Patent Number: 049816403
Section: abstract

A vertical cell is provided for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly having a bundle of fuel rods retained at the nodes of a regular lattice and a skeleton formed of two end pieces connected together by tie rods and grids spaced apart along the tie rods. The structure of the cell has a cross-section corresponding to that of the assembly to be received and carries mechanisms for retaining the grids and the lower end piece, and a comb mechanism for holding the rods at their nominal spacing. The comb mechanism comprises at least two sets of combs carried by a frame fixed to the structure. The combs of each set are guided on the frame, and jacks move them towards and away from each other in a direction transversal to the movement of the combs of the other set. One of the grid retention mechanisms comprises jaws pivotably mounted on the structure and connected to simultaneous control jacks which move the jaws between a position in which they release the grid situated immediately below the comb mechanism and another position in which the jaws grip the grid on all sides thereof.