Abstract: A device for gripping bundles of control bars or rods for extracting the control bars from and introducing the control bars into fuel cells of nuclear reactors in which the control bars are in bundles connected by a spider-like head at the top and the gripping device includes a plate with a perforation through which the head can pass. When the head is released from the fuel cell and lifted upwardly through the plate, the plate provides lateral guidance for the control rods thereby facilitating replacement of the control rods into a fuel cell. The gripping device includes a reciprocable gripper body in a gripper tool detachably connectable thereto and to said head and guided on said plate by guide members projecting from the plate.

Abstract: A gripping and lifting device, especially for use with fuel elements and control rod means in a nuclear core reactor in which a carriage having a winch thereon supports a mast beneath the carriage in which is slidable a tubular body within which, in turn, is slidable a housing. Cables lead from the winch to the first body for vertical movement thereof while the housing has limited axial movement in the aforementioned body. On the lower end of the housing are two gripper devices, one for engagement with the control rods and the other for engagement with the fuel element. Separate actuators are provided for the two grippers and sensing devices are included in the structure for sensing the positions of the grippers. A feature of the arrangement is that when the body is elevated and the housing moves downwardly therein to a stopped position, the gripper for the fuel element is locked in its respective position.