Pattern fuel assembly loading system
US4625396A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1984 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53113
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An interactive system (10) for facilitating assembly of fuel rods into nuclear fuel assemblies having specific grid location requirements for the fuel rods, includes an operator work station (12) adapted for positioning between a supply of fuel rods and a fuel assembly loading magazine (22). Identifying data with each fuel rod is read by the operator with a manual scanner (24) for input and comparison by a computer (28) with the stored data for the particular fuel assembly to be assembled. The proper grid location for the fuel rod is then displayed on a screen (32) prompting the operator to insert the rod through a prompter/detector apparatus (36) mounted on one end of the magazine. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus (36) includes a pair of motorized, slotted guide bars (54, 56) controlled by the computer (28) to intersect over the proper grid location for the particular fuel rod type. Sensors (92, 94, 95) are provided on the guide bars (54, 56) for automatically detecting insertion and verifying identification of the fuel rod loaded into the magazine through control logic in the computer (28). Alternate embodiments of the prompter/detector apparatus (110, 140 and 170) are …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.