TRANSFER LINE FOR BUILDING FUEL ASSEMBLIES FROM FUEL ELEMENTS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: assembly of pressurized-water power reactors. SUBSTANCE: transfer line includes first machine for assembling fuel elements into fuel assemblies whose bed mounts main fuel-element storage in the form of inclined racks with main separators for piece-by-piece feed of fuel elements; axial displacement mechanism in the form of rolling train with hold-down rollers; press-fitting mechanism in the form of spring-loaded pushrod and chain transmission ensuring adjustable press-fitting force; mechanism for horizontal and vertical displacement of magazine for frame holding spacer grids; mechanism for fitting removable conical tips onto fuel elements; and die with oil feeding tank. Line has second machine for building up fuel assemblies out of fuel elements for nuclear reactor VVER-1000 which incorporates removable all-metal simulator of VVER-1000 fuel assemblies and third machine that has removable follower frame for producing fuel assemblies of VVER- 440 reactor. Line is provided with roll-over rig for mounting head and shank onto fuel assembly which is capable of turning about axis as well as from vertical to horizontal position and vice versa; varnish removing unit; drying unit for fuel assemblies cleaned of varnish coatings; model 493 rig for mounting metal shield onto fuel assemblies of reactor VVER-1000; unit for packing fuel assemblies into shipping container. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities of line, improved quality and capacity of assembly process. 7 cl, 13 dwg