Automatic inspection system for nuclear fuel pellets or rods

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863124

Sease, John D ^[1]; Hamel, William R ^[2]; Bradley, Ronnie A ^[3]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Concord, TN
3. Oak Ridge, TN

An automatic inspection system is provided for determining surface defects on cylindrical objects such as nuclear fuel pellets or rods. The active element of the system is a compound ring having a plurality of pneumatic jet units directed into a central bore. These jet units are connected to provide multiple circuits, each circuit being provided with a pressure sensor. The outputs of the sensors are fed to a comparator circuit whereby a signal is generated when the difference of pressure between pneumatic circuits, caused by a defect, exceeds a pre-set amount. This signal may be used to divert the piece being inspected into a "reject" storage bin or the like.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4098408
• OSTI ID: 863124
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

automatic
inspection
nuclear
fuel
pellets
rods
provided
determining
surface
defects
cylindrical
active
element
compound
plurality
pneumatic
jet
units
directed
central
bore
connected
provide
multiple
circuits
circuit
pressure
sensor
outputs
sensors
fed
comparator
whereby
signal
generated
difference
caused
defect
exceeds
pre-set
amount
divert
piece
inspected
reject
storage
bin
surface defects
fuel pellet
fuel pellets
nuclear fuel
pressure sensor
central bore
active element
provide multiple
comparator circuit
automatic inspection
determining surface
/209/73/376/976/