Patent ID: 8681921

Claim:
A system for positioning a plurality of segmented rods, each segmented rod configured to be used in a nuclear fuel bundle, each segmented rod formed by a plurality of removable segments secured to each other, the system comprising: a channel assembly configured to receive the plurality of segmented rods, wherein the channel assembly is configured to enclose the plurality of segmented rods and includes, a channel having windows along a perimeter of the channel, wherein the windows allow for access to an internal area of the channel assembly, and wherein the channel includes alignment tabs, spacers located within the channel, wherein each spacer includes at least one key around a periphery, wherein the alignment tabs are configured to restrict linear movement of each spacer, and wherein each of the alignment tabs mates with one of the keys and is located at an elevation allowing for the one spacer to maintain a designated position; a lifting mechanism inside of and moveable within the channel, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to simultaneously move only the plurality of segmented rods to a position outside the channel to allow for assembly or disassembly of each of the plurality of segmented rods by joining or removing the removable segments in or from each segmented rod, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to move the plurality of segmented rods in unison, and wherein the lifting mechanism includes, a positioning plate entirely within the channel, wherein the spacers are located above the positioning plate, and wherein the positioning plate is configured to move the plurality of segmented rods and is slidably movable within the channel by the lifting mechanism, and a lifting rod, wherein a portion of the lifting rod mates with the positioning plate, and wherein the positioning plate is configured to move in a linear direction as the lifting rod is rotated; and a holder assembly located at a top end of the channel assembly, wherein the holder assembly includes, a holder for each segmented rod, wherein the holder is configured to secure the plurality of segmented rods in a position allowing for assembly or disassembly of each of the plurality of segmented rods, a mechanism configured to open and close each holder, wherein the mechanism is configured to open and close all holders in unison, and an opening that allows for integrating the lifting mechanism with the holder assembly.