Patent Number: 046831096
Section: abstract

A system for removing debris from a nuclear fuel assembly includes a work platform disposable on the fuel assembly racks in a spent fuel pol. A support stand is mounted on the work platform and has a sliding support plate movable between a support position engageable with the lower end of the fuel assembly, and a retracted position permitting lowering of the fuel assembly through an opening in the work platform into one of the racks. A tool manipulation assembly is disposable on the platform and includes a rotatable turret-type tool mount carrying four different cleaning tools, including a pick, a brush, a water lance and a water-actuated tweezers. The tool manipulating assembly includes drive means for effecting X-Y-Z movement of the tool mount for working on the fuel assembly. Each tool is resiliently mounted in a tool holder which yields if the tool engages the fuel assembly in a given direction with a predetermined force, generating an alarm signal to prevent damage to the tool assembly. The turret mount is indexible among four positions and is yieldably held in each to prevent harmful side loading of the fuel assembly. Counterweighting permits vertical movement of the tool mount with minimal forces.