Fuel cell lifting system for nuclear reactors

A nuclear fuel cell lifting system, comprising:

• a radiation shield comprising:
• a first plate defining a first plane and comprising one or more first openings;
• and
• a second plate defining a second plane parallel to the first plane;
• the second plate comprising one or more second openings,
• the first plate and the second plate being rotatable relative to each other around an axis perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane to align a first opening of the first plate with a second opening of the second plate,
• wherein the first opening of the first plate aligned with the second opening of the second plate forms a combined opening;
• a tether that is attachable to a nuclear fuel cell of a nuclear reactor;
• a radiation shielding cask configured to allow the fuel cell to be lifted therein;
• and
• a lifting motor configured to extend and retract the tether,
• wherein the lifting motor is operable while retracting the tether to cause the tether to lift the nuclear fuel cell
• from a reactor core of the nuclear reactor,
• through the combined opening of the radiation shield,
• and into the radiation shielding cask.