Fuel rod loading apparatus
US5386444A · kind A · utility
0Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for loading nuclear fuel rods through spacer grid cells of a fuel bundle includes a handle having at least one elongate clip joined thereto, and a flexible tubular sleeve joined to the clip. The clip rigidly supports the sleeve along its longitudinal axis while allowing the sleeve to unfurl perpendicularly thereto for disassembly from a fuel rod. In several embodiments of the invention, the clip may include a slot for bridging adjacent grid cells during assembly, or the clip may be removably fixedly joined to the handle for allowing easy replacement of the sleeves.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.