Patent · US Expired

Device for the underwater machining of a spacer-grid of a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor

US5377238A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 1993
Grant dateDec 27, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49726
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The device comprises a platform (13) fixed in a horizontal position on a support structure (3) for the fuel assembly (4) placed under water in a pool (1). The platform (13) includes a table (14) for shifting a carriage (35) in two crossed directions in a horizontal plane and an arrangement (27) for clamping the fuel assembly so as to immobilize it in the machining position. The fuel assembly (4) is placed in the machining position by a hoisting device (6). A table (15) mounted on the table (14) for movement in one of said crossed directions in the horizontal plane is returned elastically (40) in the direction toward the assembly (4). A frame (16) is fixed on the table (15) and permits shifting a tool-carrying carriage (49) in a direction defined by the frame (16). A motorized grinding unit (17) is fixed on the tool-carrying carriage. The device may be used in particular for cutting or levelling the surface of a spacer-grid (8) of a used fuel assembly (4).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.