Smooth collet for pulling fuel rods
US6895067B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for smoothly inserting a fuel rod loader through the skeleton of a fuel cell and then for pulling an attached fuel rod into the fuel rod skeleton while keeping the fuel rod under constant tension and preventing the bowing of the fuel rod. The pulling mechanism comprises a smooth collet with a smooth bullet end cap for guiding the puller mechanism into and through the skeleton where the bullet end cap is removed and the fuel rod is attached with a unique ball and slide mechanism actuated by a long puller rod that grabs the end of the fuel rod by a forward motion of the puller rod and is easily removed from the fuel rod by reversing this motion once the fuel rod is in place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.