NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY RECEIVING AND DISMANTLING CELL

摘要

The cell (12) is designed to receive an assembly comprising a bundle of fuel pencils held at the nodes of a uniform lattice by a framework consisting of two end pieces (3) connected by tie rods and of grids (8) distributed along the tie rods. The cell has a vertical structure of cross-section corresponding to that of the assembly to be received, carrying mechanisms for holding the grids (22, 44) and the lower end piece (20) and a mechanism for maintaining the pencils at their nominal distance apart with moveable combs (18). The comb mechanism comprises at least two sets of combs carried by a frame integrally fixed to the said structure, the combs of each set being guided along the frame and provided with jacks allowing them to be moved closer and to be moved apart in a direction transverse to the direction of approach and withdrawal of the combs of the other set and one of the mechanisms for holding the grids comprises jaws articulated to the structure and connected to jacks for simultaneous control allowing the jaws to be moved between a position where they release the grid (8b) situated immediately below the comb mechanism and a position which is predetermined in relation to the structure where the jaws grip the said grid (8b) on all sides. ……