Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus

Details Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus

1986-05-05

1988-04-12

Walsh, Donald P.

Metal deforming

By relatively receding work-engaging tool-faces

Embodying three or more tools

72479, 376260, 294 8625, 2940219, B21D 4102, G21C 1900

Patent

active

047366133

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for repairing bent mixing vanes in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly is provided, including a unique tool and a related tool handling device. The tool is an elongated tube with a housing containing two sets of opposing, high-strength blades movable between closed and opened positions. The tool is inserted into a fuel cell detected as having a grid with a bent mixing vane to a location below the damaged grid with the blades in the closed position. The blades are then remotely opened and the tool is withdrawn. As the tool is withdrawn, one blade abuts the bent mixing vane and bends it back close to its original position. The blades are then closed and the tool is fully extracted from the fuel cell. Once the tool is fully extracted, the fuel rod can again be reliably inserted into the repaired fuel cell. The related method includes the steps of: introducing the apparatus below the damaged grid; opening the blades; withdrawing the apparatus so that a blade abuts and straightens the bent mixing vane; closing the blades; and fully extracting the apparatus from the fuel cell.

REFERENCES:
patent: 559932 (1896-05-01), Clark
patent: 1445581 (1923-02-01), Fullop
patent: 2142017 (1938-12-01), Riemenschneider et al.
patent: 3152830 (1964-10-01), Pounder et al.
patent: 3379618 (1968-04-01), Frisch
patent: 3719560 (1973-03-01), Mayers et al.
patent: 4244616 (1981-01-01), Buchalet
patent: 4418770 (1983-12-01), Lambot
patent: 4427622 (1984-01-01), Knecht et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nuclear reactor fuel assembly mixing vane repair apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1422340