Nuclear fuel pellet loading apparatus
US4332120A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/104
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention provides a loading mechanism for directing nuclear fuel pellets from one elevation to a lower container via gravity. The mechanism includes a loading chute into which the pellets are deposited and a vertically movable platform therebelow supporting a replaceable container to receive the pellets from the chute. The chute includes a plurality of generally oppositely downwardly angled resiliently covered plates defining a zig-zag path through the chute to limit the accumulation of momentum to the pellets, and the platform is spring-biased against the accumulated weight of the pellets and container so as to be continuously lowered as the weight thereof increases as the pellets are deposited in the container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.