GRAVITY-OPERATED GRAPPLE TO SEIZE SHELLS WITH RADIO-ACTIVE CONTENT

摘要

A gravity actuated gripper includes two concentrically interleaved shells which are displaceable with respect to one another in two positions for gripping molds containing radioactive material, with the fill opening or upper edge of the molds being provided with a circumferential carrying ring behind which engage balls to perform the gripping. The gripper is intended to be particularly robust and assure high operational reliability under all conditions. For this purpose, a special control is provided for the two positions, the control including a switching ring which corresponds with rings of crown teeth attached to both shells. Due to the special configuration of the teeth and an up-and-down movement of the switching ring, the two shells can take on a gripping position and a release position.