Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Edward P Shields

Robert E Meuschke

John B Gunter

Clifford J Winkler

Burton S Thomas

George J Quinn

Elmer A Bassler, Jr

A straightening device (16) for bent fuel assembly alignment pins (12) in an upper core plate (10) comprises elongatged mast (22) haivng an upper and lower portion, bail (25) secured to the upper portion and cross member (28) secured to the lower portion. At one end of the cross member (28) is attached pin straightening assembly (19), the other end having counterweight (31) to assure a horizontal orientation of the cross member (28). Pin straightening assembly (19) is further comprised of housing (37) having wedge-shaped adjustable shim (61) connected to its top surface, the housing (37) secured to the cross member (28) by baseplate (34). Four axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs (41) are connected between baseplate (34) and housing (37) to provide angular and translational compliance for housing (37). Housing (37) has two vertical holes disposed therein, first hole (50) adapted to receive hardened die insert (54) having bore (55 ) with frusto-conical opening (56) for receiving bent pin (12), and second hole (51) for receiving another pin (14). Connected to baseplate (34) opposite housing (37) is hydraulic ram (44) for moving housing (37) into full planar contact with bottom surface (47) of upper core plate (10) to effectuate the straightening of bent pin (12).

Fuel assembly alignment pin straightening method

A straightening device (16) for bent fuel assembly alignment pins (12) in an upper core plate (10) comprises elongated mast (22) having an upper and lower portion, bail (25) secured to the upper portion and cross member (28) secured to the lower portion. At one end of the cross member (28) is attached pin straightening assembly (19), the other end having counterweight (31) to assure a horizontal orientation of the cross member (28). Pin straightening assembly (19) is further comprised of housing (37) having wedge-shaped adjustable shim (61) connected to its top surface, the housing (37) secured to the cross member (28) by baseplate (34). Four axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs (41) are connected between baseplate (34) and housing (37) to provide angular and translational compliance for housing (37). Housing (37) has two vertical holes disposed therein, first hole (50) adapted to receive hardened die insert (54) having bore (55 ) with frusto-conical opening (56) for receiving bent pin (12), and second hole (51) for receiving another pin (14). Connected to base plate (34) opposite housing (37) is hydraulic ram (44) for moving housing (37) into full planar contact with bottom surface (47) of upper core plate (10) to effectuate the straightening of bent pin (12).

Fuel assembly alignment pin straightening device

Apparatus for sealing the seam between two conduits which includes two cooperatively threaded members for applying relative axial clamping forces to the conduits. When the two cooperatively threaded members are relatively rotated, they apply relative axial force to the conduits thereby causing a sealing means to be disposed in tight contact between the conduits.

Apparatus for sealing the seam between two conduits

Both an apparatus and a process for removing fuel rods from spent fuel assemblies is disclosed herein. The apparatus of the invention includes a locking plate having a plurality of tapered holes registrable with the rods of a fuel rod assembly, a plurality of tapered collets, each of which includes a hollow portion for receiving the ends of the fuel rods, and a plurality of hydraulically operated plungers for withdrawing each of the tapered collets into its respective tapered hole in the locking plate, thereby contracting the hollow portion of the collet around its respective rod in gripping engagement. The use of hydraulic plungers causes each of the collets to apply substantially the same gripping force onto its respective fuel rod. Additionally, the apparatus includes a means for confirming whether each of the collets has grippingly engaged its respective rod.

Multiple fuel rod gripper

The multiple fuel rod gripper comprises a plurality of split tube collets arranged to be inserted into corresponding tapered holes in a locking plate. When the gripper has been positioned to have a plurality of fuel rods disposed in the holes of locking plate, an actuating mechanism causes the collets to be inserted into the tapered holes thereby causing the fuel rods to be inserted in the collets. The taper of the holes forces the collets into locking engagement with the fuel rods so that the fuel rods may be extracted from the fuel assembly.

Nuclear fuel rod bundle transferring apparatus is disclosed for transferring a bundle of the rods along a path from a first container to a second container. The apparatus includes a set of rollers mounted to permit the distance between the axes of the rollers to be varied from a first distance sufficient to receive the bundle of fuel rods to a second distance less than said first distance, wherein the rollers engage opposing sides of the bundle of nuclear fuel rods. A hatch is disposable between a first position intercepting the path and retaining the bundle of fuel rods within the first container, and a second position permitting the bundle of nuclear fuel rods to be transferred from the first container to the second container.

Nuclear fuel rod bundle drive apparatus

The baffle inspection apparatus comprises a gauging mechanism mounted on a movable support for determining the width of a gap between two adjacent baffle plates in a nuclear reactor. The gauging mechanism comprises a rotatable member with a plurality of feeler gauges disposed thereon that is capable of remotely rotating and laterally aligning each feeler gauge with the selected gap to determine the size of the gap. The apparatus may be equipped with underwater camera and lights for remotely viewing the inspection operation.

Baffle maintenance apparatus

The baffle maintenance apparatus comprises a peening apparatus mounted on a movable carriage for reducing the width of a gap between two adjacent baffle plates in a nuclear reactor. The peening apparatus comprises an hydraulic hammer mounted on a pivotable plate that is capable of being positioned in proper relationship to the baffle plate for reducing the gap therebetween. The baffle maintenance apparatus may also comprise a gauging mechanism mounted on the carriage for determining the width of the gap between the baffle plates.

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North Huntingdon, PA, United States of America

Edward P Shields