Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Edward D Pfau

Raymond W Brashier

A method of inspecting the quality of both ends of nuclear fuel rods and which includes a housing with longitudinally separated slots for receiving X-rays downwardly therethrough to define first and second operating positions so that the forward ends of nuclear fuel rods can be aligned below the first operating position and the rear ends of nuclear fuel rods can be aligned below the second operating position. An endless conveyor belt system, having at least three longitudinally spaced apart cleats mounted thereon to define first and second film cartridge receptacles, is adapted to advance X-ray film cartridges longitudinally through the housing. A table is included for selectively lifting the film cartridges from the belt system to maintain the film cartridges stationary while the conveyor belt system is advanced. As film cartridges are advanced through the housing, they are exposed to X-rays at the first and second operating positions to image each end of a given fuel rod by initially positioning each film cartridge in the first receptacle and moving the conveyor belt to align the first receptacle with the first operating position and then transferring the film cartridge to the second receptacle by lifting the cartridge from the belt by the table and advancing the conveyor belt rearwardly to align the second receptacle and cartridge into alignment with the second operating position.

Method of inspecting the quality of nuclear fuel rod ends

An apparatus for inspecting the quality of both ends of nuclear fuel rods includes a housing with longitudinally separated slots for receiving X-rays downwardly therethrough to define first and second operating positions so that the forward ends of nuclear fuel rods can be aligned below the first operating position and the rear ends of nuclear fuel rods can be aligned below the second operating position. An endless conveyor belt system, having at least three longitudinally spaced apart cleats mounted thereon to define first and second film cartridge receptacles, is adapted to advance X-ray film cartridges longitudinally through the housing. A table is included for selectively lifting the film cartridges from the belt system to maintain the film cartridges stationary while the conveyor belt system is advanced. As film cartridges are advanced through the housing, they are exposed to X-rays at the first and second operating positions to image each end of a given fuel rod by initially positioning each film cartridge in the first receptacle and moving the conveyor belt to align the first receptacle with the first operating position and then transferring the film cartridge to the second receptacle by lifting the cartridge from the belt by the table and advancing the conveyor belt rearwardly to align the second receptacle and cartridge into alignment with the second operating position.

Growing community of inventors

Bostic, NC, United States of America

Edward D Pfau