Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Handling of fission reactor component structure within... – Fuel component
Patent
1992-08-21
1993-10-05
Wasil, Daniel D.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Handling of fission reactor component structure within...
Fuel component
29723, G21C 2100
Patent
active
052512436
ABSTRACT:
An automated fuel assembly loader, capable of patterned loading, moves nuclear fuel rods in a loading direction between a fuel rod skeleton defining an array of receptacles for the fuel rods, and a fuel rod magazine supplying or receiving the fuel rods. A table supports the fuel rod skeleton at a loading position. A movable carriage having a line of individual fuel rod engaging devices moves a subset of fuel rods along the line forward in the loading direction. The rods are selected via a pattern stored in a controller. Selection devices such as pneumatic clamps mechanically couple the selected engaging devices to the carriage for movement while others are left behind. A ball screw carriage drive arrangement moves the carriage parallel to the loading direction and a jack screw positioning drive displaces the carriage perpendicular to the line of fuel rods. A controller is coupled to the carriage drive and to the selection devices, and stores data defining a preset pattern of receptacles in the array, operating the selection devices for actuating a group of engaging devices corresponding to the pattern. The controller also controls displacement speed, permitting patterned loading of the skeleton, for example to obtain a particular pattern of fuel rod enrichments, the controller moving line by line through an array of fuel rod receptacles in the skeleton.
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Lambert David V.
McDill Kendell L.
Nylund Theodore W.
Wasil Daniel D.
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
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