Carousel for nuclear fuel handling machine - accommodates distorted elements by holding part of each element in short close-fitting tube

摘要

Drum or carousel for temporarily storing nuclear fuel elements during fuel changing operations is designed to accept fuel elements which have become curved during their time in the reactor core. The wall of each cell for each individual fuel element comprises means for accommodating the curved portion of the element. Specifically the top end of each fuel element is housed in a short length of tube fixed to the top end of the drum, the remaining portion of the element being free to adopt a position excentric to this tube. Used for handling used fuel elements during reactor fuel changing. The arrangement enables elements to be compactly stored.