Method and apparatus for installing fuel rods in a nuclear fuel assembly skeleton

Apparatus for installing fuel rods in a nuclear fuel assembly skeleton, defining fuel rod locations distributed in a predetermined array, said apparatus comprising:

• fixed skeleton receiving means for receiving a skeleton devoid of end nozzles;
• a magazine for storing fuel rods in alignment with said locations in the skeleton placed on a longitudinal side of said receiving means;
• a longitudinal displacement mechanism located on the other longitudinal side of said receiving means, said displacement mechanism having a plurality of mutually parallel pull bars and means for displacing said pull bars longitudinally towards the magazine and away from the magazine, the pull bars being terminated by clamps for grasping a plurality of fuel rods to be inserted into said skeleton;
• a cap-placing assembly interposed between the skeleton receiving means and the longitudinal displacement mechanism, said cap-placing assembly having a fixed support and a removable receptacle formed with housing distributed in an array that reproduces said array of fuel rod locations;
• and,
• a plurality of caps adapted to be received each in one of said housings, the shape of the caps being such that they are adapted to fit over the clamps of the pull bars when the clamps are closed nd the pull bars are moved forwardly toward the magazine.