Device and method for unfastening and lifting a top nozzle subassembly from a reconstitutable fuel assembly
This patent describes a reconstitutable fuel assembly including at least one guide thimble having an upper end portion and a top nozzle subassembly having a lower adapter plate with at least one opening, and an upper hold-down plate with at least one passageway positioned above and aligned with the lower adapter plate opening. At least one hold-down spring is disposed and extends between the upper and lower plates and at least one elongated tubular hollow sleeve is disposed and extends between the upper and lower plates. The upper end portion of the guide thimble extends upwardly through the opening in the lower adapter plate and has a threaded terminal end disposed above the adapter plate. The threaded terminal end of the guide thimble and an upper end extend upwardly through the passageway of the upper hold-down plate. A device is described for unfastening and lifting the top nozzle subassembly from the guide thimble of the fuel assembly, comprising: (a) at least one hollow gripper tube, the tube having an open lower end; (b) means mounting the gripper tube for vertical alignment with and insertion of its lower end portion into the elongated sleeve of the top nozzle subassembly to a position therein located above and adjacent to the threaded lower end of the sleeve; (c) force-generating means disposed within the gripper tube for rotatable movement and concurrent axial movement upwardly and downwardly within the tube and also disposed at the open lower end of the gripper tube for extension into and from the gripper tube open lower end upon axial movement upwardly and downwardly within the gripper tube.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4646415
- Application Number:
- TRN: 87-014493
- OSTI ID:
- 6982586
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 4 Apr 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Top nozzle and guide thimble joint structure in a nuclear fuel assembly
Top nozzle alignment sleeve capture arrangement in a reconstitutable fuel assembly