UNIT FOR SPLITTING SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLIES Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear reactors; handling spent fuel assemblies. SUBSTANCE: unit has housing 1 made of steel plates that accommodates gate valve 2 with plug 3 and seat 4; top slab 5 with hopper 6 and auxiliary plugs 7; and set of main and auxiliary pieces of equipment. Mentioned set incorporates refueling container 8 with gate valve designed for charging spent fuel assemblies from storage to splitting zone of unit, ampoule 9 for spent fuel assemblies disposed in die block 10, chuck 11 that holds spent fuel assemblies in position by means of cams. Mentioned set of pieces of equipment also includes cutting tool 13 with milling cutter 14, guiding device 15, ampoule lifting mechanism 16, welding unit 17, and extension grip 18. Intermediate head 19 is mounted on active part of spent fuel assembly filled with fuel. EFFECT: reduced size of unit that may be mounted on board ships servicing nuclear power equipment. 2 dwg