JP2670247B2 - Stacked pellet length automatic recording switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a fuel pellet stack length recording system, and more particularly, a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment length recording switch for automatically initiating a length measurement by the recording system. Is oriented.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INFORMATION Nuclear fuel rods contain fissile material in the form of a plurality of generally cylindrical nuclear fuel pellets held in rows or stacks. One type of nuclear fuel rod is, for example, a zoned fuel rod having a short length of blanket pellets on each end. Another fuel rod design example is
Further, the fuel pellets are stacked in three or more regions of different types of pellets, including the end regions of the blanket pellets. The different types of fuel pellets include natural fuel pellets, enriched fuel pellets and coated enriched fuel pellets. Fuel stacks for nuclear fuel rods can be verified by automatic or manual systems.
An example of an automatic verification system is the United States Patent No. US Pat. No. 4,842,808 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The manual collation system comprises an operator work area for handling pellets, and a pellet carry-in tray and a pellet carry-out tray. Furthermore,
The manual reference system is equipped with a linear scale, a standard commercial weight scale, a linear measurement facility with a bar code reader and a local computer for data collection. The operator's work area is provided with a table supported by an angle, and around it, for convenience,
Pellet loading tray, pellet discharging tray, linear measuring equipment and weight scale are installed. The linear measuring equipment comprises an XY positioning device and a digital scale. The XY positioning device supports a measuring arm, a measuring head and a measuring probe. The operator positions the measuring probe to obtain the measured value from the digital scale. The digital scale records the X coordinate length and transmits the length measurement to a local computer for data collection.

The weight scale includes members for supporting the pellet discharge tray during the weighing operation. The weight scale transmits weight measurements to a local computer for data collection. A bar code reader is connected to the data collection local computer to generate error-free identification of incoming material (eg, pellets). The corrugated metal pellet input tray holds pellets and is equipped with a bar code identification label. When the identification label is scanned by the bar code reader, the bar code reader transmits the incoming material identification information to the local computer for data collection to verify the material type prior to use in the operator's work area. To do.

[0006] A local computer for data collection, such as a desktop IBM compatible personal computer, for example, gives instructions to the operator during the matching process and the length and length of the pellet stack segments captured by the operator during the stack formation process. The weight is recorded and verified, and the resulting pellet and fuel rod data is fed to a historical data collection computer. Accurate pellet stack segment length measurements are essential for proper quality control and nuclear fuel rod operation. In a manual system, the length measurement is provided by a linear measuring facility with a manually positioned measuring probe and digital scale. Pellet stacks are typically assembled for 25 rods of fuel rods at a time. The pellets for each lot are stored in special trays in containers or cassettes. Due to the length of the cassette tray, each stack can be composed of nine or more segments. A typical 25 fuel rod lot, or one cassette, has 11 segments and requires recording 11 length measurements for each fuel rod, in other words It is necessary to record 275 individual length measurements for each cassette.

The pellets are separated in rows for each of the 25 rows on the tray, or segment of areas. Each row represents one segment of fuel stack. Pellets that are separated by region or segment are measured and recorded row by row, starting from the previous row and moving to the latter row. The accuracy of the linear measurement facility for pellet stack segments is determined by the spring preloaded device that compresses the pellet stack segments to eliminate the gaps between the pellets, as well as the zero digital scale before and after the series of measurements. Secured by length check. Each time a measurement is taken, the operator positions the measuring probe against the individual pellet stack segments, which compresses the spring preloaded device. The operator then actuates the foot switch to signal the digital scale to transmit the measured length of the pellet stack segment to the local computer for data collection.

Although the above-described system has the capability of accurate length measurement, there is room for improvement. With manual operation,
Operators are overly familiar with the features of manual measurement systems,
Measurements of relatively large numbers of pellet stack segment lengths may be made faster. In particular, the coordination of the operator's hands and feet may be out of sync, which may result in the foot switch being released before the spring has fully compressed the preload device. Therefore, measurement errors may be introduced. These errors are detected in subsequent quality control inspections but require rework, for example remeasurement of the pellet stack segments. Therefore, there is a need for an automatic length measuring system for pellet stack segments that can operate independent of operator limb coordination. There is a more particular need for a manual measurement system that consistently provides accurate pellet stack segment length measurements.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other needs are met by the present invention directed to a pellet stack segment length recording switch for automatically initiating a length measurement by a length measuring device. The measuring device comprises a digital length measuring scale having a manually positioned measuring arm and a measuring head, a spring loaded slider block slidably mounted on the measuring head and having an adjustable sensor pin, A spring having a predetermined compression force that resists the movement of the leg portion of the head toward the slider block, a measuring probe attached to the slider block to compress the pellet stack segment, and the position of the sensor pin is detected. And a fiber optics sensor with high resolution for.

The measuring arm is manually positioned to interlock the measuring head, spring and slider block to position the measuring probe at one end of the pellet stack segment. When the measuring probe comes into contact with the said end of the pellet stack segment, all the manual compression forces applied to the measuring arm move the measuring head, the spring, the slider block and the measuring probe, compressing said end of the pellet stack segment. When less than a predetermined compression force of the spring is applied manually, but sufficient force is applied, the pellet stack segments are compressed and any clearance between the pellets is removed. When such a small force is applied,
The measuring head compresses the spring and moves in the direction towards the slider block. Then, when a predetermined compressive force is applied, the measuring head further compresses the spring and moves closer to the slider block.

The position of the sensor pin of the slider block is adjusted so that the fiber optic sensor detects the position of the sensor pin with respect to the measuring head each time a predetermined spring compression force is applied. On the other hand, the fiber optics sensor activates a digital length measuring scale to transmit the length of the pellet stack segment to a local computer for data collection. In this way, operator hand-foot coordination error is eliminated from the length measurement. Therefore, an accurate and consistent length measurement is provided by the length measuring device.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1A and 1B show a manual reference and measurement station 2 for nuclear fuel pellets, and a front view in the X-axis direction of an XY positioning table 4 utilizing a measurement arm 6. And a side view in the Y-axis direction is included. The operator uses this station 2 to assemble various cylindrical pellet stack segments 8 in various stack shapes. Station 2 is also
I have a measuring device 10. The measuring device 10 corresponds to the XY coordinate position of the measuring arm 6 and has a linear scale 114, which in the exemplary embodiment ± 0.1016 millimeters (0.1
With a resolution of 004 inches, pellet stack segments 8 up to 584.2 millimeters (23 inches) in length can be measured. Referring now to FIG. 1C, a plurality of nuclear fuel pellets 12 are placed on a carry-in tray 14. The manual verification process generally involves handling a plurality of pellet loading and unloading trays, such as the exemplary pellet loading tray 14 and exemplary pellet unloading tray 16, operating the pellets to assemble the pellet stack segments 8, data. Data entry and data processing (eg, stack weight, stack length, pellet tray identification and operator identification) at the collection computer 110 (see FIG. 3) and historical data collection computer (RA
MS) 118 (see FIG. 3).

The pellet stack segment 8 is measured on the input tray 14 and then transferred to the output tray 16. The exemplary loading tray 14 comprises a row of 25 parallel triangular cross-section grooves 20 for holding individual pellet stack segments 8. A comb-shaped reference stop 22 to prevent movement of the pellet stack segment 8 from the input tray 14 to the output tray 16 during length measurement.
Is used. After that, the stopper 22 is moved in order to move the stack segment 8 to the carry-out tray 16.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1C to 2A, the measuring arm 6 includes an attached cylindrical measuring probe 24. The measuring arm 6 and the attached probe 24 are moved above the input tray 14 to the XY position at the end 26 of one individual pellet stack segment 8. The measuring head 28 is attached to the measuring arm 6 by a pair of levers 38, and can be moved in the vertical Z-axis direction by the handle 32. The handle 32 is attached to an end 33 of a lever 34 that pivots about a hinge 36. For simplicity, only the operation of one of the levers 38 will be described below, but it is understood that the other levers 38 operate in a similar manner. FIG.
D and FIG. 1E, the lever 34 is now pivotally connected to one end 40 of the lever 38. The lever 38 is pivotally connected at another end 42 to the measuring head 28. 1D and 1E show the measuring head 28 in the lowered position and the raised position, respectively. The cylindrical probe 24 has a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the nuclear fuel pellet 12. The probe 24 is
Adjacent to the stopper 22 or the end 26 of the segment 8
Adjacent to and can be lowered into one individual row 20 of the input trays 14. As will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the length measurement involves a first, zero length calibration, in which the probe 24 of the measuring arm 6 is positioned against the stopper 22. , A series of pellet stack segment length measurements at the end 26 of each segment 8 and a zero length measurement to verify a third, first length calibration.

Referring to FIGS. 1D and 2A, an exemplary automatic pellet stack segment length recording switch 50 is shown.
Is a cylindrical probe 24, a slider block 44, a spring 46, a substantially rectangular spacer 48, a fiber optics sensor trip screw 52, two fiber optics reflectors 54, 56, a sensor mount 58, two fibers. Includes optics cable 60 and fiber optics sensor 102 (see FIG. 3). Almost reverse U
The V-shaped measuring head 28 has two legs 27, 29 and is connected to the measuring arm 6 by a central rod 30. The rod 30 has a mounting hole 3 at the center of the measuring head 28.
1 (see FIG. 2C). As mentioned above,
The rod 30 and the associated measuring head 28 are movable in the vertical Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the measuring head 28 is lowered by the handle 32 (see FIG. 1D), the washer 35 is attached to one end of the rod 30 until it comes into contact with the shoulder portion of the spacer 39 in the measuring arm 6. The washer 35 compresses the spring 37. Otherwise, the measuring head 28 is usually
It is lifted by the action of the spring 37. Two central cylindrical holes 66, 68 are drilled respectively through the two legs 27, 29 along the longitudinal axis of the measuring head 28. The sensor mount 58 has an elliptical opening 72 that opens along the longitudinal axis of the central holes 66, 68.
The longitudinal axis of this elliptical opening 72 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holes 66, 68.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, the measuring head 28 includes two sets of off-center cylindrical bores drilled through the two legs 27, 29, respectively, along the longitudinal axis. 82-82A, 84-84A. The slider block 44 is also a cylindrical hole 86 away from the two centers,
It has 86A. Similarly, the sensor mount 58 is also 2
It has holes 75 and 75A apart from one center. Holes 75 and 75A of the sensor mount 58 and the slider block 4
The four holes 86, 86A are located on the longitudinal axis of the holes 82-84, 82-84A of the measuring head 28, respectively.

The sensor mount 58 includes two sets of set screws 70.
It is attached to the two pins 76 and 78 by. The pins 76 and 78 are provided with holes 82A-84A of the measuring head 28,
82-84, respectively. Two pins 76,
Reference numeral 78 denotes a notch 80 between the legs 27 and 29 of the measuring head 28.
The slider block 44 is slidably supported inside. For simplicity, only the operation of pin 78 is described below, but it is understood that the other pin 76 operates in a similar manner. Similarly, the hole 86 of the slider block 44
Only one of the holes and one of the holes 75 in the sensor mount 58 will be described below. The pin 78 is fixedly mounted in the hole 82 of the leg portion 27 of the measuring head 28 using the setscrew 70A, and fixed in the hole 75 near the side portion 62 of the sensor mount 58 using the setscrew 70. Has been done. The pin 78 penetrates a hole 59 distant from the center of the spacer 48, and is fixedly attached to the end portion 67 of the spacer 48 with a set screw 70B. Hole 86
Two cylindrical bearings 87 surround the pin 78 that slidably supports the slider block 44 at both half lengths of the. In the vicinity of both ends of the hole 86, two locking rings 88
Bearing 87 is held in place within hole 86. Two bush seals 90 are sealed at both ends of the hole 86.
The off-center holes 82, 84, 86 and the off-center hole 75 extend parallel to the central holes 66, 68 of the measuring head 28. In this way, slider block 4
The movement of the measuring head 28 with respect to 4 is performed by the central holes 66, 68.
Along the longitudinal axis.

The slider block 44 also has a central cylindrical hole 92 and a counterbore 91 located on the longitudinal axis of the central holes 66, 68 of the measuring head 28. A trip screw 52 having a threaded head 51 and a shaft 53 is screwably mounted in the hole 92 by the head 51.
The shaft 53 of the trip screw 52 has a hole 68 of the measuring head 28.
It protrudes into. A set screw 49 is screwably mounted in the hole 92, and the head 5 of the trip screw 52 is attached.
Positioned axially close to 1. As will be described in more detail below, the trip screw 52 has holes 68, 9
1 and 92 have adjustment positions. Almost rectangular spacer 4
8 is a central hole 55, two holes 57 and 59 apart from the center located on both sides of the central hole 55, two longitudinal axis surfaces 61,
63 and two end faces 65, 67. Longitudinal plane 63
Is adjacent to the leg 29 of the measuring head 28. The central hole 55 is located on the longitudinal axis of the central holes 66, 68. Hole 5
5 and hole 68 have a diameter greater than the diameter of shaft 53 of trip screw 52. The shaft 53 freely penetrates the hole 55 without contacting the spacer 48. Furthermore, the shaft 53
Freely penetrate through hole 68 and enter opening 72 without contacting sensor mount 58. As mentioned above, the spacer 48 is attached to the pins 76, 78 by set screws 70B passing through the end faces 65, 67, respectively.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the spring 46 is disposed within the counterbore 91 of the slider block 44 surrounding the shaft 53 of the trip screw 52. The spring 46 has an end that abuts the inner surface 93 of the counterbore 91 and another end that abuts the surface 61 of the spacer 48. Spring 46 is selected to provide a predetermined compressive force that resists movement of measuring head 28 and spacer 48 toward slider block 44. The surface 61 of the spacer 48 has a slider block 44.
It acts as an end stop for movement of the spacer 48 towards. The cylindrical probe 24 is fixed to the grooved alignment surface 25 below the slider block 44 by two setscrews 70C. As described in more detail below, the operator moves the measuring arm 6 so that the probe 24 contacts and compresses the end 26 of the pellet stack segment 8 (see FIG. 1C). In this way, the combination of the measuring arm 6, the measuring head 28, the spacer 48, the spring 46, the slider block 44 and the probe 24 exerts a compressive force on the end 26 of the pellet stack segment 8 for each length measurement. used. After a compressive force is applied by the probe 24 in response to movement of the measuring arm 6 by the operator, the measuring head 28 and the spacer 48 move to the left relative to the slider block 44 of FIG. 2A, compressing the compression spring 46. To do. Similarly, the sensor mount 58 also moves leftward with respect to the shaft 53 of the trip screw 52. The shaft 53 enters the opening 72 of the sensor mount 58 before a predetermined compression force is applied and before the spacer 48 contacts the slider block 44.
When a compressive force larger than a predetermined compressive force is applied, the spacer 48 contacts the slider block 44. Thereby, further movement of the measuring head 28 towards the slider block 44 is restricted.

Two protective tubes 94 (see FIG. 1D) and 96
Is laid along one side of the measuring arm 6,
Each has a built-in fiber optics cable 60. It should be noted that there is sufficient slack in the cable 60 to allow vertical movement of the measuring head 28 over its entire range. The fiber optics cable 60 is
It terminates in fiber optics reflectors 54, 56. The fiber optics reflectors 54, 56 are 2
It is fixed in the sensor mount 58 by using a set screw 70D. A light beam is generated within the fiber optics sensor 102, as more fully described with reference to FIGS. 3-4 (see FIG. 3). Light beam in tube 9
4 through the fiber optics cable 60 and is reflected in the opening 72 of the sensor mount 58 by the reflector 54 (see FIG. 1D) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the holes 66, 68. Within the aperture 72, the light beam travels toward a corresponding reflector 56, which reflects the light beam into a fiber optics cable 60 in a tube 96. Finally, the light beam is received by the fiber optics sensor 102. Each time the above-mentioned predetermined compressive force is applied, the shaft 53 of the trip screw 52
Enters the opening 72 and blocks the light beam. The fiber optics optical sensor 102 detects this interruption of the light beam, which means that the measuring head 28 is properly positioned. On the other hand, the output 1 of the sensor 102
03 (see FIG. 3) initiates the length measurement. It will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to other types of position sensors (eg, proximity switches, limit switches, etc.).

The trip screw 52 has a shaft 5 of the trip screw 52 when a predetermined compressive force is applied thereto.
3 is adjusted to block the light beam. Set screw 4
9 is inserted into the hole 66 of the measuring head 28 and is screwably attached to the hole 92 of the slider block 44. The set screw 49 is provided in the hole 9 of the slider block 44.
Adjacent to the head 51 of the trip screw 52 so as to prevent the trip screw 52 from retracting in 2.

The manual measurement system 150 shown in FIG.
It includes a local control panel 100 as well as a data acquisition computer such as a conventional personal computer (PC) 110. The local control panel 100 includes a fiber optics sensor 102, a foot switch 10
4, two manual switches 106 and linear scale 114
And are interconnected. Personal computer 1
10 is a standard RS-232 interface 11
0a to 110c, a weight scale 112, a linear scale 114, and a historical data collection computer (RAM
S) 118, respectively. The personal computer 110 is further interconnected with the barcode scanner 116 by an interface such as the illustrated keyboard interface 110d. 2
A single manual switch 106 is used to select an automatic or manual operating mode (AUTO / MAN) and to manually utilize the output of the interface 110b of the linear scale 114 (MANUAL TRANSMIT LENGTH).

The personal computer 110 directs the operator to make a series of length measurements to measure the length of the stack segments. The first measurement is a zero length measurement at the stopper 22 (see FIG. 1C). Using the interface 110b, the personal computer 110 commands the linear scale 114 to perform zero length calibration using the zero length measurement data. The second measurement is the end 26 of each segment 8 (see FIG.
(See C) is a measurement of stack segment length.
After all stack segment length measurements have been completed, a final zero length measurement is made at the position of the stopper 22 to ensure that the linear scale 114 has returned to zero length within a predetermined tolerance. Be seen.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the local control panel 100. The power for the local control panel 100 is
Appropriate AC power supply (VAC) via power supply lines 121 and 122
Supplied by 120. Turning on the power supply 120 (POWE
The (R ON) state is indicated by a lamp 123 connected between the power supply lines 121 and 122. The dual switch 124 for selecting the automatic (AUTO) or manual (MAN) operating mode of the local control panel 100 comprises two individual switches 124a, 124b. Whenever switch 124a is in the automatic position, feed line 121
Is connected to the terminal 127,
The automatic state of the control panel 100 is indicated by a lamp 126 in a circuit leading to the feed line 122. The relay coil (R1) 130 is connected to the power supply line 122 and the foot switch 10.
4 contacts 128. Contact point 128
Is connected between the coil 130 and the terminal 127. Whenever the switch 124a is in the automatic position, the power supply line 121 and the terminal 125 are connected to the terminal 127, and the closing of the foot switch contact 128 energizes the coil 130 via the circuit leading to the power supply line 122. On the other hand, whenever switch 124a is in the manual position, terminal 127
Is disconnected from the power supply line 121, the lamp 126 is turned off,
4 shows a manual mode of the control panel 100. In this case, the foot switch contact 128 is disabled and power to the coil 130 is cut off.

Whenever switch 124b is in the automatic position, terminal 129 is connected to terminal 131 and relay contact (TDR1) 132 is connected between terminals 136 and 137 to provide transmission enable input to linear scale 114. Each time the terminals 136, 137 are interconnected (eg, each time the contacts 132 are closed in the automatic mode of the control panel 100), the linear scale 114 measures the length measurement of the stack segment 8 (see FIG. 1C). RS-2 to represent
32 messages are transmitted. On the other hand, whenever switch 124b is in the manual position, terminal 129 is
And the manual length transmission switch 134 is connected to the terminal 13
6 and 137 to provide a transmission enable input for the linear scale 114. In this way, the length measurement is
In manual operating mode it is required by closing switch 134, and in automatic operating mode it is required whenever contact 132 is closed.

AC-DC power supply (VAC / DC) 138
From the AC voltage of the feed lines 121 and 122 to the terminal 139,
A direct current (DC) voltage is generated at 140. In the illustrated embodiment, a 120 VAC / + 24 VDC power supply is used. Terminals 139 and 140 provide a DC potential and a ground potential to fiber optics sensor 102, respectively. The output 103 of the fiber optics sensor 102 becomes suitable for energizing the DC relay coil (R2) 144 whenever the light beam associated with the sensor 102 is interrupted. Each time the light beam is blocked, output 103 is driven to the DC ground reference potential at terminal 140. In this way, a circuit is formed between the DC power supply terminal 139, the relay contact (R1) 142, the coil 144, the output 103 and the DC ground terminal 140. In other words, in the automatic mode, every time the light beam is cut off and the foot switch contact 128 is closed, the relay coil (R1) 130 is energized to close the contact 142 and the relay coil (R2) 144 is closed. It is energized. The relay contact (R2) 148 is driven by the coil 144,
It is then interconnected with a time delay relay (TDR1) 146. The example time delay relay 146 is 0.1 when not energized.
It has an adjustable time delay range of 10 seconds. On the other hand,
Relay 146 generally has no delay when energized.

In the automatic mode, each time the foot switch contact 128 is closed, the coil 130 is energized and the contact 142 is closed. Then, each time the light beam is interrupted, the coil 144 is energized, the contact 148 is closed, the time delay relay 146 is energized, and the contact 1
32 is closed. Thus, in the automatic mode, whenever the operator depresses the foot switch 104 to interrupt the light beam, the terminals 136, 137 are interconnected and the linear scale 114 outputs a length measurement. , Measuring head 28 (see FIG. 2A) is properly positioned. Exemplified 0.1 to 10
With an adjustable time delay of seconds, the contacts 132 remain closed for the adjusted time delay. This is contact 1
Even if contact chattering occurs on 28, 142 and 148,
Alternatively, ensure that spurious length measurements are not delivered even if the light beam is only partially blocked.

Referring now to FIGS. 1C, 3 and 5,
The personal computer 110 executes software routines for determining length measurements for individual pellet stack segments 8. In step 180, the personal computer 110 directs the operator to read various stack formation requirements from the operator's database. The stack formation requirements are then transferred to RAMS 118 in step 182.
Further, a database in the RAMS is accessed to identify an appropriate set of the carry-in tray 14. Then, in step 184, based on the stack formation requirements, the personal computer 110 directs the operator to begin forming stacks up to 25. At step 186, the personal computer 110 instructs the operator to begin measuring stack segment length. Then, step 18
At 7, the operator is instructed to perform a zero length calibration at the position of stopper 22 to calibrate linear scale 114. At step 188, the operator is instructed to make up to 25 length measurements at the end 26 of each pellet stack segment 8 on the input tray 14. Then, in step 189, the operator is instructed to make a zero length measurement that verifies the initial zero length calibration.
The test at step 190 determines if the zero length measurement is within a predetermined tolerance value range. If not, the length measurement is discarded at step 192 and step 186 is repeated to instruct the operator to repeat the stack segment length measurement. On the other hand, if the zero length measurement is within the predetermined tolerance value, then the length measurement is accepted and saved at step 194. Step 19
At 6, the personal computer 110 determines whether all stacks are complete based on the comparison of stack formation requirements and length measurements. If the stack is completely formed and no measurements have been taken, step 184 is repeated and the operator is instructed to continue forming the stack. On the other hand, if the stack has been completed, confirmation information indicating that the stack formation procedure has been completed is transmitted to the RAMS 118 at step 198, and the software routine is thereafter terminated.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and substitutions may be made to the details of the teachings of the invention disclosed above. Will be understood. Therefore, the specific configurations disclosed herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is intended to be covered by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Has been.

[Brief description of the drawings]

A full understanding of the invention is provided by the following description of the preferred embodiment,
In which it is obtained by reading with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIGS.
FIG. 1C is a front view (along the X axis) and a side view (along the Y axis) of the Y positioning table; FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a row of pellet stack segments on a loading tray;
1A is an enlarged view of the measuring arm of FIG. 1B with the measuring head in the lowered position; FIG. 1E is an enlarged view of the measuring arm of FIG. 1B with the measuring head in the raised position; FIG. 2A is a measurement according to the invention. Figure 1D of head and slider blocks
FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG.
Figure 1 of a measuring head and slider block according to the invention
2B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2B-2B of D; FIG. 2C.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the measurement head and slider block shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a manual measurement system having a local control panel and a data acquisition computer according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the local control panel shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a software routine executed by the data collecting computer shown in FIG.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-186390 (JP, A) JP-A-3-12591 (JP, A) JP-A-2-287296 (JP, A) JP-A-2-103498 (JP , A) JP-A-61-4999 (JP, A) US Patent 4,842,808 (US, A)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A measurement comprising: a movable measuring head for providing a compressive force for compressing a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment; and a measuring device for measuring the length of the pellet stack segment in response to the measuring head. A pellet stack length recording switch used in a system, comprising: compression means for compressing with a predetermined compression force by the compression force of the measuring head; and the pellet stack body in cooperation with the compression means. Probe means for contacting one end of the segment and exerting a compressive force of the measuring head on the one end of the pellet stack segment; pin means attached to the probe means and driven by the probe means; and the measuring head For detecting the position of the pin means, the compression force of the measuring head being at least in front of the compression means. Pellet stack with sensing means for outputting a signal representative of the position of the pin means for triggering the measurement of the length of the pellet stack segment by the measuring device whenever equal to a predetermined compressive force. Body length recording switch. 2. A measuring device for measuring the length of a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment along a longitudinal axis, the pellet having a movable measuring head for providing a compressive force for compressing the pellet stack segment. Measuring means for measuring the stack segment length; positioning table means for positioning the measuring head in at least one position along the longitudinal axis of the pellet stack segment; and a compressive force of the measuring head. Compressing means for compressing with a predetermined compressing force, in cooperation with the compressing means, and contacting one end of the pellet stack segment, the compressing force of the measuring head is applied to the one end of the pellet stack segment. Means for acting on the probe means, and attached to the probe means and driven by the probe means Means for detecting the position of the pin means in cooperation with the measuring means, and whenever the compressive force of the measuring head is at least equal to the predetermined compressive force of the compressing means, the pellet product A measuring device for measuring the length of a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment, the detector means outputting a signal representative of the position of the pin means for triggering the measurement of the length of the heavy body segment by the measuring means. 3. A measuring device for measuring the length of a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment along a longitudinal axis, the pellet having a movable measuring head for providing a compressive force for compressing the pellet stack segment. Measuring means for measuring the stack segment length; positioning table means for positioning the measuring head in at least one position along the longitudinal axis of the pellet stack segment; and a compressive force of the measuring head. Compressing means for compressing with a predetermined compressing force, in cooperation with the compressing means, and contacting one end of the pellet stack segment, the compressing force of the measuring head is applied to the one end of the pellet stack segment. Means for acting on the probe means, and attached to the probe means and driven by the probe means Means for detecting the position of the pin means in cooperation with the measuring means, and whenever the compressive force of the measuring head is at least equal to the predetermined compressive force of the compressing means, the pellet product Sensing means for outputting a signal representative of the position of the pin means for triggering the measurement of the length of the heavy body segment by the measuring means, and the length of the pellet stack segment each time the footswitch means is closed. A measuring device for measuring the length of a nuclear fuel pellet stack segment comprising said footswitch means cooperating with said sensing means for triggering the measurement by the measuring means.