Control rod remote disconnect mechanism

A disconnect mechanism for use with a control rod drive mechanism having a torque tube, comprising:

• a connecting rod that is non-rotatably disposed within the torque tube;
• a lock cam assembly rotatably secured to a bottom end of the connecting rod, the lock cam assembly including a body portion and at least one locking cam extending radially-outwardly therefrom;
• and
• a locking collar disposed non-rotatably within the torque tube, the locking collar including an inner surface defining a central bore and at least one locking recess therein, the locking recess including an entry slot extending downwardly from a top edge of the locking collar;
• wherein the connecting rod is axially-movable with respect to the control rod drive mechanism between a first position in which the lock cam assembly is rotatable with respect to the connecting rod, and a second position in which the lock cam assembly is non-rotatable with respect to the connecting rod.