US3175720A - Fuel element handling device - Google Patents

Fuel element handling device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3175720A
US3175720A US167612A US16761262A US3175720A US 3175720 A US3175720 A US 3175720A US 167612 A US167612 A US 167612A US 16761262 A US16761262 A US 16761262A US 3175720 A US3175720 A US 3175720A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
pin
pinion
driving
carriage
jaws
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US167612A
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English (en)
Inventor
Millot Jean
Mulot Pierre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Original Assignee
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA filed Critical Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3175720A publication Critical patent/US3175720A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
    • G21C19/10—Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements
    • G21C19/105—Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements with grasping or spreading coupling elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
    • G21C19/10—Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S294/00—Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
    • Y10S294/906—Atomic fuel handler

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to handling devices which operate to grip an object and, in particular to those used for loading or unloading fuel elements into or out of a nuclear reactor.
  • the invention relates to an improvement in handling devices having gripping jaws, of the kind intended to allow the opening or closing of the jaws only at the precise moment at which the device is located within a well defined working zone, that is to say in order to avoid any hasty movement of the jaws during the operation of placing or withdrawing an element in or from the heart of the reactor.
  • handling tongs such handling devices will be referred to as handling tongs.
  • Handling tongs are already known which comprise a tubular body comprising, at its lower extremity, gripping jaws and including a push rod arranged within the body of the tongs, the axial displacement of which controls, by means of suitable cam surfaces, the opening or closing of the jaws.
  • Tongs of the aforementioned type are known which also comprise control members capable of determining the exact nature of the objects grasped by the jaws (set of elements of fissile material, control rod sheaths, control rods themselves), as well as various security devices enabling in particular, the circulation of a neutral liquid around the object grasped in the jaws to be ensured so as to cool it when withdrawn from the reactor.
  • the invention has for a specific object to make the operation of such tongs completely safe by adding a control system for operating the movement of the gripping jaws, thereby making any false movement on the part of the operator during the transfer of the elements held by the tongs impossible.
  • a handling device comprising a tubular body, the lower extremity of which carries gripping jaws and a control rod arranged within said body, the axial movements of which enable said jaws to be opened or closed and controlled by a gear reducing motor unit and a screw-bolt assembly, said unit and said assembly being connected by the gear train comprising a driving pinion and a driven pinion, wherein the drive of said driven pinion is carried out by a connecting pinion, the latter being able to move parallel to its rotation shaft by means of a mobile pin for decoupling said driving pinion from said driven pinion and preventing the movement of the jaws of the device.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a diagrammatic view in vertical 3,175,720 Patented Mar. 30, 1965 section of an embodiment of handling tongs, provided with a security system, according to the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a detailed view showing the lower extremity of the tongs mechanism, grasping the head of an element of fissile material, and
  • FIGURE 3 shows a view on a larger scale of the seourity system itself.
  • a maneuvering carriage 1 is arranged inside a supporting framework 2.
  • This carriage can be moved upwardly and downwardly by means of a gear reducing motor unit 3 having a torque limiter and electromagnetic gearing, via a transmission chain 4 for example, driven by a sprocket 5 and a pulley 6 respectively located on the base plate 7, which acts as a support for the framework 2, and on the upper part thereof.
  • Two guide bars, such as 8, are integral with one of the lateral uprights of the framework and ensure that carriage 1 is kept in a suitable position during its displacement from bottom to top or vice versa.
  • the chain 4 is connected to the carriage by rings 9 and passes through a bore 9a provided through the carriage itself when in movement.
  • a counterweight 10 connected to carriage 1 by a cable 11 passes over pulley at 12 and is secured to a ring 13 thereby assuring the balancing of the assembly.
  • a mechanism comprising a gear reducing unit (not shown) and a pinion and worm arrangement 14 allowing a casing 15 to be rotated to any angle which can, for example, be of 60 in the embodiment describedand illustrated.
  • the casing moreover, extends into a housing 16 to which a tubular element 17 constituting the body of the tongs device is rigidly connected. The rotation of casing 15 is therefore directly transmitted to the body of the tongs 17 and can be carried out without any special difficulties on ball bearings 18 and 19, diagrammatically shown in FIG- URE 1.
  • a push rod 21 located coaxially on the inside of body 17 comprises a member 22 at its lower extremity, provided with bevelled surfaces capable of forcing jaw 20 to open or to close when rod 21 is axially displaced.
  • the rod is fitted at its upper extremity with a threaded part 23 engaging with a bolt 23a.
  • the latter is integral with a rod 24' terminating by a bevel gear 25 arranged on the inside of housing 16.
  • This bevel gear is part of a gear train comprising a connecting crown wheel 26 and a control bevel gear 27.
  • the latter is operated by a gear-reducing unit having a torque limiter 28 located on the inside of casing 15, and bearings 29 which facilitate the transmission of the movement through casing 15 and housing 16.
  • the resultant rotation of bolt 23a produces a translatory displacement of the rod 21 by means of a lug 30 integral with the tongs body 17 and sliding in a groove 31 provided in one side of the rod.
  • the device also comprises a control member for determining the nature of the objects grasped by the jaws of the tongs.
  • a control member for determining the nature of the objects grasped by the jaws of the tongs.
  • the latter can, in particular in the special case considered, serve for the handling of various elements among which are included assemblies of fuel 3 elements of variable head lengths, control rods, control rod sleeves, various stoppers, etc.
  • FIGURES l and 2 the mechanism which ensures this control is shown.
  • the lower part of rod 21 is grooved in order to allow a pin 32 to slide within said rod.
  • the pin 32 terminates in a small plate 33 which rests against the head of objects to be seized and makes it possible to assess the height in the manner to be subsequently described.
  • the pin is also fitted with a probe or feeler 34 having three fingers, only one of which is shown.
  • the central part of the pin is more particularly used when the gripping jaws work by drawing together and the three finger probe or feeler operates when the jaws are extended.
  • the upper part of pin 32 is connected to a small plate 35 located in a cavity 36 in rod 21.
  • the small plate 35 has recesses or slots in which the actuating members of micro-switches 37 engage or not according to the vertical position of plate 35, that is to say as a result of pin 32 which is integral therewith.
  • a flexible bellows 38 ensures an hermetic seal between cavity 36 and the passage of pin 32 within rod 21; in the same way a bellows 39 ensures a sealed connection between rod 21 and the tubular member 17.
  • a tubular sleeve 41 which is able to freely slide around the body and which has an aperture 42, the purpose of which is subsequently defined, is retained by a flange provided on the outer part of body 17.
  • FIGURE 1 the handling tongs are shown in the raised position, the carrier 1 being consequently in the upper part of the framework 2.
  • the tubular body 17 passes through the base plate 17 into opening 43 provided in the centre thereof.
  • a stopper 44 has a joint 45 on the inside which ensures hermetic sealing upon contact of the body 17 of the tongs when the tongs move in the translatory direction.
  • This stopper is arranged on a support 46 and flange 47 on the body 17 abuts the stopper.
  • the entire device is, moreover, capable of being moved by means of a mechanism, not illustrated, so that the tongs proper can be brought up facing positions into which the various objects referred to above are to be placed or withdrawn in or from the reactor.
  • the tongs are provided with certain ancillary security members for preventing the opening or closing of the jaws in positions that do not correspond to suitable predetermined working zones.
  • a shaft 50 determines the drive of a group of gears 51 so as to assure the rotation of a second shaft 52 pivoting on the upper part of framework 2, in a bearing block 53.
  • This shaft 52 comprises a certain number of slots 54 into which engages, according to the respective position of the carriage carrying the tongs, the extremity of a pin 55 fitted with a roller 56.
  • the pin 55 is carried by a housing 16 and is permanently pushed towards shaft 52 by means of a spring 57 which rests, on the one hand, against a boss 58 integral with the pin and, on the other hand, on the housing itself.
  • the pin is extended by a lug 59 in contact with the intermediate pinion 26 which in turn is pushed towards the teeth of pinions 25 and 27 by spring 60 resting on a ball bearing 61.
  • the roller 56 When the roller 56 is located at the back of a slot 54, the pinion 26 normally engages pinions 25 and 27 thereby allowing the push rod 21 to be displaced under the control of motor 28.
  • roller 56 withdraws from the slot of shaft 52 and pin 55, by means of lug 59 pushes back pinion 26 so as to prevent the movement of push rod 21 and consequently the jaws of the tongs.
  • the device according to the invention also comprises a manual emergency control which makes it possible to cancel the preceding requirement. If it be arranged that, as a result of unforseen circumstances, it is necessary very rapidly to withdraw any member such, for example, as an assembly of fuel elements in which the sheath has broken or any other dangerous incident has taken place; for this purpose shaft 52 is provided with a bevel gear 62 capable of engaging with a gear 63 which can be operated by hand crank 63' but normally situated slightly above gear 62.
  • a lever 64, articulated on shaft 65 integral with a rest 66, can be operated by a jack 67 for example, so as to raise the shaft 52 and to put the gear 62 in mesh with gear 63. From this moment shaft 52 is made to turn at a suitable angle, a flattened part 68 is arranged opposite rollers 56 along its entire length, thus enabling gear 26 to engage, what ever may be the position of carriage 1 and of the tongs.
  • a handling device comprising a supporting framework, a carriage movable in said framework, a tubular body mounted on said carriage, gripping jaws mounted on the lower extremity of said body, a control rod mounted for axial movement in said body for opening and closing said jaws, a gear reducing motor unit, a screw bolt assembly connected to said rod, means for connecting said assembly to said unit comprising a driving pinion, a driven pinion and a connecting pinion, resilient means urging said connecting pinion into engagement with said driving and driven pinions, a movable pin engaging and moving said connecting pinion out of engagement with said driving and driven pinions, resilient means opposing movement of said pin toward said connecting pinion, a cam shaft rotatably mounted in said framework parallel to said tubular body engaging said pin, rotation of said cam shaft moving said pin to disconnect said connecting pinion and said driving and driven pinions, and a plurality of spaced slots in said cam shaft for receiving said pin whereby said connecting pinion engages said driving and driven pinions only when said pin is in one
  • a device as described in claim 1 including a flattened surface extending along said shaft and rotated with said shaft into engagement with said pin for disengaging said connecting pinion and said driving and driven pinions.
  • a device as described in claim 3 including manual means normally disengaged from said shaft for rotating said shaft and manual means for moving said shaft axially for engagement with said manual rotating means whereby said shaft may be rotated manually to engage said flattened surface and said pin.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
US167612A 1961-02-03 1962-01-22 Fuel element handling device Expired - Lifetime US3175720A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR851614A FR1291575A (fr) 1961-02-03 1961-02-03 Dispositif de manutention par pince télécommandée

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3175720A true US3175720A (en) 1965-03-30

Family

ID=8748071

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US167612A Expired - Lifetime US3175720A (en) 1961-02-03 1962-01-22 Fuel element handling device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3175720A (de)
BE (1) BE613094A (de)
CH (1) CH382866A (de)
DE (1) DE1220572B (de)
FR (1) FR1291575A (de)
GB (1) GB988283A (de)
LU (1) LU41145A1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3359811A (en) * 1962-11-12 1967-12-26 Alsacienne Atom Drive mechanism for nuclear reactor control rods
US3408101A (en) * 1965-07-12 1968-10-29 Creusot Forges Ateliers Control rod drive mechanism
US3950021A (en) * 1974-07-29 1976-04-13 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Pulling and running tool
FR2628086A1 (fr) * 1988-03-03 1989-09-08 Reel Sa Grappin de manutention
CN112567475A (zh) * 2018-07-24 2021-03-26 赛夫公司 燃料组件搬运设备和包括这种设备的搬运组件

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2536990C2 (de) * 1975-08-20 1986-03-13 INTERATOM GmbH, 5060 Bergisch Gladbach Vorrichtung zum Handhaben stabförmiger Gegenstände

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US937144A (en) * 1908-10-03 1909-10-19 Wellman Seaver Morgan Co Charging apparatus.
FR457153A (fr) * 1913-04-25 1913-09-13 Delaunay Belleville Sa Dispositif de commande des dynamos d'éclairage pour véhicules automobiles
US2302691A (en) * 1940-08-16 1942-11-24 Edgar B Green Combination screw driver and retrieving tool
US2931680A (en) * 1955-08-06 1960-04-05 Vogel Paul Apparatus for handling radioactive materials
US3026744A (en) * 1960-07-14 1962-03-27 Cutler Hammer Inc Motor operated and overriding manual drive for rotatable shaft operated devices
US3051328A (en) * 1957-03-13 1962-08-28 Planet Corp Automatic handling mechanism
US3095102A (en) * 1960-03-28 1963-06-25 Nadler Harry Fuel element handling mechanism

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1824456U (de) * 1960-06-01 1961-01-05 Leon Noirot Wagen greifer fuer eine selbsttaetige foerderanlage.

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US937144A (en) * 1908-10-03 1909-10-19 Wellman Seaver Morgan Co Charging apparatus.
FR457153A (fr) * 1913-04-25 1913-09-13 Delaunay Belleville Sa Dispositif de commande des dynamos d'éclairage pour véhicules automobiles
US2302691A (en) * 1940-08-16 1942-11-24 Edgar B Green Combination screw driver and retrieving tool
US2931680A (en) * 1955-08-06 1960-04-05 Vogel Paul Apparatus for handling radioactive materials
US3051328A (en) * 1957-03-13 1962-08-28 Planet Corp Automatic handling mechanism
US3095102A (en) * 1960-03-28 1963-06-25 Nadler Harry Fuel element handling mechanism
US3026744A (en) * 1960-07-14 1962-03-27 Cutler Hammer Inc Motor operated and overriding manual drive for rotatable shaft operated devices

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3359811A (en) * 1962-11-12 1967-12-26 Alsacienne Atom Drive mechanism for nuclear reactor control rods
US3408101A (en) * 1965-07-12 1968-10-29 Creusot Forges Ateliers Control rod drive mechanism
US3950021A (en) * 1974-07-29 1976-04-13 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Pulling and running tool
FR2628086A1 (fr) * 1988-03-03 1989-09-08 Reel Sa Grappin de manutention
CN112567475A (zh) * 2018-07-24 2021-03-26 赛夫公司 燃料组件搬运设备和包括这种设备的搬运组件
US20210296016A1 (en) * 2018-07-24 2021-09-23 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Fuel assembly handling device and handling assembly comprising such a device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE613094A (fr) 1962-05-16
GB988283A (en) 1965-04-07
CH382866A (fr) 1964-10-15
DE1220572B (de) 1966-07-07
FR1291575A (fr) 1962-04-27
LU41145A1 (de) 1962-03-24

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