Apparatus and method for classifying fuel pellets for nuclear reactor
Control for the operation of a mechanical handling and gauging system for nuclear fuel pellets is claimed. The pellets are inspected for diameters, lengths, surface flaws and weights in successive stations. The control includes, a computer for commanding the operation of the system and its electronics and for storing and processing the complex data derived at the required high rate. In measuring the diameter, the computer enables the measurement of a calibration pellet, stores that calibration data and computes and stores diameter-correction factors and their addresses along a pellet. To each diameter measurement a correction factor is applied at the appropriate address. The computer commands verification that all critical parts of the system and control are set for inspection and that each pellet is positioned for inspection. During each cycle of inspection, the measurement operation proceeds normally irrespective of whether or not a pellet is present in each station. If a pellet is not positioned in a station, a measurement is recorded, but the recorded measurement indicates maloperation. In measuring diameter and length a light pattern including successive shadows of slices transverse for diameter or longitudinal for length are projected on a photodiode array. The light pattern is scanned electronically by a train of pulses. The pulses are counted during the scan of the lighted diodes. For evaluation of diameter the maximum diameter count and the number of slices for which the diameter exceeds a predetermined minimum is determined. For acceptance, the maximum must be less than a maximum level and the minimum must exceed a set number. For evaluation of length, the maximum length is determined. For acceptance, the length must be within maximum and minimum limits.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4448680
- OSTI ID:
- 6206537
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 22 Jul 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-171606
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
FUEL PELLETS
CLASSIFICATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
INSPECTION
BEAM OPTICS
CALIBRATION
COMPUTER CODES
DEFECTS
DIGITAL FILTERS
DIMENSIONS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROPROCESSORS
POSITIONING
PULSES
WEIGHT
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
PELLETS
050700* - Nuclear Fuels- Fuels Production & Properties
220300 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements