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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Gripping apparatus of a lifting device, especially in a core reactor for setting down and lifting fuel elements and fuel rods

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7351803

A gripping and lifting device is described for use with fuel elements and control rod means in a nuclear core reactor in which a carriage having a winch thereon supports a mast beneath the carriage in which is slidable a tubular body within which, in turn, is slidable a housing. Cables lead from the winch to the first body for vertical movement thereof while the housing has limited axial movement in the aforementioned body. On the lower end of the housing are two gripper devices, one for engagement with the control rods and the other for engagement with the fuel element. Separate actuators are provided for the two grippers, and sensing devices are included in the structure for sensing the positions of the grippers. A feature of the arrangement is that when the body is elevated and the housing moves downwardly therein to a stopped position, the gripper for the fuel element is locked in its respective position.

Assignee:
Fried, Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
Patent Number(s):
US 3945514
OSTI ID:
7351803
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English