Fuel assembly unlatching and handling gripper

Patent · Tue Mar 03 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7090166

Meuschke, R E; Hornak, L P

A refueling system is described for a nuclear facility, comprising: a refueling machine, comprising an outer stationary mast and a vertically movable inner mast, for removing and inserting fuel assemblies from and into the reactor core of the facility; means mounted upon each of the fuel assemblies for engaging and disengaging support structure within the nuclear reactor core so as to fixedly connect and disconnect each of the fuel assemblies to and from the nuclear reactor core upon insertion and removal of each of the fuel assemblies within and out of the nuclear reactor core; means mounted upon the vertically movable inner mast of the refueling machine for gripping each of the fuel assemblies so as to facilitate the transportation of each of the fuel assemblies during the insertion and removal of each of the fuel assemblies into and out of the nuclear reactor core; first rotary drive means mounted upon the outer stationary mast of the refueling machine; and second rotary drive means, separate and distinct from the gripping means, mounted upon the vertically movable inner mast of the refueling machine for engaging the first rotary drive means of the outer stationary mast and actuating the connecting and disconnecting means mounted upon each of the fuel assemblies independently of the operation of the gripping means mounted upon the vertically movable inner mast of the refueling machine.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4647424
• OSTI ID: 7090166
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
EQUIPMENT
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
GRABS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR FUELING
REMOTE HANDLING
REMOVAL
SUPPORTS
TRANSPORT