Remote actuation of a gripper shaft affects vertical engagement between a drive shaft and control rod. A secondary function of the gripper is to provide remote indication of positive completion of the gripping or ungripping operation

Hutter, E.

Koch, L. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1968
	 Brief 68-10359 
•	 AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
TES
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
.	 •	 -	 ...	 ..( .-....	
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Remotely Operated Gripper Provides Vertical Control Rod Movement 
Drive Shaft 
Gripper Shaft 
ensing Shaft 
,Guide Slot 
- Square Nut 
-Sensing Device 
- Bearing Buttons 
,_..._.Hinge Pin 
Sleeve 
Parallel Bars 
Gripper Jaws

'Closed	 Opened 
Receiving Chamber 
Control Rod Adapter 
The problem: 
To remotely connect or disconnect a vertical-mo-
tion control drive mechanism with its atomic reactor 
control rod and to provide remote indication of either 
operation. 
The solution: 
A gripper mechanism whose primary function is to 
effect engagement between a drive shaft and the con-
i'l rod h\ reniote jctilllon ol' the gripper shaft.
A secondary function of the gripper is to provide 
remote indication of positive completion of the grip-
ping or ungripping operation. 
How it's done: 
Referring to the figure above, the mechanism is 
contained in a tubular body which is attached, at the 
upper end, to the control rod drive shaft. The lower 
end is formed into a guide funnel and receiving 
chamber for the cone-shaped upper adapter of the 
(continued overle.il( 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic 	 liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per- 	 method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000359 2020-03-12T05:54:02+00:00Z
control rod. A transverse shaft, supported by the 
body, serves as a common hinge pin for a pair of 
single toothed jaws and also as a guide for the sensing 
device. The jaws are opened or closed by the verti-
cal motion of a sleeve equipped with parallel bars 
that slide over the outer sides of the jaws. The sleeve 
is operated by the gripper shaft. 
The presence or absence of the control rod adapter 
in the gripper guide chamber is detected by a sensing 
device which is centrally located in the chamber. This 
device is essentially a flat bar with a longitudinal slot; 
it is held in position and limited to vertical motion 
by the hinge pin of the gripper jaws. Upward or 
downward motion of the sensing device transmits 
positive indication to a control console as to 
whether a control rod adapter has entered or left 
the gripper guide chamber. 
Notes: 
I. This device may find application as a pickup or 
release device for helicopters, loading, and material 
handling systems where remote control of the hook 
is required. 
2. Additional details may be found in the following 
reports. "FARET Control Rod Drive Mecha-
nisms," ANL-7 158, by E. Hutter, T. E. Sullivan, 
and G. D. Giorgis; "Design and Performance 
Characteristics of EBR-11 Control Rod Drive
Mechanisms," AN L-6921, by E. Hutter and G. D. 
Giorgis; and "Hazard Summary Report-
EBR-ll" ANL-5719, by L. J. Koch. These reports 
are available from the Clearinghouse for Fed-
eral Scientific and Technical Information, 
Springfield, Virginia 22151; price $3.00 (microfiche 
$0.65). Information is also contained in Patent 
No. 2,924,483, which is available from the U.S. 
Patent Office for $0.50 per copy. 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B68-10359 
Source: E. H utter and L. J. Koch 
of the Reactor Engineering Division 
(ARG-10160) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial 
use of this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
• 9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
. 
C 
. 
Brief 68-10359	 Category 05


Remotely operated gripper provides vertical control rod movement

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