Abstract: A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer for measuring a parameter of the object, and a mounting assembly removably mounted in the longitudinal and transverse bores of the wall and removably mounting the transducer in the transverse bore such that the first end of the transducer communicates with the cavity and a second end of the transducer communicates with the exterior of the receptacle.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is disclosed for seal welding closed the bore of a sealing plug which is positioned adjacent the end of a hollow tube and where the bore defines an axis in communication with the tube. The apparatus includes a head with an end stop member rotatably mounted thereto. The end stop member is movable between an extended position where the front sealing plug engaging end is extended for engaging and supporting a sealing plug during girth welding, and a retracted position where the end stop member is retracted. A seal welding electrode is supported in an axial passage of the end stop member and is movable therein between a retracted non-welding position and an extended seal welding position where the electrode tip extends outward beyond the front opening of the end stop member for permitting the seal welding closure of the sealing plug axial bore.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tube inspection system is capable of rapid changeover for inspecting tubes of different diameters for flaws of different orientations. The inspection system includes a serial arrangement of multiple separate inspection stations and a plurality of tube inspecting transducer assemblies supported at each inspection station in a predetermined configuration corresponding to the diameter size of the particular tube to be inspected at the respective inspection station without the need for readjustment.

Abstract: A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer operable for sending waves of energy from its first end into the cavity toward the object and receiving echos of energy at the first end from the object for measuring a parameter of the object. Also, the transducer is operable for transmitting input and output signals at its second end.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tube inspection system capable of rapid changeover for inspecting tubes of different diameter sizes includes a serial arrangement of multiple separate inspection stations. One inspection station is used to inspect for tube dimensions irrespective of the tube diameter size. The other inspection stations are used to inspect for flaws and are employed for different ones of the tube diameter sizes to be inspected. A set of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is supported at each inspection station. The transducer assemblies at the flaw inspection stations are in proper orientations corresponding to the diameter sizes of the particular tubes to be inspected at the respective inspection stations without the need for readjustment. The inspection stations contain quantities of liquid for coupling ultrasonic energy between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies and the tube passing through the inspection stations.

Abstract: A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer operable for sending waves of energy from its first end into the cavity toward the object and receiving echos of energy at the first end from the object for measuring a parameter of the object. Also, the transducer is operable for transmitting input and output signals at its second end.

Abstract: A dashpot in a control rod guide thimble for a nuclear fuel assembly includes a lower tubular portion of an elongated main tube of the guide thimble, an auxiliary hollow tube inserted in the lower portion of the main tube, and an end plug attached to a lower end portion of the auxiliary tube. The auxiliary tube has an outside diameter slightly less than an inside diameter of the main tube to permit a close fitting relationship between an exterior surface of the auxiliary tube and an interior surface of the main tube lower portion. The auxiliary tube also has an upper end portion with an inside surface portion in axial cross-section flaring upwardly and outwardly to provide a tapered transition extending between and connecting an interior surface of the auxiliary tube with the exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonically cleaning tubes includes an elongated cleaning tank adapted to hold a quantity of detergent-containing water and a series of transducers mounted on the bottom wall of the tank in a generally linear arrangement extending between opposite end walls of the tank. The transducers generate ultrasonic cavitational energy within the water in the tank. An inclined upper tube entry ramp supported above the tank guides delivery of tubes in single file fashion into the tank to a reversely inclined middle tube transfer ramp. The inclined middle ramp guides transfer of tubes in single file fashion into the water in the tank and to a lower tube soak ramp having a tube accumulating terminal end. The lower ramp feeds the tubes across the tank within the water and above the transducers therein to its tube accumulating end such that each tube will pass through and be cleaned by the cavitation energy in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing the interiors of elongated hollow tubes having open opposite ends, such as by acid etching, water rinsing, steam cleaning or air drying the tube interiors, includes a pair of tube clamping mechanism being operable between tube clamping and unclamping conditions. The clamping mechanisms when in their clamping conditions support the tubes in stationary side-by-side spaced positions for processing and at locations on the tubes displaced inwardly from their opposite ends. The apparatus also has a pair of fluid supply manifolds each being displacable between disengaged and engaged positions with respect to the open opposite tube ends and having nozzles for engaging the respective tube ends to seal off the interior of the tube from the external atmosphere when the manifolds are in their engaged positions.

Abstract: In a fuel rod tube manufacturing system, a tube processing subsystem and method include the steps of arraying, flush etching and rinsing, drying, inspecting and plugging groups of the tubes. At an inlet stage, the tubes are dispensed one at a time from a bundle thereof numbering in the hundreds of such tubes. The dispensed tubes are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship at an assembling stage into a group thereof numbering in the fives of such tubes. Successive groups of the arrayed tubes are delivered to succeeding etch and rinse, drier, and inspection stations where the groups of arrayed tubes are respectively flush etched and rinsed, dried, and inspected. After inspection, accepted tubes are separated from rejected ones and conveyed one at a time to a plug stage where the tubes are plugged to seal the interiors thereof.

Abstract: A system for processing both ends of tubes, such a nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes. A conveyor, adjustable for different length tubing, supports and transversely moves the tubes to tube-end-processing sites. The conveyor is spaced up at the first-tube-end-processing sites to create first access areas. First-tube-end-processing machines have bases with a portion placed underneath the conveyor in these first access areas. The first machines have tube-end-processing modules movably mounted on the bases to accommodate different length tubing. The system also includes second-tube-end-processing machines having tube-end-process modules positioned at the second-tube-end-processing sites. The modules process the tube ends with such operations as deburring, attaching fittings for flush etching the tubes, etc. Preferably, the modules are aligned for the system to process both ends of a tube simultaneously.

Abstract: An improved tube drive apparatus includes drive units disposed in respective orientations angularly displaced about and radially extending from a longitudinal centerline of a tube to be driven by the drive units and a drive train drivingly coupling a motor to the drive units for transmitting driving motion thereto. Each drive unit includes an endless flexible drive belt, a pair of spaced rotatable members entraining the drive belt such that an end of the belt drivingly engages the tube for transmitting driving motion thereto. One rotatable member is drivingly coupled to the drive train and the other rotatable member is angularly adjustable relative to the one rotatable member and the centerline of the tube such that runs of the belt can be changed between generally parallel and criss-cross orientations for varying the motion of the tube produced by engagement of the belt from solely axial rotation to solely longitudinal movement and any combintion of the two motions therebetween.

Abstract: A flying cutoff apparatus for cutting longitudinally moving and axially rotating tubing includes a track positioned along and generally parallel to the direction of longitudinal movement of the tubing, a carriage mounted on the track adjacent to the tubing for movement along the track, a cutter mechanism mounted on the carriage adjacent the tubing and stationary relative to axial rotation thereof, and an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, mounted on the carriage for moving the cutter mechanism relative to the carriage and between non-cutting and cutting positions.

Abstract: An automated fuel rod production system includes a radioactive powder fabrication and processing stage, a pellet fabrication stage, a pellet processing stage, a tube preparation stage and a fuel rod fabrication and inspection stage, all of which provide a continuous (paced) mode of operation from the conversion of a radioactive gas to powder, through the fabrication of the powder into pellets, to completion of the assembly of the fuel rods. Extra capacity is designed into the system at critical points in the powder processing and pellet fabrication and processing stages to facilitate the continuous, paced mode of operation.

Abstract: Systems for, within a sealed environment, determining the bulk density of radioactive nuclear fuel particles flowing in a process stream. A carrier having a known weight and a channel of known volume is selectively shuttled between the flowing particles and a weigh cell. Thus, from the weight of a known volumetric sample, the bulk density is determined. The carrier and selected portions of the cell and carrier transporter are enclosed within a sealed structure to contain the radioactive material within a controlled environment. Subsequent to density determination, the particle sample is dumped, preferably back into the flowing stream, by structure which rotates the carrier or opens a door at the bottom of the channel. The systems also provide for sealing of the housing at various positions of the carrier.

Abstract: A method for determining and assuring that the pressure charged in a fuel rod is retained therein after the rod is sealed by welding a hole closed in the fuel rod end plug. The fuel rod end having the open end plug therein is sealed in a plenum chamber of known volume. A helium source then charges a first chamber to a predetermined pressure, and after isolating the helium source, the first chamber is discharged into the plenum chamber and the fuel rod. If a pressure sensor in the system indicates a relatively high reading, the end plug has not permitted gas to pass into the fuel rod. A relatively low reading indicates that the fuel rod has been pressurized and the hole in the end plug is then welded shut. To verify that the end plug is properly sealed, the plenum chamber is vented to a third chamber of known volume and the system pressure is then determined. If such pressure reaches a predetermined high value, the end plug weld is defective.

Abstract: Method for removing fuel pellets from a nuclear fuel element without damaging the fuel pellets or fuel element sheath so that both may be reused. The method comprises holding the fuel element while a high pressure stream internally pressurizes the fuel element to expand the fuel element sheath away from the fuel pellets therein so that the fuel pellets may be easily removed.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing press apparatus, including a die set and a reciprocating punch block, within a hazardous environment. The die set and punch block are sealed within an enclosure room into which an elongated drive shaft, which connects the punch block and a drive unit, passes. The drive shaft is sealed at the point where it passes from inside to outside of the room, while allowing the shaft to reciprocatingly move. The arrangement provides access to the drive unit for maintenance, external to the hazardous environment and, in the event of a release of hydraulic fluid in an hydraulic drive, the fluid is maintained segregated from the hazardous environment and the material therein.

Abstract: A punch press remotely disengageable from the punch drive mechanism, particularly useful where the press must operate in a hostile environment. The press includes a punch block, supporting one or more punches, which is laterally inserted into connection with the punch drive apparatus. A die set is provided for supporting one or more dies, and the die set is associated with the punch block such that the punch is guided into a preselected position relative to the die by the drive apparatus. A structural frame is provided for seating the die set, which can be laterally inserted and removed from the frame. Guide rails are also provided which can extend laterally from the frame and support the die set in a position removed from the normal operating position within the frame. The guide rails also support the die set in the operating position.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fuel pellets from a nuclear fuel element without damaging the fuel pellets or fuel element sheath so that both may be reused. The apparatus comprises devices for holding the fuel element while a high pressure stream internally pressurizes the fuel element to expand the fuel element sheath away from the fuel pellets therein so that the fuel pellets may be easily removed.