Nuclear fuel pellet sintering boat unloading apparatus and method
US4927313A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 22, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A nuclear fuel pellet unloading apparatus includes a transfer housing pivotally movable between an upright position remote from a pellet deposit site and an inverted position adjacent to the deposit site, and convertable between opened and closed conditions. In its upright position and closed condition, the housing receives a sintering boat loaded with nuclear fuel pellets and holds the boat while retaining the pellets within the boat as the boat is moved from upright to inverted orientations upon pivoting of the housing from its upright to inverted position. An actuator is operated for causing pivoting of the housing from its upright to inverted position and back to its upright position. A latch member latches the housing in its closed condition when the housing is disposed in its upright position and as the housing is pivoted from its upright position toward its inverted position. A release member actuates the latch member as the housing reaches its inverted position to unlatch the housing and render it capable thereafter of converting from closed to opened condition upon reverse pivoting of the housing from the inverted position back toward the upright position by operating the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.