摘要:
A quality assurance inspection system utilizes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers to probe an elongated tube for both dimensional and structural integrity. The transducers are pulsed in rapid succession, and echo signals are conducted over separate RF channels and through a multiplexor to a lesser number of detector signals channels, each including a discriminator. Inspection windows are opened in these discriminators to permit detection of echo signals and the generation of time mark signals for stopping a plurality of clocks which then register pulse-echo time intervals. These data are computer processed to provide tube dimension and flaw information.
摘要:
To measure the dimensional characteristics of elongated flow channels for nuclear fuel rod assemblies at the manufacturing site, an upender is utilized to swing a flow channel from a horizontal loading orientation to an upright pre-measurement position and then to shift the flow channel laterally into a measurement position where it is engaged and held by reciprocatingly mounted upper and lower endplugs while its dimensional characteristics are acquired by a measurement carrige mounted for vertical scanning movement along the entire flow channel length.
摘要:
Transport apparatus is disclosed for moving a stream of objects along a substantially continuous path between a source and a collection station and past a viewing station. A stream of successive, spatially separated objects is moved into end-to-end abutment to form successive stacks of objects. Each stack is spiraled past the viewing station with minimal vibration to expose the complete surface of each object to inspection. Subsequently each stack is rearranged into spatially separated objects which are rapidly sorted by diverting those objects from the continuous path which do not conform to predetermined criteria upon inspection. The transport apparatus achieves high throughput without compromising the accuracy of the inspection process.
摘要:
The disclosed invention comprises a method for assembling fuel bundles for service in nuclear reactors which minimizes damage to the assembled components of a nature that renders the components susceptible to destructive corrosion in service, and the enhanced product of the improved method. The invention includes the utilization of a temporary protective barrier, such as water soluble sodium silicate or gelatin, intermediate the components during assembly.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for determining the subcriticality of masses of uranium by directing epithermal neutrons toward said mass, isolating said material from external thermal neutrons, and measuring the ratio of thermal and epithermal neutrons to epithermal neutrons which enables the establishment of a subcriticality value representative of the mass of uranium.
摘要:
Nuclear fuel cladding tube end plug welds are ultrasonically scanned to develop data indicative of weld thickness, weld penetration, and the existence and size of any included feature, such as pores. A computer analyzes the data to determine critical weld characteristics which are then tested against established quality assurance standards to see if the end plug weld is acceptable, all on an automated production line basis.
摘要:
A method for operating a computer to control the manufacture process of zirconium tubes in a pilger mill operation, the computer including an electronic memory and being coupled to the pilger mill to receive, as input, data related to the operation of the mill. The method comprising, in one embodiment, the steps of storing in the computer memory respective test signals, each test signal corresponding to a signal obtained by inspecting a tube manufactured by the mill with a respective, known defective operation condition, inspecting a zirconium tube finished by the manufacture process and generating a signal representative of the physical dimensions and material configuration of the tube, comparing the generated representative signal of the zirconium tube with the stored test signals, alerting an operator if the generated representative signal of the zirconium tube correlates to a stored test signal, and identifying the defective operation condition which corresponds to the correlated stored test signal.
摘要:
Typical nuclear fuel material contains tramp ferromagnetic particles of random size and distribution. Also, selected amounts of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material can be added at random or at known positions in the fuel material. The fuel material in its nonmagnetic container can be scanned by magnetic susceptibility change detecting apparatus to provide a unique signal waveform of the container of fuel material as a signature thereof. At subsequent times in its life, the container similarly can be scanned to provide subsequent signatures. Comparison of the signatures reveals any alteration or tampering with the fuel material.
摘要:
The amount of fissile material such as U-235 in each portion of a fuel element, some of which portions may also contain burnable poison such as gadolinium, is determined by detecting the gamma ray emission due to the natural radioactive decay of the fuel material, analyzing the gamma ray signals from each portion to provide a first count of gamma rays primarily due to the U-235 and a second count of gamma rays primarily due to the U-238 daughter products. These first and second counts are corrected for the cladding wall thickness, the density of the fuel material and the burnable poison content in each portion. The first (U-235) count is then corrected by the second (U-238 daughter) count and the thus corrected U-235 count is converted to an indication of the fuel enrichment in each portion. From the enrichment, the burnable poison content, the density of the fuel material and the volumes of each portion, the weight of U-235 in each portion can be determined.
摘要:
Nuclear fuel cladding tube end plug welds are ultrasonically scanned to develop data indicative of weld thickness, weld penetration, and the existence and size of any included feature, such as pores. A computer analyzes the data to determine critical weld characteristics which are then tested against established quality assurance standards to see if the end plug weld is acceptable, all on an automated production line basis.