Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Peter Leombruni

Frank J Formanek

Edward F Lamoureux

Francis X McDonald

Edward G Sirica

Scott A Kendrick

A nuclear power plant fuel transfer tube quick operating remote closure device (10) comprised of a reducing ring (20) and a cover assembly (60). The reducing ring (20) is bolted to the transfer tube housing flange (12). Rotation of a chuck key advances jaws on the cover assembly (60) which feed closure latches (78) into a groove (40) on the reducing ring (20). The upper surface (80) of each latch (78) has a bevelled surface (82) corresponding to a bevelled surface (42) of the groove (40). As the latches (78) engage the groove bevelled surface (42), the entire cover assembly (60) is uniformly drawn toward the reducing ring (20). Machined seal faces (13, 30, 44, 68) and O rings (36, 74) provide a fluid and air tight seal between the transfer tube housing flange (12) and the sealing ring (20) and between the cover assembly (60) and the sealing ring (20). Belleville springs (86) in the latch assemblies (64) allow the latches (78) to move independently as they engage the reducing ring (20), provide a latch preload to compensate for the effects of differential thermal expansion, and allow the cover assembly (60) to be installed simply by turning the mechanical actuator (62) until it is hardstopped.

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Wethersfield, CT, United States of America

Peter Leombruni