Patent Number: 048246328
Section: claims

1. A straightening device for bent fuel assembly alignment pins in a nuclear reactor, said device comprising: (a) an elongated mast having an upper and lower portion;  (b) a cross member secured to the lower portion, generally perpendicularly disposed to the elongated mast;  (c) a means for supporting the mast secured to the upper portion; and  (d) a means secured to one end of the cross member for engaging and straightening said alignment pins, said straightening means being comprised of:  an elongated mast including a plurality of segments, said mast having an upper and lower portion;  a support bail secured to the upper portion;  a cross member comprising at least one segment secured to the lower portion and generally perpendicularly disposed to the elongated mast;  a pin straightening assembly secured to one end of said cross member, said assembly further comprising:  (a) a housing having a top and bottom surface, said housing further having two vertical generally parallel holes disposed therein, a first hole adapted to receive an insert, and a second hole which has an internal diameter substantially greater than that of a fuel assembly alignment pin;  (b) a die insert made of hardened material, having a bore disposed therein, said insert adapted to be secured within the first hole;  (c) a wedge-shaped shim adapted to be received on the top surface of the housing, said shim also having two holes therethrough such that the two holes are concentric with the two vertical holes of the housing;  (d) a baseplate adapted to secure the pin straightening assembly to the cross member;  (e) a plurality of axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs connected between the housing and the baseplate, whereby the housing is provided with both angular and translational compliance; and  (f) a hydraulic ram connected to the baseplate opposite the housing, said ram adapted to lift the shim on the top surface of the housing into full planar contact with the bottom surface of the upper core plate whereby a bent pin is received in the bore of the hardened die insert and straightened and a generally straight pin is received within the second hole. 2. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the compensating means is comprised of a wedge-shaped adjustable shim disposed on an upper surface of the housing, said shim having two holes therethrough which are concentric with the two holes disposed in the housing. 3. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the interconnecting means is comprised of at least one axially compressible and laterally deformable element connected between the housing and the baseplate. 4. The straightening device of claim 3, wherein the element is a compression coil spring. 5. The straightening device of claim 1 wherein the interconnecting means is comprised of four axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs connected, between the housing and the baseplate. 6. The straightening device of claim 3, wherein one of said two holes in said shim concentric with the die insert bore has a frusto-conical opening. 7. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the elongated mast is comprised of a plurality of segments. 8. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the support means is adapted to be suspended from an associated support mechanism. 9. The straightening device of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight secured to the cross member at an end opposite the pin straightening means. 10. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving said straightening means is a hydraulic ram. 11. The straightening device of claim 2, wherein the wedge-shaped adjustable shim has an included angle which will compensate for spring back in the pin after it is brought back into alignment. 12. The straightening device of claim 11, wherein the wedge-shaped adjustable shim has an included angle which is about 15% to 25% greater than an angle at which the bent alignment pin is oriented. 13. The straightening device of claim 12, wherein the wedge-shaped adjustable shim has an included angle which is 20% greater than the bent an angle at which an alignment pin is oriented. 14. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the cross member is comprised of a plurality of segments. 15. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the compensating means comprises a die insert having a bore disposed therein for receiving a bent fuel assembly alignment pin, said bore being disposed at an angle which will compensate for spring back in the pin after it is brought back into alignment. 16. The straightening device of claim 1, wherein the effective length of the cross member is remotely adjustable. 17. A device for straightening bent fuel assembly alignment pins which project from a bottom surface of a nuclear reactor upper core plate, said device comprising: 18. The straightening device as recited in claim 17, wherein the wedge-shaped shim has an included angle which is about 15% to 25% greater than and opposite to an angle at which the bent pin is oriented. 19. The straightening device as recited in claim 17, wherein there are four axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs. 20. The straightening device as recited in claim 17, wherein the bore has a frusto-conical opening. 21. The straightening device as recited in claim 20, wherein one of the two holes in the shim concentric with the first hole of the housing has a frusto-conical shape corresponding to that of the bore in the die insert. 22. The straightening device of claim 17, wherein the wedge-shaped adjustable shim has an included angle which is 20% greater than and opposite to an angle at which an alignment pin is bent.