Appts. for removing control rods in groups before reactor refuelling - using lifting plate with quick locking devices lowered above reactor core

摘要

Appts. for simultaneously lifting out a large number of control rods from a nuclear reactor before recharging with fuel, comprises a horizontal plate, which can be lowered into a position above the core, and from which individual locking devices for each control rd extend downwards. Each locking device consists of a fixed support extending down from the plate, and elongated locking bolts, pivoted on the support member so that they can swing from a horizontal position in which they engage the head of a control rod to a deflected or retracted position in which they disengage the control rod. An actuating bar for the locking bolts is moved relative to the support to lock and unlock a control rod head. By rapidly connecting a large number of control rods to a single plate, they can be removed from the reactor in one group. In this way the operation of control rod removal is considerably shortened, shortening the overall shutdown period.