US 5,329,563 A · Control rod latch tool

Abstract

A latch tool features two elongate arms which extend down along either side of a control rod. Rotatable actuating rods are mounted on the arms. The upper ends of the actuating rods are provided with cranks which engage in slots formed in an actuating disc. As the disc is rotated, the cranks rotate the actuating rods and swing cam-like members, which are fixed to the rods, into position under an unlatching handle. In the preferred embodiments, the actuating disc is threaded onto the exterior of a rotatable input member, so that after the cam-like members are swung into position, the actuating disc threads its way up the input member in a manner which pulls the cam-like members upwardly and pulls the unlatching handle. In addition to the cam-like members which actuate the unlatching handle, lifting cam-like members may additionally be provided to fit in under a lifting handle of the control rod, and facilitate lifting of the control rod out of its position.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A tool for unlatching control rods from a control rod drive, comprising:

a rotatable adapter member;
an actuator disc operatively connected with the rotatable member so that rotation of said rotatable adapter member induces rotation of said actuator disc, said actuator disc having an elongate slot formed therein;
and
an actuator shaft having a crank at a first end and a cam-like member at a second end, said crank being received in said elongate slot so that rotation of said actuator disc induces said actuator shaft to rotate and cause said cam-like member to rotate through a predetermined angle.

1 more element

A tool for use in a nuclear reactor and which can be lowered onto an essentially cruciform cross-section control rod having a lift handle at the top and an unlatching handle arranged near the bottom, said control rod being releasably connected with a control rod drive by a connection mechanism which is operatively connected with said unlatching handle, said tool comprising:

first and second arms which extend down along opposite sides of said control rod from a cross-member which is seatable on the top of said control rod;
first and second actuator rods which are supported on said first and second arms;
first and second cam-like members which are fixed to said first and second actuator rods, respectively;
a rotatable drive input member, rotatably mounted on said cross member;
and
crank means operatively interconnecting said input member with said first and second actuating rods, for selectively inducing said first and second actuator rods to rotate and to induce said first and second cam-like members to engage and lift said unlatching handle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control rod latch tool

Life of this patent

Control rod latch tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7