Patent ID: 6320922
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of extracting elongated fuel rods having end plugs terminating in end caps from a nuclear fuel assembly employing an extractor tool having an inner rod, an outer tube coaxially about and axially movable relative to said inner rod and a collet at an end of said tool having end cap engaging sections positively pivotable by a camming action about a pin carried by the inner rod between an open position spaced from the end cap and a closed position engaging about said end cap, comprising the steps of:(a) inserting said extractor tool into the fuel assembly with said collet sections in a closed position;(b) relatively displacing said inner rod and said tube in a first axial direction to positively cam and thereby pivot said collet sections about the pin into an open position;(c) advancing the extractor tool into the fuel assembly to enable the open collet sections to straddle said end cap;(d) relatively displacing said inner rod and said tube in a second opposite axial direction to positively cam and thereby pivot said collet sections about the pin into said closed position engaging about said end cap; and(e) jointly displacing said inner rod and said tube in an axial direction to withdraw the engaged fuel rod from said fuel assembly.