Nuclear fuel rod loading apparatus

Patent · Tue Nov 25 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6780118

King, H B; Macivergan, R; Mckenzie, G W

An apparatus incorporating a microprocessor control is provided for automatically loading nuclear fuel pellets into fuel rods commonly used in nuclear reactor cores. The apparatus comprises a split ''v'' trough for assembling segments of fuel pellets in rows and a shuttle to receive the fuel pellets from the split ''v'' trough when the two sides of the split ''v'' trough are opened. The pellets are weighed while in the shuttle, and the shuttle then moves the pellets into alignment with a fuel rod. A guide bushing is provided to assist the transfer of the pellets into the fuel rod. A rod carousel which holds a plurality of fuel rods presents the proper rod to the guide bushing at the appropriate stage in the loading sequence. The bushing advances to engage the fuel rod, and the shuttle advances to engage the guide bushing. The pellets are then loaded into the fuel rod by a motor operated push rod. The guide bushing includes a photocell utilized in conjunction with the push rod to measure the length of the row of fuel pellets inserted in the fuel rod.

• Assignee: General Electric Co
• Patent Number(s): US 4235066
• OSTI ID: 6780118
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production & Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
COMPUTERS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
FABRICATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PELLETS
FUEL RODS
LOADING
MATERIALS HANDLING
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MICROPROCESSORS
PELLETS
REACTOR COMPONENTS