Removable top nozzle and tool for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly

A tool is described used in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly for connecting and disconnecting an internally threaded collar threadably engagable with an externally threaded upper end of a control rod guide thimble. The tool consists of: (a) rotation means engagable with the collar and operable to apply a torque in one direction to threadably connect the internally threaded collar on the thimble's externally threaded upper end and in an opposite direction to disconnect the collar from its threaded connection with the thimble; and (b) gripper means adapted to be inserted into the upper end of the guide thimble and operable to prevent the thimble from rotating about its longitudinal axis as the rotation means applies torque to the collar in connecting and disconnecting the collar on and off the guide thimble; (c) the gripper means being disposed within the rotation means and having a portion thereof projecting outwardly beyond the rotation means for insertion into the thimble when the rotation means is engaged with the collar