APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DIMENSIONS OF SPACER GRID FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLIES

• US 20130008040A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kepco Nuclear Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kepco Nuclear Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Shin, Jung Cheol, Han, Yong Gu, Kim, Eun Hye, Han, Jung Yoon
• Granted Patent: US 8,707,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/502
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/00 Monitoring; Testing measuring in general G01; Maintaining
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 3/3424 Fabrication of spacer grids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for measuring dimensions of a spacer grid for nuclear fuel assemblies. The apparatus includes a fixing unit fixed to a measuring table placed on a floor and kept insulated from vibrations caused by external force, a measuring unit mounted on the fixing unit and configured so that measuring members are installed on both sides of a rectangular spacer grid and move in forward and backward directions by cylinders while grasping the both sides of the spacer grid, and measure abnormalities in the both sides of the spacer grid, and a displacement measuring unit mounted on one side of the measuring unit and sending the measured abnormalities in the both sides of the spacer grid to the outside.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring dimensions of a spacer grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the apparatus comprising:

a fixing unit fixed to a measuring table;

a measuring unit mounted on the fixing unit and having movable members and measuring members, the movable members and the measuring members configured to measure dimensions of the spacer grid while moving in the scope of whole length of the side of the spacer grid; and

a displacement measuring unit coupled to one side of the measuring unit and configured to send measuring results of the spacer grid to an outside.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fixing unit includes:

a main fixing member having an upper plate and a lower plate at both ends;

a base member fixed to the main fixing member, the base member comprising;

middle protrusion pieces formed in the middle of the base member and configured to be fastened to the main fixing member;

finish pieces formed at both ends of the base member; and

first rails configured to be inserted into the middle protrusion pieces and the finish pieces; and

an auxiliary fixing member comprising;

a connection piece configured to be interposed between the protrusion pieces; and

support pieces formed at both sides of the connection piece in mirror symmetry.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein

each of the movable members of the measuring unit comprises:

short shaft pieces coupled to the base member by the first rails and configured to move along the first rails in left and right directions;

a long shaft piece extending perpendicular to the short shaft piece;

a transfer pipe arranged in parallel to the long shaft; and

a second rail arranged in parallel to the long shaft, and

wherein each of the measuring members of the measuring unit is coupled to the transfer pipe and the second rail, and configured to move along a second rail.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary fixing member is assembled between the protrusion pieces and fixed by a fixing pin.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein each measuring member includes:

a connection piece coupled to the second rail and configured to move in the forward and backward directions;

a transfer piece coupled to the transfer pipe, partially inserted into a guide channel of the long shaft piece, and configured to move in the forward and backward directions;

a grip piece configured to grasp one side of the spacer grid; and

a contact piece installed on the connection piece and configured to contact with the spacer grid.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the displacement measuring unit further includes a mounting piece configured to mount the displacement measuring unit to the measuring unit.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the transfer pipe includes air nozzles on each ends of the transfer pipe.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the measuring unit is configured to measure all the sides of the spacer grid while the movable members move along the first rails in the left and right directions and the measuring members move along the second rails in the forward and backward directions.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the grip piece is formed of synthetic resin.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the measuring member is configured to be moved by cylinders in backward and toward directions on the long shaft piece, the cylinders configured to supply air or oil pressure to nozzles on the transfer pipe.

11. An apparatus for measuring dimensions of a spacer grid for nuclear fuel assembly, the apparatus comprising:

a fixing unit fixed to a measuring table;

a measuring unit mounted on the fixing unit and having movable members and measuring members, the movable members and the measuring members configured to measure dimensions of the spacer grid while moving in the scope of whole length of the side of the spacer grid; and

a displacement measuring unit coupled to one side of the measuring unit and configured to send measuring results of the spacer grid to an outside,

wherein the fixing unit includes;

a main fixing member having an upper plate and a lower plate at both ends;

a base member fixed to the main fixing member, the base member comprising;

middle protrusion pieces formed in the middle of the base member and configured to be fastened to the main fixing member;

finish pieces formed at both ends of the base member; and

first rails configured to be inserted into the middle protrusion pieces and the finish pieces; and

an auxiliary fixing member comprising;

a connection piece configured to be interposed between the protrusion pieces; and

support pieces formed at both sides of the connection piece in mirror symmetry,

wherein each of the movable members of the measuring unit comprises;

short shaft pieces coupled to the base member by the first rails and configured to move along the first rails in left and right directions;

a long shaft piece extending perpendicular to the short shaft piece;

a transfer pipe arranged in parallel to the long shaft; and

a second rail arranged in parallel to the long shaft,

wherein each of the measuring members of the measuring unit is coupled to the transfer pipe and the second rail, and configured to move along the second rail,

wherein the auxiliary fixing member is assembled between the protrusion pieces and fixed by a fixing pin,

wherein each measuring member includes;

a connection piece coupled to the second rail and configured to move in the forward and backward directions;

a transfer piece coupled to the transfer pipe, partially inserted into a guide channel of the long shaft piece, and configured to move in the forward and backward directions;

a grip piece configured to grasp one side of the spacer grid; and

a contact piece installed on the connection piece and configured to contact with the spacer grid,

wherein the displacement measuring unit further includes a mounting piece configured to mount the displacement measuring unit to the measuring unit,

wherein the transfer pipe includes air nozzles on each ends of the transfer pipe,

wherein the measuring unit is configured to measure all the sides of the spacer grid while the movable members move along the first rails in the left and right directions and the measuring members move along the second rail in the forward and backward directions,

wherein the grip piece is formed of synthetic resin, and

wherein the measuring member is configured to be moved by cylinders in backward and toward directions on the long shaft piece, the cylinders configured to supply air or oil pressure to the nozzles on the transfer pipe.