Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Reactor structures – Circulating fluid within reactor
Patent
1992-05-22
1994-03-22
Wasil, Daniel D.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Reactor structures
Circulating fluid within reactor
411 55, G21C 506
Patent
active
052971767
ABSTRACT:
The guide pin aligning a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly to an upper core plate of a nuclear reactor, is replaced working exclusively from below the upper core plate. The replacement guide pin has a shaft portion engaged with the upper core plate and the clamping nut which held the original guide pin, by threadable connection and/or by an expansion fitting. A shoulder on the pin bears against a lower surface of the upper core plate, and a nose of the pin is received in the top nozzle of the fuel assembly. A preferred expansion fitting has a bushing with ridges on its outer surface and a conical inside surface, and is inserted into the bored out original guide pin shaft. A threaded conical plug is pulled axially with rotation of the replacement pin shaft to expand the bushing. The ridges rigidly lock the replacement pin between the shoulder and the clamping nut. By attaching the replacement pin to the stub of the original pin, the invention utilizes existing attachments of the original pin to the upper core plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4820479 (1989-04-01), Hornak et al.
patent: 5030413 (1991-07-01), Knierriem et al.
patent: 5164154 (1992-11-01), Brown et al.
"Replacing fuel alignment pins in Germany"-Nuclear Engineering International, pp. 49-51 Sep. 1991.
Altman David A.
Bevilacqua Bruce W.
Calhoun Gregory L.
Chrise James R.
Wasil Daniel D.
Watkins P. C.
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
LandOfFree
Remotely replaceable fuel assembly alignment pin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Remotely replaceable fuel assembly alignment pin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Remotely replaceable fuel assembly alignment pin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-443073