Patent Number: 047918012
Section: abstract

Reversible fuel assembly grid tab repair tool having a tab bending member for remotely reforming fuel assembly grid tabs, wherein the tool has means for fine alignment of the tab bending member with the grid tab to be reformed. The grid tabs may be formed on the top and bottom edges of a grid strap which wraps a plurality of fuel rods disposed in the fuel assembly. The repair tool comprises a generally L-shaped frame having a vertical first leg and a horizontal second leg. Extending from the terminal end of the second leg is an alignment blade capable of being interposed between two fuel rods adjacent each side of the grid tab to be reformed. Attached to the top surface of the second leg at the terminus thereof is an anvil block having an anvil surface for bending the grid tab thereagainst when the grid tab is interposed between the anvil surface and the tab bending member. Extending from the anvil surface are a plurality of register pins capable of abutting the top and bottom edges of the grid strap for fine alignment of the tab bending member with the grid tab. A lever member pivotally connected to the repair tool is capable of translating the grid tab bending member towards the anvil surface for bending the grid tab against the anvil surface when the grid tab is interposed between the tab bending member and the anvil surface.