Method and apparatus for positioning and ejecting fuel element bundles in and from a downstream end of a horizontally extending fuel channel
A fuel bundle positioning and ejecting apparatus comprises two piston members, one slidable along a stem on the other piston member, and a compression spring urging the pistons apart, is secured in a horizontally extending fuel channel upstream of the coolant flow therealong. The downstream one of the piston members has a shield plug attached thereto and the piston members are urged together in a fuel channel with he compression spring compressed, by a series of fuel element bundles along the fuel channel. When the downstream end of the fuel channel is opened using a fuelling machine, with pressurized coolant therein and continued circulation of coolant along the fuel channel, the compression spring expands causing the piston members to become entrained in the coolant and urge the fuel element bundles out of the fuel channel and into the fuelling machine. The positioning and ejecting device avoids the trailing fuel element bundle from becoming trapped in a downstream end of the fuel channel through which there is no coolant flow. The apparatus includes variable flow restriction means to prevent the flow in the channel from increasing beyond acceptable limits to the fuel since the flow inherently tends to increase as fuel bundles are being removed and the flow resistance in the channel is reduced.
- Assignee:
- Atomic Energy Of Canada Ltd (Canada)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4229255
- OSTI ID:
- 6562211
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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