US3748713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inserting rods into a frame
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1971-01-13
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-01-13
Abstract
Abstract To insert a parallel array of nuclear fuel pins into a wrapper containing transverse grids for locating the pins, the wrapper is first filled with pilot rods of reduced diameter and having tapered leading ends to allow easy passage through the grids. Next the recessed rear ends of the pilot pins are engaged by the front ends of the fuel pins and the latter thrust into the wrapper so that they displace the pilot rods. Successive rows of fuel pins are thrust into the wrapper by apparatus comprising a plurality of resiliently-mounted, grooved roller pairs which locate a row of fuel pins between them, the rear ends of the pins being engaged by a thrust-head which passes between the rollers of each pair.
Inventors
- 👤 J Tindale
- 👤 J Burgess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:49
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/022; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/334; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53026; Y10T29/531; Y10T29/53696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Apparatus suitable for inserting a plurality of rods into a frame which includes grids for locating said rods to form a parallel array, said apparatus comprising a plurality of roller pairs including grooves for locating a plurality of said rods between the rollers in a spaced parallel relationship corresponding to the spacing of a row of said rods when located in the frame, a thrust-head adapted to engage the rear ends of said rods when located between the roller pairs, means for propelling said thrust-head to cause axial movement of said rods, said rollers being resiliently mounted to allow passage of said thrust-head between said pairs, and a table for locating said frame, said table and said plurality of roller pairs being relatively moveable normal to the axis of said frame to allow alignment of a row of rods located between said roller pairs with each row of rod positions in the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus suitable for inserting a plurality of rods into a frame which includes grids for locating said rods to form a parallel array, said apparatus comprising a plurality of roller pairs including grooves for locating a plurality of said rods between the rollers in a spaced parallel relationship corresponding to the spacing of a row of said rods when located in the frame, a thrust-head adapted to engage the rear ends of said rods when located between the roller pairs, means for propelling said thrust-head to cause axial movement of said rods, said rollers being resiliently mounted to allow passage of said thrust-head between said pairs, and a table for locating said frame, said table and said plurality of roller pairs being relatively moveable normal to the axis of said frame to allow alignment of a row of rods located between said roller pairs with each row of rod positions in the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thrust head comprises a plurality of resiliently mounted members each adapted to engage the rear end of said rod, transducer means associated with each said member to provide an output signal corresponding to the thrust applied to each rod, and means controlled by said signals for interrupting the propulsion of the thrust-head if the thrust applied to any rod exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for loading said rods between said grooved roller pairs, said loading means comprising a support member arranged parallel to the rod axes when between the roller pairs, a plurality of members extending from said support member and having collinear grooves for carrying a row of rods spaced to correspond with the grooves of said roller pairs, means for moving said support member so that said grooved members can enter spaces between adjacent roller pairs and align their grooves with the roller grooves, means for separating the individual rollers of said roller pairs to allow passage or rods across the roller grooves, and means for moving said support member vertically relative to said roller pairs to allow the deposition of a row of rods on the lower rollers of said separated roller pairs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3551983A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |