Patent US2164527A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3690715A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3690715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traveling crane head subassembly for atomic reactor fuel cells
Assignee: STEARNS ROGER CORP
•
Filing: 1969-11-26
•
Granted: 1972-09-12
•
Expires: 1989-11-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a head subassembly for changing fuel cells in an atomic reactor that includes a plurality of hook-like fingers pivotally movable from a released into an engaged position locked beneath a downwardly-facing shoulder around the top of the cell. These fingers are cammed between their released and engaged positions by a pneumatic-servo-motor actuated cam plate. Each of the fingers is suspended from a separate sealed fluid chamber of variable volume and the several chambers are, in turn, serially interconnected to form a self-equalizing hydraulic system wherein the load is evenly distributed to maintain the cell in plumb relation.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Vanlingen
- 👤 Eugene W Pickett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:48
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/10; G21C19/105; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S294/00; Y10S294/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
In an overhead traveling hoist for use in changing fuel cells of the type having a peripheral groove defining a downwardlyfacing lifting surface in the core of an atomic reactor, the head subassembly which comprises: platform means attached in substantially horizontal position on the lower end of the hoist; at least three sealed fluid chambers of variable volume resting atop the platform means arranged in equi-angularly spaced relation to one another; manifold means serially interconnecting the fluid chambers adapted to maintain a balanced though variable fluid pressure throughout the hydraulic system defined thereby; hanger means suspended from the top of each fluid chamber operative under load to reduce the volume and increase the fluid pressure in the latter; hook means mounted on each hanger means for pivotal movEment about a horizontal axis between a released position and an engaged position hooked beneath the downwardlyfacing lifting surface of a fuel cell, each of said hook means in engaged position being adapted to independently co-act with its hanger means and fluid chamber to assume a position relative to the other of said hook means such that the load is shared equally therebetween; actuating means connected to the hook means operative upon actuation from a remote control station to shift said hook means between its engaged and released positions; and, latch means responsive to relative movement between it and the hook means occasioned by said latch means contacting the fuel cell operative to releasably lock said hook means in at least its engaged position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
In an overhead traveling hoist for use in changing fuel cells of the type having a peripheral groove defining a downwardlyfacing lifting surface in the core of an atomic reactor, the head subassembly which comprises: platform means attached in substantially horizontal position on the lower end of the hoist; at least three sealed fluid chambers of variable volume resting atop the platform means arranged in equi-angularly spaced relation to one another; manifold means serially interconnecting the fluid chambers adapted to maintain a balanced though variable fluid pressure throughout the hydraulic system defined thereby; hanger means suspended from the top of each fluid chamber operative under load to reduce the volume and increase the fluid pressure in the latter; hook means mounted on each hanger means for pivotal movEment about a horizontal axis between a released position and an engaged position hooked beneath the downwardlyfacing lifting surface of a fuel cell, each of said hook means in engaged position being adapted to independently co-act with its hanger means and fluid chamber to assume a position relative to the other of said hook means such that the load is shared equally therebetween; actuating means connected to the hook means operative upon actuation from a remote control station to shift said hook means between its engaged and released positions; and, latch means responsive to relative movement between it and the hook means occasioned by said latch means contacting the fuel cell operative to releasably lock said hook means in at least its engaged position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: the fluid chambers comprise upstanding collapsible bellows elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: the actuating means includes cam means encircling the hook means for vertical movement relative thereto between an upper and lower position, said cam means in its lower position being operative to engage the hook means and simultaneously shift same from their released into their engaged positions, and said cam means in its upper position being operative to engage said hook means and simultaneously return same to their released positions; and, servo-motor means connected to the cam means operative upon actuation in one mode to shift the latter into its lower position and in a second mode to raise same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: the latch means includes a latch element corresponding to each hook means mounted on the underside of the platform for movement relative thereto and relative to said hook means between a latched position in engagement with the latter and a released position disengaged therefrom, and stop-carrying means movable with said latch elements positioned to engage the top of a fuel cell as the head subassembly is lowered thereon with the hook means in their released positions, said stop-carrying means being operative when in engagement with the fuel cell to raise the latch elements into their disengaged position upon further downward relative movement of the head subassembly, and said stop-carrying means being operative to release said latch elements into latched position following movement of the hook means into their engaged position when the head subassembly is returned to an elevated position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: the hanger means comprise a plate resting atop each fluid chamber vertically movable in response to changes in the volume thereof, bracket means supporting each hook means for pivotal movement located beneath the platform in substantial vertical alignment with one of said fluid chambers, and link means interconnecting said plate and bracket means for conjoint vertical movement independent of said platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 4 in which: the latch means is operative in latched position to lock the hook means in either its released or engaged positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 4 in which: spring means located between the platform and latch means normally bias the latter into latched position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 4 in which: the stop-carrying means each include projections positioned and adapted to move down alongside the fuel cell, said projections cooperating with one another to center same therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 4 in which: the latch elements include vertically-disposed ears; and in which the hook means include a pair of notches in the upper edges thereof positioned to receive the ears in both the engaged and released positions of the latter upon movement of the latch means into latched position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The head subassembly as set forth in claim 8 in which: the projections each include inwardly-chamfered lower end portions adApted to engage the top of the fuel cell and guide same into centered position therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |