Device for controlling the dimensions and spaced apart relationship of rigid pieces disposed in a bundle

Patent · Tue Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6279276

Boisseuil, L; Luciani, P; Merard, R

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the dimensions and spaced-apart relationship of rigid pieces disposed in a bundle. Said device comprises: two supple probes adapted to transmit a light beam and insertable between rows of pieces so as to surround one of these rows; means for positioning and displacing these probes; a source of light emitting a light beam transmitted by the first probe then picked up by the second transmitting it to a photodetector producing an electrical signal; electronic means for processing this signal, furnishing information making it possible to control, from reference values, the dimensions and spaced apart relationship of the pieces, due to the modulation of said signal, provoked by the successive occultations of the light beam by the pieces, during the displacement of the probes along the row of pieces. The invention is applicable to the control of the pencils of a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor.

• Assignee: Commissariat a I'Energie Atomique (France)
• Patent Number(s): US 4464332
• OSTI ID: 6279276
• Resource Relation: Patent Priority Date: Priority date 16 Nov 1981, France; Other Information: PAT-APPL-322011
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
CONTROL
SPACERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DATA PROCESSING
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
FUEL ELEMENTS
METERING
METERS
PHOTODETECTORS
SIGNALS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
VISIBLE RADIATION
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PROCESSING
RADIATIONS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
220300* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements