System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867278

Matchett, Richard L ^[1]; Roof, David R ^[2]; Kikta, Thomas J ^[3]; Wilczynski, Rosemarie ^[4]; Nilsen, Roy J ^[3]; Bacvinskas, William S ^[1]; Fodor, George ^[3]

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1. Bethel Park, PA
2. North Huntingdon, PA
3. Pittsburgh, PA
4. McKees Rocks, PA

A robotic system for remote underwater withdrawal of the fuel rods from fuel modules of a light water breeder reactor includes a collet/grapple assembly for gripping and removing fuel rods in each module, which is positioned by use of a winch and a radial support means attached to a vertical support tube which is mounted over the fuel module. A programmable logic controller in conjunction with a microcomputer, provides control for the accurate positioning and pulling force of the rod grapple assembly. Closed circuit television cameras are provided which aid in operator interface with the robotic system.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4903281
• OSTI ID: 867278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/376/976/
accurate
accurate position
assembly
attached
breeder
breeder reactor
cameras
circuit
closed
closed circuit
collet
conjunction
control
controller
force
fuel
fuel module
fuel modules
fuel rod
fuel rods
grapple
grapple assembly
gripping
interface
light
light water
logic
means
means attached
microcomputer
module
modules
mounted
operator
positioned
positioning
programmable
programmable logic
provided
provides
provides control
pulling
radial
reactor
reactor module
remote
removal
removing
robotic
rod
rods
support
support means
support tube
television
television camera
television cameras
tube
underwater
vertical
vertical support
water
water breeder
winch
withdrawal