Patent Number: 059303182
Section: claims

1. A method of fuel handling in a nuclear reactor having a reactor vessel comprising a reactor core with a plurality of fuel assemblies and control rods and wherein a fuel pool is arranged adjacent to said reactor vessel, said method comprising the steps of: lifting simultaneously a group comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies into or out of said reactor vessel with a single gripper; and  transporting said group between said reactor vessel and said fuel pool by means of said gripper.  handling equipment movable between said fuel pool and said reactor vessel;  a single gripper extending from said handling equipment;  a plurality of gripping devices attached to said gripper, each said gripping device provided with means for lifting a fuel assembly, so that said gripping devices of said single gripper simultaneously lift a plurality of fuel assemblies into or out of said reactor vessel or fuel pool. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said group comprises at least one core module. 3. An apparatus for fuel handling in a nuclear reactor having a reactor vessel comprising a reactor core with a plurality of fuel assemblies and control rods and wherein a fuel pool is arranged adjacent to said reactor vessel, said apparatus comprising: 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gripper is adapted to lift at least one core module. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising partitions of neutron absorbing material arranged in said gripper such that said fuel assemblies lifted therein are separated by said partitions. 6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gripper further comprises a sleeve having a length corresponding to a length of said fuel assemblies and arranged around said gripper to enclose said fuel assemblies lifted therein.