System and method for consolidating spent fuel rods

Patent · Tue Apr 21 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6566764

Baudro, T O

A system is described for consolidating spent fuel rods from spent fuel assemblies, comprising: a consolidation container in which the fuel rods may be packed; a frame capable of holding a fuel assembly and the container during consolidation, the frame permitting each of the fuel assembly and the container to be removed; tool means with gripper means for gripping and releasing a rod, the tool means including means for moving the gripper means upwardly and downwardly; a first indexing head having first guide means for guiding the gripper means while the gripper means moves downwardly; a first rail, the first indexing head being slidably mounted on the first rail; a second indexing head having second guide means for guiding the gripper means while the gripper means moves downwardly; a second rail, the second indexing head being slidably mounted on the second rail; and a third rail, the first rail and the second rail being slidably mounted on the third rail; wherein the first indexing head is slidable on the first and third rails to a first position that is above a preselected rod in the fuel assembly; and wherein the second indexing head is slidable on the second and third rails to a second position that is above a preselected location in the container.

• Assignee: Proto-Power Corporation, Groton, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4659536
• OSTI ID: 6566764
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050900* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
CONFIGURATION
CONTAINERS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
FUELS
GRABS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
NUCLEAR FUELS
POSITIONING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
SPENT FUELS