
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
SUPPORTS
TANKS
UNDERWATER OPERATIONS