System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module

Matchett, Richard L; Roof, David R; Kikta, Thomas J; Wilczynski, Rosemarie; Nilsen, Roy J; Bacvinskas, William S; Fodor, George

Title: System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module

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Abstract

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.

Inventors:

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]

Bethel Park, PA
North Huntingdon, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
McKees Rocks, PA

Issue Date:: 1990-01-01

Research Org.:: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

OSTI Identifier:: 867278

Patent Number(s):: 4903281

Assignee:: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):: Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

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Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
G21C3/335 - Exchanging elements in irradiated bundles
G21C19/10 - Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements

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DOE Contract Number:: AC11-76PN00014

Resource Type:: Patent

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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

Citation Formats


                    Matchett, Richard L, Roof, David R, Kikta, Thomas J, Wilczynski, Rosemarie, Nilsen, Roy J, Bacvinskas, William S, and Fodor, George. System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module.  United States: N. p., 1990. 
        Web.

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                    Matchett, Richard L, Roof, David R, Kikta, Thomas J, Wilczynski, Rosemarie, Nilsen, Roy J, Bacvinskas, William S, & Fodor, George. System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module.  United States.

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                    Matchett, Richard L, Roof, David R, Kikta, Thomas J, Wilczynski, Rosemarie, Nilsen, Roy J, Bacvinskas, William S, and Fodor, George. Mon .  
        "System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module".  United States.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/867278.

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@article{osti_867278,

  title        = {System for fuel rod removal from a reactor module},

  author       = {Matchett, Richard L and Roof, David R and Kikta, Thomas J and Wilczynski, Rosemarie and Nilsen, Roy J and Bacvinskas, William S and Fodor, George},

  abstractNote = {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.},

  doi          = {},

  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {1990},

  month        = {1}

}

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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. 7 figs.
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