US3887980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel bundle disassembly and assembly tool
Assignee: Framatome ANP Richland Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear power reactor fuel bundle having a plurality of tubular fuel rods disposed in parallel array between two transverse tie plates is secured against disassembly by one or more locking forks which engage slots in tie rods which position the transverse plates. Springs mounted on the fuel and tie rods are compressed when the bundle is assembled thereby maintaining a continual pressure against the locking forks. Force applied in opposition to the springs permits withdrawal of the locking forks so that one tie plate may be removed, giving access to the fuel rods. an assembly and disassembly tool facilitates removal of the locking forks when the bundle is to be disassembled and the placing of the forks during assembly of the bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Yates
- 👤 John W Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:11
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/334; B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S294/00; Y10S294/906; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/531; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/53848
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
A tool for assembling and disassembling a nuclear power reactor fuel bundle of the type having a plurality of tie rods in parallel array, each of said rods being secured at one end to a lower tie plate disposed normal to the axes of said tie rods and the other end extending through openings in an upper tie plate, said tie plates having openings for accepting and positioning fuel rods in parallel array therebetween, and wherein each of said tie rods is provided with an elongated slot near the end extending through said upper tie plate for receiving the tines of a locking fork to secure said tie plates against separation by compressed springs mounted therebetween, said tool comprising in combination: (a) a means for depressing said upper tie plate relative to said tie rods and toward said lower tie plate against the pressure of said compressed springs by acting against a rigid support fixed in position relative to said lower tie plate and thereby exposing said tie rod slots; (b) locking fork carrier means for engaging and moving said locking forks in a direction substantially parallel to said upper tie plate after said upper tie plate has been depressed by said depressing means of (a), said carrier means mounted on said depressing means and capable of moving independently thereof, said fork carrier means being operated by a force directed normal to said upper tie plate and including a means for translating said normal force into a force parallel to said upper tie plate for moving said locking forks; c. means for engaging and disengaging said depressing means and said fork carrier means whereby said depressing means may be engaged with said fork carrier means when said upper tie plate is depressed and disengaged when said locking forks are moved by said carrier means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
A tool for assembling and disassembling a nuclear power reactor fuel bundle of the type having a plurality of tie rods in parallel array, each of said rods being secured at one end to a lower tie plate disposed normal to the axes of said tie rods and the other end extending through openings in an upper tie plate, said tie plates having openings for accepting and positioning fuel rods in parallel array therebetween, and wherein each of said tie rods is provided with an elongated slot near the end extending through said upper tie plate for receiving the tines of a locking fork to secure said tie plates against separation by compressed springs mounted therebetween, said tool comprising in combination: (a) a means for depressing said upper tie plate relative to said tie rods and toward said lower tie plate against the pressure of said compressed springs by acting against a rigid support fixed in position relative to said lower tie plate and thereby exposing said tie rod slots; (b) locking fork carrier means for engaging and moving said locking forks in a direction substantially parallel to said upper tie plate after said upper tie plate has been depressed by said depressing means of (a), said carrier means mounted on said depressing means and capable of moving independently thereof, said fork carrier means being operated by a force directed normal to said upper tie plate and including a means for translating said normal force into a force parallel to said upper tie plate for moving said locking forks; c. means for engaging and disengaging said depressing means and said fork carrier means whereby said depressing means may be engaged with said fork carrier means when said upper tie plate is depressed and disengaged when said locking forks are moved by said carrier means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tool of claim 1 further comprising means for aligning said tie rods mounted on said depressing means of (a) so that the slots in said rods are properly positioned to receive said locking forks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein said means for depressing the upper tie plate comprises a first elongated substantially tubular body member having a C-shaped slot and a plurality of guide tubes disposed at one end thereof through which member force may be exerted through said guide tubes upoN raised tie plate bosses around the openings through which said tie rods extend, said elongated substantially tubular member having a threaded circumferential coupling disposed for engagement with said fixed support of (a), thereby permitting force to be placed upon said upper tie plate by threading said coupling against said fixed support bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tool of claim 3 wherein said locking fork carrier means comprises fork sliders operatively disposed outwardly of said depressing means to engage and move said locking forks in a direction substantially parallel to said upper tie plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tool of claim 4 wherein said means for translating normal force to parallel force comprises a second elongated body member disposed inside said first elongated body member and operatively connected to said fork sliders through lever arms attached to said second elongated body member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
The tool of claim 5 wherein said engaging and disengaging means comprises a pin passing transversely through both said first and second elongated body members and terminating in said outer body member within said C-shaped slot whereby when said pin is located in a horizontal portion of said C-shaped slot, said elongated body members can be moved vertically only together but when said pin is located within the vertical portion of said C-shaped slot said body members are free to move independently of each other to the extent permitted by the height of said vertical portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
The tool of claim 2 wherein said means for aligning said tie rods comprise spring loaded plugs positioned internally of guide tubes disposed at one end of said depressing means of (a) which engage the raised bosses through which the tie rods pass, each of said plugs having a male member to engage a slot in the top of the corresponding tie rod and a slot at the upper end of said plug to receive a tool for rotating said plugs and a spring ball plunger disposed to engage a slot provided in said guide tube, thereby indicating when correct positioning of the tie rod slots has been achieved.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |