General Electric Company

Other

Robert G MacIvergan

Harold B King

Gerald W McKenzie

Robert H Lewis

Pat F Moreno

James T MacIvergan

To assemble nuclear fuel bundle spacers comprised of a multiplicity of rod-positioning ferrules, automated apparatus is provided comprising an indexing table mounting a plurality of identical, angularly spaced ferrule fixtures which are successively positioned at a first station for receipt of a pair of properly oriented ferrules. The table is indexed to present the ferrule pairs in turn to a second station where a spring is loaded in pre-assembly relation thereto. At the next table index position, a third station manipulates the successive fixture-mounted ferrule pairs to interlock the spring with each ferrule pair as a subasssembly which is then indexed in turn to a fourth station for assembly into a spacer fixture.

Automated assembly apparatus

A lawn rake is disclosed which comprises a main body portion supported by wheels. A plurality of broad, closely spaced gathering tines formed from a sheet of spring steel or other resilient material extend downwardly and rearwardly from the main body portion. These tines are forwardly disposed at their lower end to engage the ground to gather pine needles, grass clippings and leaves when the rake is pushed forward, and to pass over such debris when the rake is pulled backward. When the rake is pulled backward, debris previously gathered by the gathering tines is transferred to a second set of tines disposed forwardly of the gathering tines. These pusher tines keep the gathered pine needles, grass clippings, etc., in front of the gathering tines thereby preventing the same from clogging with debris.

Raking means

Packaging tray

An apparatus incorporating a microprocessor control is provided for automatically loading nuclear fuel pellets into fuel rods commonly used in nuclear reactor cores. The apparatus comprises a split 'V' trough for assembling segments of fuel pellets in rows and a shuttle to receive the fuel pellets from the split 'V' trough when the two sides of the split 'V' trough are opened. The pellets are weighed while in the shuttle, and the shuttle then moves the pellets into alignment with a fuel rod. A guide bushing is provided to assist the transfer of the pellets into the fuel rod. A rod carousel which holds a plurality of fuel rods presents the proper rod to the guide bushing at the appropriate stage in the loading sequence. The bushing advances to engage the fuel rod, and the shuttle advances to engage the guide bushing. The pellets are then loaded into the fuel rod by a motor operated push rod. The guide bushing includes a photocell utilized in conjunction with the push rod to measure the length of the row of fuel pellets inserted in the fuel rod. Safeguards are employed to insure that the weight and position of the fuel pellets within the fuel rod fall within certain prescribed limits. After a segment of fuel pellets has been loaded, the guide bushing disengages the fuel rod, the rod carousel transfers a new rod into position, and the entire loading operation is repeated.

Nuclear fuel rod loading apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Wilmington, NC, United States of America

Robert G MacIvergan