Patent US3746190A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3746190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filling apparatus for nuclear fuel pellets or the like
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1970-12-08
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1990-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A filling apparatus for inserting material in pellet form into long envelope tubes where the pellets have a diameter that insures a close fit with respect to the inner wall of the envelope tube has a magazine for holding a large number of stacks of the pellets and a guide structure connectable to the magazine for holding and guiding the stacks individually. An insertion mechanism is disposed in operative proximity to the guide structure for inserting the stack disposed in the guide structure into one of the envelope tubes to be filled. The insertion mechanism includes a tubular housing, a pusher slidably disposed in the housing and a drive device which engages the pusher for reciprocally moving the pusher to push the pellet stack from the guide structure into the envelope tube.
Inventors
- 👤 K Hotz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:03
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C21/00; G21C21/02; B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/02; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S254/00; Y10S254/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Filling apparatus for inserting into long envelope tubes a material, such as nuclear fuel, in the form of pellets having a diameter that ensures a close fit with respect to the inner wall of the envelope tube, said apparatus comprising a magazine for holding a large number of stacks of the pellets, a guide structure connectable to said magazine for holding and guiding said stacks individually, and insertion means in operative proximity to said guide structure for inserting the stack diposed in said guide structure into an envelope tube to be filled, said insertion means including a tubular housing having a curved shape, flexible elongated insertion means slidably disposed in said housing, said insertion means comprising a beaded chain having a curved shape, and drive means engaging said insertion means for reciprocally moving said insertion means into the envelope tube to move said tablet stack from said guide structure into the envelope tube to a selected location therein, each successive stack being moved individually by said insertion means into the envelope tube, said drive means including a drive belt in lateral engagement with said chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Filling apparatus for inserting into long envelope tubes a material, such as nuclear fuel, in the form of pellets having a diameter that ensures a close fit with respect to the inner wall of the envelope tube, said apparatus comprising a magazine for holding a large number of stacks of the pellets, a guide structure connectable to said magazine for holding and guiding said stacks individually, and insertion means in operative proximity to said guide structure for inserting the stack diposed in said guide structure into an envelope tube to be filled, said insertion means including a tubular housing having a curved shape, flexible elongated insertion means slidably disposed in said housing, said insertion means comprising a beaded chain having a curved shape, and drive means engaging said insertion means for reciprocally moving said insertion means into the envelope tube to move said tablet stack from said guide structure into the envelope tube to a selected location therein, each successive stack being moved individually by said insertion means into the envelope tube, said drive means including a drive belt in lateral engagement with said chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, said drive means including a second drive belt, a slipping clutch, and a drive mechanism coupled with at least one of said drive belts via said clutch, said drive mechanism including control means for controlling the speed at which said one drive belt is driven.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, said drive belt being made of elastic material and having a profile corresponding to the profile of said beaded chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, said beaded chain comprising a cord, sphere-like chain beads strung on said cord and having a diameter corresponding substantially to the inner diameter of said tubular housing, tube-like beads strung on said cord in alternating relation to said sphere-like chain beads, said tube-like beads having a diameter less than said diameter of said sphere-like beads, and spring means positioned with respect to said beaded chain for holding said chain taut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, said cord being made of elastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, said cord being made of an inelastic material, said spring means being a spring preloaded and disposed between the end of said cord and said beads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, said cord being made of steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |