General Electric Company

Bob Y Okashima

Michael P Karazim

Russell Patrick Higgins

Robert C Dixon

Bradley G Stoll

Peter A Peterson

Gary I Borchardt

John J Ashburn

Ronald D Poland

A part length fuel rod tip and group of tip grasping tools is set forth for the removal, inspection and replacement of part length fuel rods from a fuel bundle having a part length rods interspersed with a majority of conventional full length rods. The part length fuel rod tip includes a longitudinal keyway allowing torque to be exerted on the fuel rod and a horizontal slot enabling grasping of the fuel rod for vertical withdrawal and replacement movement of the fuel rod. The tools include a torque socket for applying high torque forces to the part length rod for unscrewing the rod when the rod becomes stuck at its threaded connection to the lower tie plate, a tip grasping tool for permitting normal unscrewing torque and grasping for vertical withdrawal and replacement, and finally a tool having both high torque and grasping characteristics. In each case, the diameter of the tools is restricted to enable access to the part length fuel rods through the spacers overlying the upwardly exposed ends of the part length fuel rods.

Partial length rod upper end plug and grapples therefor

An apparatus for underwater separation of a jet pump beam from the inlet mixer of a jet pump in a nuclear reactor system. The apparatus underwater cuts a retaining piece coupling the beam with the inlet mixer.

Jet pump beam bolt retainer cutter

A jet pump plug for a multi-nozzle jet pump is disclosed wherein the nozzles are accessible through a relatively small opening in the pump structure. The plug comprises a plurality of sections, each including a closure plate and a lever coupled thereto. Each plug section is constructed so as to allow that section to be separately introduced into the opening to the vicinity of the nozzles from a location which may be remote from the pump. The closure plates are manipulated through their attached levers from a remote location to the end of sealing the nozzles with them. The first plug section introduced through the opening includes means for alignment relative to the jet pump structure so as to orient its closure plate with respect to the nozzles. The remaining plug section is supported by the first plug section upon being introduced into the opening. The orientation of the closure plate of the latter plug section relative to the nozzles is effected with reference to the first introduced plug section which serves as a support therefor.

Jet pump plug

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bob Y Okashima