Patent Number: 054208998
Section: abstract

A grapple is provided for use with a fuel bundle channel of a nuclear reactor wherein the channel is provided with a pair of gussets in opposite corners of an upper end of the channel, each gusset having a hole therein. The grapple includes a pair of lever arms, each provided with a lifting foot at a lower end of the respective lever arm. The lever arms are movable in opposite directions to a channel lifting position wherein the channel gripper of each lever arm is located under a respective one of the pair of channel gussets. The channel lifting foot of each lever arm includes a pair of laterally spaced lifting elements such that the lifting feet may engage the underside of the gusset on either side of the gusset hole. In addition, each channel lifting foot includes a secondary foot or slider captured between the pair of lifting elements. The slider includes a hole which can be aligned with the bolt hole in the gusset, permitting a ball lock pin to be inserted into the holes to thereby securely attach the lifting feet to the channel gussets.