Method of laser welding a nuclear fuel rod
US9586287B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.