Patent Number: 047479965
Section: abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting the level of nuclear fuel rods in a fuel assembly is disclosed, and which comprises a tool composed of an expander having a pair of parallel, laterally spaced apart and flexible arms which have first ends which are interconnected to each other, and opposite free ends. The tool further includes an actuator disposed between the free ends of the arms, and the free ends of the arms and the actuator mount cooperating wedge surface means, whereby relative longitudinal movement between the expander and actuator causes the arms to separate a predetermined maximum distance. In use, the tool is inserted into the fuel assembly with the free ends of the arms located between the end of a misaligned fuel rod and the nozzle, and the actuator is then longitudinally advanced to separate the arms to the predetermined maximum distance, which serves to move the misaligned rod to its proper level. During the separation of the arms, the arms may be manually pressed toward each other so that the free ends are maintained in a parallel relationship and so as to avoid lateral forces being imparted to the misaligned fuel rod.