Patent ID: 8139706

Claim:
A method of loading nuclear fuel assemblies into a fuel rack having an elongated slot, the fuel rack submerged in a pool, the method comprising: a) submerging a nuclear fuel assembly having an axis in the pool; b) positioning the fuel assembly laterally adjacent to the elongated slot of the fuel rack, the fuel assembly positioned in a substantially vertical orientation; c) translating the fuel assembly in a lateral direction through the elongated slot and into a cell of the fuel rack, the fuel assembly being in a first rotational position about the axis during the translating; d) rotating the fuel assembly about the axis to a second rotational position within the cell; e) supporting the fuel assembly within the cell in the second rotational position; and wherein when the fuel assembly is in the first rotational position about the axis, the fuel assembly can pass through the elongated slot in a substantially unobstructed manner; and wherein when the fuel assembly is in the second rotational position about the axis, the fuel assembly cannot be translated through the slot without further rotation.