JPH05270643A - Device for orienting atomic fuel pellet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry an atomic fuel pellet aligned in a certain direction without giving damage by adjusting the opening angle of a V-shaped groove in a carry face to lower the gravity center of the pellet all times when the atomic fuel pellet is inclined in a carrying direction. CONSTITUTION:An atomic fuel pellet 4 which is carried along a carry path in ant upright state is moved with the carry path oscillated by a linear oscillation feeder 2. The pellet in the carry path may be somewhat inclined dune to oscillation, but never fail to fall down because the opening angle of a V-shaped groove 6 is adjusted in the height/diameter ratio of the pellet to monotonously lower the gravity center of the pellet 4. As a space between both side faces 5, 5 of the carry path is adjusted somewhat larger than the side width of the pellet 4, the pellet 4 is always upset along a proceeding direction. An upsetting plate 7 is installed so that, if the pellet 4 getting to the upsetting plate 7 is in a standing state, the former is upset, oriented and carried by the latter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for orienting pellets for nuclear fuel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cylindrical article such as a pellet for nuclear fuel (hereinafter, also referred to as "pellet") is formed on a straight line which is horizontal in the axial direction. Parts feeders are used to line up when they are in the collapsed position. FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional standard parts feeder 21.

In the parts feeder 21, a large number of pellets 22 are put together in a bottomed cylindrical bowl 23, and the spiral vibration of the bowl 23 in the circumferential direction causes the spiral passage 24 to stand and fall. The pellets 22 rise while the mixed state remains. Spiral passage 24
A sorting rail 24A is provided in the middle of.

The sorting rail 24A has a guide opening for projecting the upper portion of the standing pellets 22 upward. That is, the sorting rail 24A has a bottom portion for conveying pellets, a side wall portion rising from the bottom portion, and a guide opening portion formed at an upper end portion of the side wall portion. Is opened so that the upper portion of the standing pellets 22 is projected upward,
As the pellet 22 advances in the sorting rail 24A, the guide opening is displaced laterally from the upper side, and the guide opening is displaced laterally as the pellet having the upper end projected falls downward from the guide opening. After that, the opening position returns to the original position so that the guide opening portion is positioned again upward.

Therefore, the pellet 22 in the fallen state is
Although the pellets 22 in the standing state are conveyed over the bottom portion of the sorting rail 24A in a fallen state, the upper portion of the pellet 22 in the standing state is captured by the guide opening portion, that is, the upper end of the pellet 22 in the standing state is guided by the guide opening portion. While protruding above the part,
Proceed in the sorting rail 24A. The guide opening is open upward at the entrance of the sorting rail 24A, but the opening position is displaced laterally as the pellet 22 advances, so that the guide opening is in an upright state at the entrance of the sorting rail 24A. The pellets 22 are forcibly tilted down and finally fall into the bowl 23 from the sorting rail 24A, so that the standing pellets 22 are removed. The pellets 22 in the overturned state are conveyed to the next step without being excluded unlike the pellets 22 in the standing state. In addition, in FIG. 9, reference numeral 25 is a vibration source that applies spiral vibration to the bowl 23.

When such a parts feeder 21 is used, the pellet 22 before entering the spiral passage 24
Has a problem in that pellets 22 are damaged because pellets 22 collide with each other in the bowl 23 or pellets 22 dropped from the sorting rail 24A collide with the pellets 22 in the bowl 23.

In addition to the parts feeder 21 shown in FIG.
There is also a parts feeder as shown in. The parts feeder shown in FIG. 10 supplies pellets 22 from the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure in a state where the pellets 22 are set up on the disc feeder 30.
Located below the upper surface of the disk feeder 30 and
The pellets 22 on the disc feeder 30 are dropped onto the linear conveyor 31 extending in the tangential direction of the. By providing the step 32 between the disc feeder 30 and the linear conveyor 31, the pellets 22 falling from the disc feeder 30 onto the linear conveyor 31 are turned over, and all the standing pellets 22 are arranged in the turned state.

However, in the conventional device shown in FIG. 10, the pellets 22 do not always fall over at the step 32, and as shown in FIG. There is also a moving pellet 22.
Therefore, the feeder having the structure shown in FIG. 10 has a problem that it is necessary to monitor the operator. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for orienting nuclear fuel pellets, which can align the nuclear fuel pellets in a fixed direction without causing damage.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a transport path for transporting pellets for nuclear fuel has a V-shaped groove on a surface orthogonal to the transport direction. When the nuclear fuel pellets are arranged vertically on the transportation surface and the nuclear fuel pellets are tilted in the transportation direction, the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellets is always lowered in the transportation surface. An opening direction of a V-shaped groove is adjusted, which is a device for orienting nuclear fuel pellets. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the transport path includes the transport surface and the transport surface. The apparatus for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to claim 1, further comprising vertical surfaces that are provided upright on both sides of the surface. Between the vertical surfaces to be 4. The nuclear fuel pellet directing device according to claim 2, wherein a regulating member for overturning the container is suspended, and the invention according to claim 4 is configured such that the transport path can vibrate. The nuclear fuel pellet directing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport path has a first endless belt that forms a transport surface and a vertical surface. It is formed with the 2nd endless belt formed, and the moving speed of a 1st endless belt and the moving speed of a 2nd endless belt are mutually different, The orienting apparatus of the pellet for nuclear fuel of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0010]

The directing device is installed in the middle of the transportation path for transporting the nuclear fuel pellets. In the transport path of the directional device, the nuclear fuel pellets on the transport path are transported by appropriate means. Examples of suitable means include a vibrating means and a belt conveying means. The vibrating means applies vibration to the transport path, and the transport path vibrates, so that the nuclear fuel pellets on the transport path advance. Further, in the belt conveying means, for example, by driving the endless belt, the nuclear fuel pellets on the endless belt advance.

The transport path has a V-shaped transport surface in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction, and when the nuclear fuel pellets are vertically arranged on the transport surface, the nuclear fuel pellets are inclined in the transport direction. By doing so, the V-shaped opening angle on the transfer surface is adjusted so that the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellets is always lowered, so that the transfer path vibrates or the first endless surface forming the transfer surface. Due to the difference in the moving speed of the belt and the moving speed of the second endless belt forming the vertical surface, the nuclear fuel pellets on the conveying path easily fall.

Further, in the transport path, if a restricting member for overturning the nuclear fuel pellets in an upright state is suspended between the vertical surfaces standing on both sides of the transportation surface, the nuclear fuel pellets will be further overturned. Be certain.

As described above, the standing nuclear fuel pellets conveyed on the conveying path are forced to fall by the directing device, and the fallen nuclear fuel pellets are They are transported in the overturned state.

[0014]

[Example] The relationship between the inclination α of the nuclear fuel pellet and the height h (α) of its center of gravity G when the nuclear fuel pellet arranged perpendicular to the V groove is laid down sideways in the V-shaped groove. Consider first.

For the sake of convenience, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the nuclear fuel pellets are vertically arranged in the V-shaped groove as viewed from the front of the V-shaped groove and for the nuclear fuel in the V-shaped groove. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the pellet is tilted by an angle α and a view showing a plane including a bottom surface of the pellet for nuclear fuel having an inclination angle α together.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the inclination angle of the nuclear fuel pellet is α, FF ′ = O′F · sin α (1) FF ′ · tan θ = EF (2) Therefore, O′F · sinα · tan θ = EF ·· (3) is derived from the equations (1) and (2).

Since O′F · tan β = EF, from this formula and the above formula (3), O′F · sin α · tan θ = O′F · tan β ∴tan β = sin α · tan θ ∴β = tan ⁻¹ (Sin α · tan θ) is derived.

On the other hand, the tilt angle of the nuclear fuel pellets is 0.
Is the height h of the center of gravity of the pellet for nuclear fuel,
(Α) is h (α) = CG = (kD) / 2. Further, OC · tan θ = D / 2.

When the tilt angle of the nuclear fuel pellet is α, h (α) = (C'C '' + C'G '')-OC = O'C'.sinα + C'G'.cosα- (D / 2) (tan θ) ^-1 (4). Where O′C ′ · sin β = C′E = D / 2
And C′G ′ = kD / 2, the above formula (4) can be expressed as follows: h (α) = (D / 2) (sin α / sin β) + (kD / 2) · cos α− (D / 2 ) (1 / tan θ) = (D / 2) (sin α / sin β + k · cos α-1 / tan θ).

Here, L = D = 2, k = L / D = 1.0
Then, the height h of the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet when the nuclear fuel pellet is inclined (when α changes from 0 to 90) is plotted for each opening angle (2θ) of the V-shaped groove. The situation is shown in FIG.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, when the opening angle (2θ) of the V-shaped groove is 120 degrees, 150 degrees and 180 degrees, as the nuclear fuel pellets rise from the standing state to the inclined state, that is, the inclination angle. It can be seen that as α increases, the height h of the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet once rises, reaches the maximum position, and then falls.

On the other hand, the opening angle (2θ) of the V-shaped groove is 30.
In the case of degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees, the height h of the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet does not increase but decreases from the beginning as the inclination angle α increases.

Thus, the opening angle of the V-shaped groove (2θ)
Is 120 to 180 degrees, the tilt angle of the nuclear fuel pellets is such that, even if the nuclear fuel pellets tilt, the center of gravity position at that tilt becomes smaller than the highest position of the center of gravity. The pellets are restored to the upright state, but when the opening angle (2θ) of the V-shaped groove is 30 to 90 degrees, even if the pellet for nuclear fuel is slightly inclined, its center of gravity position changes to a more stable lower position, The nuclear fuel pellets will fall. Therefore, if the opening angle of the V-shaped groove is selected so that the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet is monotonously lowered as the nuclear fuel pellet is inclined, the nuclear fuel pellet will always fall even if the inclination is slight.

The opening angle of such a V-shaped groove changes depending on the ratio k of the height of the nuclear fuel pellets to the diameter thereof. FIG. 3 shows a change in the position of the center of gravity in the initial stage of tilting of the pellet for nuclear fuel {the height h of the center of gravity when the tilt angle α is 1 degree
(1) -Height h of the center of gravity when the inclination angle α is 0 degree
The relationship between (0)} and the opening angle (2θ) of the V-shaped groove is shown for several types of k. As is clear from FIG. 3, if the change in the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet in the initial stage of inclination is negative, the center of gravity decreases monotonically as the inclination angle increases thereafter. For example, if k = 1.5,
If the opening angle of the V-shaped groove is selected to be 110 degrees or less, the nuclear fuel pellets cannot stably stand up and fall.

The present invention provides a nuclear fuel having a carrier surface with a V-shaped groove having an opening angle adjusted so that the nuclear fuel pellet always falls, as determined from the size of the nuclear fuel pellet. It is a device for orienting pellets.

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, this apparatus 1 for orienting pellets for nuclear fuel has a conveying section 3 having a linear vibration feeder 2 at the bottom. The carrying section 3 has a concave carrying path formed by both side surfaces 5 and 5 parallel to the traveling direction of the nuclear fuel pellets 4 and a V-shaped groove 6 provided below the both side surfaces 5 and 5. Have. The space between the two side surfaces 5 and 5 is set so that the nuclear fuel pellets 4 standing upright vertically.
The size is set slightly wider than the width. The portions 5 and 5 on both sides prevent the nuclear fuel pellet 4 from falling in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. In other words, the side surfaces 5 and 5 regulate the falling of the nuclear fuel pellet 4 only in the traveling direction of the nuclear fuel pellet 4. The opening angle of the V-shaped groove 6 is
The opening angle of the V-shaped groove 6 on the transport surface is adjusted so that the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet 4 is always lowered when the nuclear fuel pellet 4 is inclined in the transport direction. In the apparatus of this embodiment, the inversion plate 7 is laid over the upper surface of the concave transport path so as to straddle the upper portions of the side surfaces 5, 5.

The nuclear fuel pellet directing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is arranged so that the concave conveying path is located immediately below the pellet 22 on which the pellet 22 is dropped in the parts feeder shown in FIG. They may be arranged, or they may be interposed in the middle of the transportation path in the conventional general nuclear fuel pellet transportation device.

In any case, in this nuclear fuel pellet directing device 1, the nuclear fuel pellets 4 that have moved to the transport path move forward as the transport path vibrates by the linear vibration feeder 2. .. Since the nuclear fuel pellets 4 standing up in the conveying path may be slightly inclined due to the vibration, the opening angle of the V-shaped groove 6 is adjusted so that the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellets 4 is monotonously lowered. Be sure to fall because it has been done. Since the distance between the two side surfaces 5 and 5 in the transport path is adjusted to be slightly larger than the lateral width of the nuclear fuel pellet 4,
The falling direction of the nuclear fuel pellets 4 always follows the traveling direction of the nuclear fuel pellets 4. Further, since the tumbling plate 7 is also provided, even if the nuclear fuel pellets 4 reaching the tumbling plate 7 are in the upright state, the nuclear fuel pellets 4 in the upright state must be tumbled by the tumbling plate 7. Be done.

As described above, according to the apparatus 1 for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to this embodiment, the pellets 4 for nuclear fuel to be conveyed are inevitably overturned, that is, the orientation is achieved, and the pellets 4 are conveyed. Go away.

FIG. 5 shows a nuclear fuel pellet directing apparatus 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the nuclear fuel pellet directing device 1a.
Is not provided with the linear vibration feeder 2, but instead, the first belts 8a and 8b are stretched on both side surface portions 5 and 5, respectively, and the first belts 8a and 8b are made endless belts, and are infinite at a constant speed a. On the orbit, on the other hand, the V-shaped groove 6 is provided with the second belts 9a and 9b stretched on the respective inclined surfaces,
The second belts 9a and 9b are endless belts,
The configuration of rotating on an endless orbit at a constant speed b is different from that of the nuclear fuel pellet directing device 1 shown in FIG. 4, and other configurations are the same. Further, in the nuclear fuel pellet directing apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 5, the speed a of the first belts 8a and 8b and the speed b of the second belts 9a and 9b.
Is different from.

This nuclear fuel pelletizing device 1
At a, the nuclear fuel pellets 4 are transported along the transport path by the two second belts 9a and 9b. In that case, when the nuclear fuel pellets 4 conveyed in the upright state come into contact with the first belts 8a, 8b, the first belts 8a, 8b.
Since the speeds of b and the second belts 9a and 9b are different from each other, the nuclear fuel pellets 4 fall on the conveying path. At this time,
The speed a of the first belts 8a and 8b is equal to that of the second belts 9a and 9b.
If the speed is smaller than the speed b, the standing nuclear fuel pellets 4 fall backward and the speed a of the first belts 8a and 8b is decreased.
Is greater than the speed b of the second belts 9a and 9b, the standing nuclear fuel pellets 4 fall forward. In addition,
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first belts 8a and 8b can be omitted.

As another embodiment of the present invention,
An example of the nuclear fuel pellet directing device 1b shown in FIG. In the apparatus 1b for orienting nuclear fuel pellets shown in FIG. 6, except that the V-shaped groove 6 has steps 10 at predetermined intervals in the traveling direction, the nuclear fuel shown in FIG. This is the same as that of the pelletizing device 1 for directing pellets. If the V-shaped groove 6 is provided with the step 10 as shown in FIG. 7, the nuclear fuel pellet 4 will surely fall over at the step 10.

In any of the above-mentioned embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, since the nuclear fuel pellet 4 falls in the V-shaped groove, as shown in FIG. Compared with the case where the pellet 4 falls, the falling region becomes a narrow region. Even if the interval between the nuclear fuel pellets 4 conveyed on the conveying path is short, the nuclear fuel pellets can be brought into a fall state without colliding with each other.

[0034]

According to the present invention described in detail above, since it has the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to automatically arrange the nuclear fuel pellets in a certain direction without causing any damage, and it is necessary to arrange an observer. It is possible to provide a device for orienting pellets for a nuclear fuel that does not have the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the inclination angle α of a nuclear fuel pellet and its center of gravity height h (α).

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between a tilt change and a V-shaped groove in a nuclear fuel pellet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a device for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a device for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a device for orienting nuclear fuel pellets according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a trajectory of a nuclear fuel pellet that falls in a V-shaped groove.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a trajectory of a nuclear fuel pellet that falls on a plane.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b Directing device for pellet of nuclear fuel 2 Linear vibration feeder 3 Conveyor section 4 Pellet for nuclear fuel 5 Both side surfaces 6 V-shaped groove 7 Falling plate 8a, 8b First belt 9a, 9b Second belt 10 Step

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A case where a transport path for transporting nuclear fuel pellets has a transport surface having a V-shaped groove on a surface orthogonal to the transport direction, and the nuclear fuel pellets are vertically arranged on the transport surface. In addition, the opening angle of the V-shaped groove on the transport surface is adjusted so that the center of gravity of the nuclear fuel pellet is always lowered when the nuclear fuel pellet is tilted in the transport direction. Directing device for pellets. 2. The transport path includes the transport surface and vertical surfaces that stand upright on both sides of the transport surface.
An apparatus for orienting pellets for nuclear fuel according to 1. 3. The nuclear fuel pellet according to claim 2, wherein a restricting member for overturning the nuclear fuel pellet in an upright state is hung between vertical surfaces standing on both sides of the transport surface. Directing device. 4. The nuclear fuel pellet directing device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying path is configured to be vibrable. 5. The conveying path is formed by a first endless belt forming a conveying surface and a second endless belt forming a vertical surface, and the moving speed of the first endless belt and the moving speed of the second endless belt. 3. The apparatus for orienting a pellet for nuclear fuel according to claim 2, wherein and are different from each other.