Patent US3897673A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear fuel pellet loading machine
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-03
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for loading nuclear fuel pellets on trays for transfer in a system. A conveyor supplies pellets from a source to a loading station. When the pellets reach a predetermined position at the loading station, a manual or automatically operated arm pushes the pellets into slots on a tray and this process is repeated until pellet sensing switches detect that the tray is full. Thereupon, the tray is lowered onto a belt or other type conveyor and transferred to other apparatus in the system, such as a furnace for sintering, and in some cases, reduction of UO2.2 to UO2. The pellets are retained on the tray and subsequently loaded directly into fuel rods to be used in the reactor core.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Kee
- 👤 John V Denero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:52
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C21/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Nuclear fuel pellet loading apparatus comprising: a base supporting a removable carrier adapted to hold nuclear fuel pellets; means cooperaTing with said base for moving said carrier into a predetermined position on the base; stop means on said base engageable by said carrier for stopping movement of the carrier at said predetermined position; pellet feed means adjacent said base for conveying pellets from a source to a position alongside said carrier; and pellet push means alongside said base for transferring the pellets from the feed means onto said carrier, the arrangement being such that upon loading the carrier with pellets the means cooperating with the base moves the carrier away from said predetermined position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Nuclear fuel pellet loading apparatus comprising: a base supporting a removable carrier adapted to hold nuclear fuel pellets; means cooperaTing with said base for moving said carrier into a predetermined position on the base; stop means on said base engageable by said carrier for stopping movement of the carrier at said predetermined position; pellet feed means adjacent said base for conveying pellets from a source to a position alongside said carrier; and pellet push means alongside said base for transferring the pellets from the feed means onto said carrier, the arrangement being such that upon loading the carrier with pellets the means cooperating with the base moves the carrier away from said predetermined position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises a removable tray; furrows in said tray adapted to be aligned with said feed means, each of said furrows being of a size sufficient to accept multiple fuel pellets; and tray raising and lowering means mounted beneath said carrier for moving said tray into and out of position adjacent said pellet feed means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pellet feed means comprises a device which supplies pellets from a source to a conveyor, said conveyor having slots therein which receive and hold said pellets, said slots and pellets have their axis transverse to the axis of said conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pellet feed means comprises a device adapted to move fuel pellets from said source along the length thereof; a timing belt feed conveyor having its pellet inlet end located adjacent the discharge end of said device; said timing belt feed conveyor including drive means coupled to a driven component having slots therein of a size sufficient to receive separate fuel pellets; and means associated with said component for aligning the fuel pellets thereon with furrows on the surface of said carrier to thereby allow the push means to move said pellets from the component onto said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said driven component includes an endless belt having outwardly directed projections thereon which define said slots and are spaced a distance sufficient to receive said pellets; and said drive means connected to said endless belt rotates said belt to move said pellets into a position for loading onto said carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pellet push means comprises a longitudinally extending bar positioned outwardly of said feed means and in transverse alignment therewith so that as the bar is pushed inwardly, the surface thereof engages said pellets and pushes them onto said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a slot position sensing switch is mounted adjacent said timing belt feed conveyor and in a position to be contacted by a first pellet fed onto said driven component, said switch being connected to said drive means and effective to stop said conveyor when the switch-drive means circuit is opened by said first pellet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein pellet position switch means is mounted adjacent said carrier and in alignment with said furrows for sensing when said furrows are fully loaded with pellets; and a circuit connecting said pellet position switch means with said drive means to stop movement of said belt conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 including a pellet position detector mounted on a support for the conveyor and located in the path of the pellets conveyed to a position alongside the carrier.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |