CN114161338A

CN114161338A - Clamping device and fuel pellet moving method

Info

Publication number: CN114161338A
Application number: CN202111471275.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 程凡杰; 杨历军; 刘凯凯; 张巍; 梁淑红; 罗皇达; 刘洋; 权艳慧; 周敏兰
Original assignee: China Institute of Atomic of Energy
Current assignee: China Institute of Atomic of Energy
Priority date: 2021-12-03
Filing date: 2021-12-03
Publication date: 2022-03-11

Abstract

A chucking device, comprising: a retainer having an extended state and a folded state; the engaging piece is connected to the clamping piece, when the engaging piece abuts against the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the stretching state, and when the engaging piece is far away from the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the folding state. The clamping device has an extending state and a folding state, and the clamping device can be used for clamping the fuel pellets from the hole structure of the fuel pellets with the hole structure in the extending state so as to lift the fuel pellets and move the fuel pellets; in the folded state, the clip disengages from the fuel pellets so that it can be removed therefrom. By switching the clip between the extended and folded states, the fuel pellets can be handled more easily, e.g. lifted or released, and are less prone to breakage.

Description

Clamping device and fuel pellet moving method

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of nuclear fuel, in particular to a clamping device and a fuel pellet moving method.

Background

The fuel elements are components of the reactor core that generate energy and may be formed by loading nuclear fuel in a metallic cladding. The fuel elements may be rod-like structures, such as a plurality of fuel pellets stacked in a cladding and extending axially along the cladding to form a fuel rod. A plurality of fuel rods may be grouped in a bundle structure to form a fuel assembly for distribution in the core.

The fuel pellets are generally of a structure or shape that often requires handling of the fuel pellets during processing in a fuel element manufacturing line, or during use of critical equipment, and thus, there is a problem in that the fuel pellet structure is susceptible to breakage. Additionally, in some cases, the cladding of the fuel element cannot be lifted out of or out of the core, which would limit assembly or disassembly of the fuel pellets from the cladding.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present application, a chucking device is provided, including: a retainer having an extended state and a folded state; the engaging piece is connected to the clamping piece, when the engaging piece abuts against the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the stretching state, and when the engaging piece is far away from the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the folding state.

Further, the chucking spare forms the cavity, the fitting piece runs through the cavity and follows the cavity extends, the fitting piece is close to the one end setting of chucking spare is held the portion.

Further, a radial dimension of the retainer in the folded state is smaller than a maximum dimension of the retaining portion in the radial direction.

Furthermore, the supporting part is trumpet-shaped.

Further, the grip forms at least two grip arms in the extended state.

Further, the clamping device further comprises an operating part, the operating part is respectively connected to the clamping part and the matching part, and the operating part is arranged to operate the operating part so that the matching part is abutted against the clamping part or the matching part is released.

Further, the operating parts includes fixed handle and activity handle, fixed handle with activity handle movably connects, fixed handle is fixed in chucking spare, activity handle rotationally connect in the fitting piece.

Further, the clamping device is used for driving the fuel pellets to move when clamping the fuel pellets and releasing the fuel pellets to a preset position; wherein the fuel pellet is a cylinder which comprises an opening extending along the axial direction of the fuel pellet, and the clamping device is used for clamping the fuel pellet from the opening.

According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a fuel pellet moving method using a chucking device according to an embodiment of the present application, including the steps of: inserting one end of the clamping device into the opening of the fuel pellet; the matching piece of the clamping device is abutted against the clamping piece, so that the clamping piece is in an extending state and clamps the opening hole; lifting the clamping device drives the fuel pellets to move.

Further, the fuel pellet moving method further includes: moving the fuel pellets to a preset position; moving the mating member away from the clip so that the clip is in a collapsed state and releases the fuel pellets.

According to the clamping device of the embodiment of the application, the clamping piece has an extending state and a folding state, in the extending state, the clamping piece can be used for clamping the fuel pellet from the hole structure of the fuel pellet with the hole structure, so as to lift the fuel pellet and move the fuel pellet; in the folded state, the clip disengages from the fuel pellets so that it can be removed therefrom. By switching the clip between the extended and folded states, the fuel pellets can be handled more easily, e.g. lifted or released, and are less prone to breakage.

Drawings

FIG. 1(a) is a schematic structural view of a jamming device according to one embodiment of the present application, wherein the jamming member is in a folded state;

FIG. 1(b) is a schematic view of the clasp of FIG. 1(a) in an extended state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a chucking device according to another embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is an application view of a chucking device according to an embodiment of the present application.

It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and are merely illustrative in nature and not intended to obscure the reader.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear, the technical solutions of the present application will be described below in detail and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. It should be apparent that the described embodiment is one embodiment of the present application and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the described embodiments of the application without any inventive step, are within the scope of protection of the application.

It is to be noted that, unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. If the description "first", "second", etc. is referred to throughout, the description of "first", "second", etc. is used only for distinguishing similar objects, and is not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance, order or number of technical features indicated, it being understood that the data described in "first", "second", etc. may be interchanged where appropriate. If "and/or" is presented throughout, it is meant to include three juxtapositions, exemplified by "A and/or B" and including either scheme A, or scheme B, or schemes in which both A and B are satisfied. Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as "above," "below," "top," "bottom," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's spatial relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures, and should be understood to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

The fuel elements described in the present disclosure may be rod-like structures, such as fuel rods. The fuel elements may include fuel pellets, cladding, end plug assemblies, and hold-down assemblies. The fuel pellet is prepared by processing nuclear fuel into a certain specification size, such as a sintered uranium dioxide pellet, and has a preset theoretical density. A plurality of fuel pellets are stacked axially into the clad along the clad and an axial compression force is generated by the compression assembly to maintain the fuel pellets in axial contact with each other and prevent axial dislodgement of the fuel pellets during handling and transportation. The hold-down assembly comprises, for example, a hold-down spring. The end plug assembly is used to close or seal both ends of the containment shell.

It will be appreciated that the fuel elements may also have other configurations, such as columnar configurations.

During fuel element line processing, or during critical device use, it is often necessary to manipulate the fuel pellets, such as to assemble the fuel pellets into cladding, or to remove the fuel pellets from cladding for replacement. In addition, in some cases, the cladding of the fuel element cannot be lifted out of or out of the core, which limits assembly or disassembly of the fuel pellets from the cladding. In addition, the narrow gap between the fuel pellets and the cladding also limits the assembly or disassembly of the fuel pellets and the cladding.

The fuel pellets may be processed into columns, for example. The fuel pellets may be provided with apertures, for example extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. The opening may extend through the cylindrical body or may extend from one end to any position of the cylindrical body in the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The opening is for example cylindrical. The shape and size of the opening are set according to actual requirements, and the embodiment of the application is not limited.

To facilitate handling of the fuel pellets, the fuel pellets may be handled using a hole-opening-matching handling device thereon, such as to load the fuel pellets into cladding for assembly of the fuel element, or to remove the fuel pellets from cladding for disassembly of the fuel element.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, a clamping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a retainer having an extended state and a folded state; the fitting piece is connected to the chucking spare, and when the fitting piece supported in the chucking spare, the chucking spare was in the state of extending, when the fitting piece was kept away from the chucking spare, the chucking spare was in fold condition.

The clamping piece can clamp the fuel pellet from the opening of the fuel pellet in the stretching state, so that the fuel pellet can be lifted, and the fuel pellet can be freely moved when the fuel pellet is lifted; the clip is in a folded state, it is disengaged from the fuel pellets and can be removed therefrom, at which time the fuel pellets can be released to a preset position.

As shown in fig. 1(a) -1(b), the engaging member 20 is engaged with the clip 10 for adjusting the state of the clip 10. When the engaging element 20 is close to the clip 10 and held against the clip 10, the clip 10 is brought into an extended state (shown in fig. 1(b)), and when the engaging element 20 is away from the clip 10, the clip 10 is brought into a folded state (shown in fig. 1 (a)).

Referring to fig. 3, when the mating member 20 abuts against the clip 10 and the clip 10 is in an extended state, an interaction force (or friction) is generated between the clip 10 and the fuel pellet until the fuel pellet is lifted together when the clip is lifted, at which point the assembly of the clip with the fuel pellet is completed, and the fuel pellet is then moved.

The fuel pellets are moved to a preset position, for example inside or outside the cladding, following which the fuel pellets need to be released. By keeping the fitting piece 20 away from the clamping member 10, so that the clamping member 10 is brought into a folded state, at which time the force between the clamping member 10 and the fuel pellet is lost, the clamping means is disengaged from the fuel pellet, so that the clamping means can be removed from the opening of the fuel pellet after the fuel pellet has been placed in the predetermined position.

By using the clamping device to operate the fuel core blocks, the damage to the fuel core blocks can be reduced, thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the fuel core blocks.

In some embodiments, the retainer 10 forms a cavity, the engaging member 20 extends through and along the cavity, and the engaging member 20 is provided with a holding portion 21 near one end of the retainer 10.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the retainer 10 is, for example, a hollow cylindrical structure. As shown in fig. 1(b), the fastening member 10 comprises, for example, a first portion 11 and a second portion 12, wherein the second portion 12 is movably connected to the first portion 11, so that the second portion 12 can be extended or folded for storage relative to the first portion 11. It will be appreciated that when the second portion 12 is extended, the second portion 12 extends in a generally radial direction of the cylinder. When the second part 12 is folded, it forms a cylinder together with the first part 11, i.e. both the first part 11 and the second part 12 extend in the axial direction of the cylinder.

The first part 11 and the second part 12 may be integrally formed, and only the connection position of the two parts needs to be processed into a movable connection structure. Alternatively, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 may be separately machined and then joined. In some embodiments, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 may be connected by a hinge shaft.

The material of the retainer 10 is, for example, metal. Can ensure certain rigidity to it is difficult to deform when with the chucking of fuel pellet, increases the fastness with the equipment of fuel pellet, reduces the risk that the fuel pellet drops carelessly in the removal fuel pellet in-process, thereby improves the stability of operation fuel pellet. The service life can also be increased.

The engaging member 20 is arranged in a cavity of the grip member 10, which is arranged parallel to the grip member 10. It will be appreciated that the clasp 10 can be switched between the extended and folded states by operating the engagement member 20 axially closer to the clasp 10 or further away from the clasp 10.

The engaging member 20 is, for example, a rod-like structure, and one end thereof is provided with an abutting portion 21 for engaging with the clip 10 to adjust the state of the clip 10.

The engaging member 20 is e.g. slidably connected to the retainer 10. When the engaging element 20 is operated, the engaging element 20 moves relative to the clip 10. Regarding the manner of connection between the engaging element 20 and the retainer 10, it can be set according to practical requirements as long as easy/convenient handling of the engaging element 20 for adjusting the state of the retainer 10 is satisfied.

In some embodiments, the radial dimension of the retainer 10 in the folded state is smaller than the maximum dimension of the retaining portion 21 in the radial direction. On the one hand, the retaining portion 21 is prevented from being withdrawn from the hollow cavity of the clip 10, and on the other hand, when the retaining portion 21 abuts against the second portion 12, it is convenient to prop up the second portion 12, so that the clip 10 is in the stretched state.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1(a), 1(b) or 2, the holding portion 21 is flared. So that the inclined surface 211 of the retaining portion 21 more easily retains the clip 10 and lifts the second portion 12.

The shape of the abutting portion 21 is not limited to the horn shape. It may also be rectangular, diamond, circular, for example.

In some embodiments, the grip 10 forms at least two grip arms 101 in the extended state. When the two chucking arms 101 are formed, as shown in fig. 1(b), the two chucking arms 101 may be symmetrical with respect to the axis to respectively interact with and collectively chuck the fuel pellets.

In other embodiments, the number of the chucking arms 101 may be more than two, for example, three, four, five, six, according to actual requirements. The plurality of gripping arms are circumferentially distributed and together form a part of the housing of the cylinder when the plurality of gripping arms are retracted.

As the operating engagement member 20 is brought closer to the gripping member 10, the plurality of gripping arms spread apart, first contacting the inside surface of the opening of the fuel pellets until a friction force is created between the plurality of gripping arms and the inside surface of the opening sufficient to allow the fuel pellets to move with the gripping device.

It will be appreciated that at least part of the clip of the present application has a different outer diameter in the extended state and in the collapsed state, the outer diameter of the clip being such as to create a friction force with the fuel pellets so that the clip is movable with the fuel pellets.

Of course, the structure of the retainer is not limited to the above. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the clip may have a spring property that urges the outer diameter of the clip to increase when the mating member is held against the clip, so that the outer diameter of the clip is such that it creates a frictional force with the fuel pellets so that the clip and the fuel pellets may move together. In this embodiment, the clamping member is, for example, a rubber tube.

In some embodiments, on the basis of the above-mentioned clamping device, it further comprises an operating member 30, the operating member 30 is connected to the clamping member 10 and the mating member 20 respectively, and the operating member 30 is configured to operate the operating member 30 to press the mating member 20 against the clamping member 10 or release the mating member 20.

The engaging member 20 can be operated by the operating member 30 to be closer to the clip 10 or farther from the clip 10, thereby improving the ease of operation.

As shown in fig. 2, the operation member 30 may comprise a fixed handle 31 and a movable handle 32, the fixed handle 31 and the movable handle 32 being movably connected, the fixed handle 31 being fixed to the retainer 10, and the movable handle 32 being rotatably connected to the engaging member 20.

The fixed handle 31 and the movable handle 32 are easy for a user to hold, hold the fixed handle 31, and then movably operate the movable handle 32, so that the engaging member 20 can be operated to move closer to or away from the fastening member 10. For example, the fixed handle 31 is grasped, and then the movable handle 32 is rotated in a direction away from the fixed handle 31, at which time the movable handle 32 pulls the engaging member 20 to move in a direction close to the retainer 10 until the abutting portion 21 abuts against the retainer 10 to be in an extended state. When the movable handle 32 is turned in a direction approaching the fixed handle 31, the movable handle 32 pushes the engaging member 20, and the engaging member 20 moves in a direction away from the retainer 10, so that the holding portion 21 is disengaged from the retainer 10.

Of course, the manner of operating the movable handle 32 is not limited to the above.

In the above embodiment, the movable handle 32 is movably connected to the mating member 20 via a connecting structure or transition structure 33, and when the movable handle 32 is operated, the movable handle drives the connecting structure or transition structure 33, and thus the connecting structure or transition structure 33 drives the mating member 20 to move.

In other embodiments, the operating member 30 may include a rotating portion and a screw having one end connected to the rotating portion and the other end connected to the fitting 20. When the turning part is operated, the screw brings the fitting member 20 closer to or further away from the clip 10. For example, when the rotating part is rotated clockwise, the screw rod drives the mating member 20 to move toward the fastening member 10 until the holding part 21 is held against the fastening member 10 to form an extended state. When the turning part is rotated counterclockwise, the screw pushes the engaging member 20 to move away from the retainer 10, so that the holding part 21 is disengaged from the retainer 10.

In the above embodiment, the screw can be coupled with the retainer 10. For example, the inner surface of the retainer 10 is threaded and the threaded rod is axially movable relative to the retainer 10.

It can be understood that the structure and the operation mode of the operation part can be set according to actual requirements, and the embodiment of the application is not limited as long as the clamping device can be conveniently and easily operated.

With reference to fig. 3, a chucking device according to an embodiment of the present application may be used to move the fuel pellets 200 to a desired position while chucking the fuel pellets 200.

The fuel pellet 200 is, for example, a cylindrical body, which includes an opening 201, the opening 201 extending in an axial direction of the fuel pellet. The opening 201 may be a hollow structure through the middle of the fuel pellet, i.e., the fuel pellet 200 has an annular structure. Of course, the opening 201 may not extend through the fuel pellet 200, but may extend from one end to any position along its axial direction.

With the grip member 10 of the gripping device, when the grip member 10 is in the extended state, an interaction force (or friction) is created between the grip member 10 and the fuel pellet opening 201 such that the fuel pellets 200 are lifted along with the gripping device when the gripping device is lifted. When the clip 10 is formed in the collapsed position, the clip 10 is not in contact with the fuel pellet opening 201 and the clip assembly can be removed from the opening 201.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a fuel pellet moving method, which may use the chucking device of the above embodiments, including the steps of:

inserting one end of the clamping device into the opening of the fuel pellet;

the matching piece of the clamping device is abutted against the clamping piece, so that the clamping piece is in an extension state and clamps the opening;

and lifting the clamping device to drive the fuel pellets to move.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, when it is desired to manipulate the fuel pellet 200, the retainer 10 is first brought into a folded state (see fig. 1(a)), and one end of the clamping means provided with the butts 21 is inserted into the opening 201 of the fuel pellet 200. I.e. when the retainer 10 is in the folded state, the radial dimension of the retainer 10 and the engaging member 20 is smaller than the radial dimension of the opening 201, so that one end of the clip can enter the opening 201. Subsequently, the operating member 30 can be operated, for example, by holding the fixed handle 31, and rotating the movable handle 32 in a direction away from the fixed handle 31, so that the movable handle 32 pulls the engaging member 20 to move in a direction close to the clamping member 10 until the abutting portion 21 abuts against the clamping member 10 to form an extended state (see (b) in fig. 1). When the gripping member 10 grips the opening 201, the gripping member may be lifted to move the fuel pellets 200, for example, by friction between two or more gripping arms 101 and the inner surface of the opening 201.

On the basis of the above embodiment, the fuel pellet moving method further includes:

moving the fuel pellets to a preset position;

the mating member is moved away from the clip so that the clip is in a collapsed state and releases the fuel pellets.

Referring to fig. 1-3, the fuel pellets 200 may be moved to a desired location by a clamping device. When the fuel pellet 200 is placed in the desired position, the operating member 30 is operated, for example by holding the fixed handle 31, and the movable handle 32 is rotated in a direction towards the fixed handle 31, so that the movable handle 32 pushes the engaging member 20, and thus the engaging member 20 is moved away from the clip 10, and when the holding portion 21 is disengaged from the clip 10, the clip 10 returns to the folded state, at which time the clip is withdrawn from the opening 201.

In the context of the application of the embodiments of the present application, the fuel pellets may be removed from the clad using a clamping device and moved to a desired location and then released. Alternatively, the fuel pellets are loaded into the clad from outside the clad.

According to the clamping device or the fuel pellet moving method of the embodiment of the application, the following beneficial effects are achieved:

the fuel pellets can be easily handled, loaded into the cladding (placed on the bottom of the cladding, or stacked onto other fuel pellets) or removed from the cladding, facilitating assembly of the fuel elements on a production line, or handling the fuel pellets on a critical device without having to move the cladding, improving loading and operating efficiency.

When the fuel pellet is operated, the damage to the structure of the fuel pellet can be reduced; by controlling the movement of the fuel pellets, the structural damage of the fuel pellets caused by collision and friction can be avoided, and the structural integrity of the fuel pellets is ensured.

The operation reliability is high, and the fuel pellet can be prevented from falling off in the moving process.

For the embodiments of the present application, it should also be noted that, in a case of no conflict, the embodiments of the present application and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other to obtain a new embodiment.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and the scope of the present application shall be subject to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A chucking device, comprising:

a retainer (10) having an extended state and a folded state;

the engaging piece (20) is connected to the clamping piece (10), when the engaging piece abuts against the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the stretching state, and when the engaging piece is far away from the clamping piece, the clamping piece is in the folding state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1,

the clamping piece (10) forms a cavity,

the fitting piece (20) penetrates through the cavity and extends along the cavity, and one end, close to the clamping piece (10), of the fitting piece (20) is provided with a butting part (21).

3. The apparatus of claim 2,

the radial dimension of the clamping piece (10) in the folded state is smaller than the maximum dimension of the retaining part (21) in the radial direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,

the supporting part (21) is trumpet-shaped.

5. The apparatus of claim 1,

the gripping member (10) forms at least two gripping arms (101) in the extended state.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1-5, further comprising:

an operating member (30), said operating member (30) being connected to said clamping member (10) and to said mating member (20), respectively,

the actuating element (30) is designed to actuate the actuating element (30) in order to hold the mating element (20) against the clamping element (10) or to release the mating element (20).

7. The apparatus of claim 6,

the operating piece (30) comprises a fixed handle (31) and a movable handle (32), the fixed handle (31) and the movable handle (32) are movably connected,

the fixed handle (31) is fixed on the clamping piece (10), and the movable handle (32) is rotatably connected with the mating piece (20).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the clamping device is used for driving the fuel pellets to move when clamping the fuel pellets and releasing the fuel pellets to a preset position;

wherein the fuel pellet (200) is a cylinder body and comprises an opening (201), the opening (201) extends along the axial direction of the fuel pellet, and the clamping device is used for clamping the fuel pellet from the opening (201).

9. A fuel pellet moving method using the chucking apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by comprising the steps of:

inserting one end of the clamping device into the opening of the fuel pellet;

the matching piece of the clamping device is abutted against the clamping piece, so that the clamping piece is in an extending state and clamps the opening hole;

lifting the clamping device drives the fuel pellets to move.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

moving the fuel pellets to a preset position;

moving the mating member away from the clip so that the clip is in a collapsed state and releases the fuel pellets.