EP0066695A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spent fuel consolidation apparatus
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1982-04-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-04-16
Abstract
Abstract The spent fuel consolidation apparatus for vertically and remotely dismantling an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly while the fuel assembly remains submerged in a coolant and for consolidating the spent fuel rods of the dismantled fuel assembly. The apparatus comprises a platform (20) rotatably mounted on a vertical support (22) with a fuel assembly station (24), a consolidation station (26), and a canister station (28) attached to the platform (20). A gripper mechanism (32) is movably disposed on the vertical support (22) for transferring spent fuel rods (40) from one station to another as the various stations are rotated into alignment with the gripper mechanism (32). In the fuel assembly station a fuel assembly (38) is held in position while the spent fuel rods (40) are removed therefrom, in the consolidation station (26) the spent fuel rods are consolidated, and in the canister station the consolidated spent fuel rods are contained in close array.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Pomaibo
- 👤 Ralph W. Tolino
- 👤 Michael G. Hicken
- 👤 Fred Kirschensteiner
- 👤 Duane A. True
- 👤 Alexander Taleff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:04
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/32; G21C19/02; G21C19/06; G21C19/34; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for remotely consolidating nuclear fuel rods taken from fuel assemblies in which the fuel rods are supported spaced from each other in first and second perpendicular directions, characterized by row ordering means (80) arranged to accept a plurality of nuclear fuel rods (40) for rearranging said fuel rods (40) into a different configuration, first consolidation means (82) associated with said row ordering means (80) for compacting individual rows of said fuel rods (40) in said first direction, and second consolidation means (84) associated with said row ordering means (80) for compacting said fuel rods (40) in said second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for remotely consolidating nuclear fuel rods taken from fuel assemblies in which the fuel rods are supported spaced from each other in first and second perpendicular directions, characterized by row ordering means (80) arranged to accept a plurality of nuclear fuel rods (40) for rearranging said fuel rods (40) into a different configuration, first consolidation means (82) associated with said row ordering means (80) for compacting individual rows of said fuel rods (40) in said first direction, and second consolidation means (84) associated with said row ordering means (80) for compacting said fuel rods (40) in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said first consolidation means (82) is so connected to said row ordering means (80) as to compact individual rows of said fuel rods (40) as said fuel rods (40) exit said row ordering means (80).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second consolidation means (84) is arranged adjacent said first consolidation means (82) so as to accept individual rows of horizontally consolidated fuel rods (40) for compacting in the second direction a plurality of fuel rods compacted already. in said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said row ordering means (80) comprises a first frame (86), a second frame (92), and a plurality of guide tubes (88) having a first end supported by said first frame (86) and having said first end arranged in a configuration for having a plurality of said fuel rods (40) inserted therein in a configuration similar to the configuration of said fuel rods (40) in a fuel assembly (38), and having a second end supported by said second frame (92) and having said second end arranged in a closely packed configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of said guide tubes (88) is bent between said first frame (86) and said second frame (92).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first consolidation means (82) comprises a first housing (94), and a plurality of first plates (96) disposed in said housing (94) defining a plurality of first spaces (98) therebetween for accommodating rows of said fuel rods (40), said housing (94) and said first plates (96) being arranged in a converging manner so that said rows of fuel rods (40) are compacted as said fuel rods (40) are moved through said first spaces (98).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said second consolidation means (84) comprises a second housing (106), with a plurality of second plates (96) disposed therein and each of said second plates (96) having a different length and defining a plurality of second spaces therebetween for accommodating a row of said fuel rods (40), and a plurality of rollers (108) disposed in said second housing (106) near the ends of said second plates (96) for contacting rows of said fuel rods (40) as said fuel rods (40) emerge from beyond the end of one of said second plates (96) for bending the rows of said fuel rods (40) into contact with adjacent rows of said fuel rods (40) thereby compacting the rows of said fuel rods (40).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a vertical support structure (22) with a platform (20) supported thereon rotatably about the axis of said vertical support structure (22) wherein a fuel assembly station (24) is attached to said platform (22) for supporting a nuclear fuel assembly (38) and said consolidation means (82, 84) are supported on said platform (22) adjacent said fuel assembly station (24) and a gripper mechanism (32) movably supported on said vertical support structure (22) and capable of gripping fuel assemblies (38) and fuel rods (40) for removing said fuel rods (40) from said fuel assemblies (38) and inserting them into said consolidation means (82, 84) for closely packing said fuel rods (40).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that a canister mechanism (28) is attached to said platform (20) adjacent said consolidation means (82, 84) for holding said fuel rods (40) in a closely packed array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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