TOOL FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING LOCKING TUBES OF RECONSTITUTABLE NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLIES

摘要

The invention relates to a tool for removing and replacing locking tubes disposed in locking positions within guidethimble extensions affixed to end nozzle of a reconstitutable nuclear fuel assembly. …The tool comprises a tubular force transmitting member (56) from which extends an elongate locking-tube engaging member (76) including a circumferentially expandable and collapsible portion (84-88) and insertable through each locking tube (48) to be removed. A shaft assembly (78) extending through the force transmitting member and to the expandable and collapsible portion of the locking-tube engaging member has at one end thereof a conical expanding means (104) cooperable with said expandable and collapsible portion, and is coupled at its opposite end to an actuating means (120) operable to move the shaft assembly axially in an expansion-effecting direction or a collapse-effecting direction causing movement of said expandable and collapsible portion into or from, respectively, force transmitting reationship with the locking tube. The tool further includes a force receiving structure (58) connected to the force transmitting member (56), and preferably includes a tubular impacting slide (128) axially reciprocable on the force transmitting member so as to deliver locking-tube dislodging blows the force receiving structure (58).