End stop for welding sealing plugs of nuclear fuel rods
This patent describes an end stop adapted for engaging the sealing plug positioned in the end of a nuclear fuel rod and so as to permit the evacuation of the fuel rod to facilitate girth welding of the plug onto the rod, and to permit pressurization of the fuel rod and an enclosing welding chamber to facilitate the seal welding closure of the axial opening in the end stop. The end stop includes an axial passage extending therethrough having a welding electrode coaxially positioned therein to facilitate the seal welding closure of the fuel rod sealing plug. An air channel extends between the axial passage and an outlet on the surface of the end stop. A one-way valve is positioned in the air channel for permitting the free passage of a gas from the axial passage to the outlet into the welding chamber while precluding passage of a gas in the reverse direction.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 4971750
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-373076
- OSTI ID:
- 6018136
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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