Title: Method and apparatus for sizing nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes are sized internally to diameters precisely fitting nuclear fuel pellets with which the tubes are charged, by externally applying hydraulic pressure to short lengths of each tube, the pressure being applied while the tube is stationary and the tube then moved to bring a new length within the hydraulic pressure zone. The volume of the hydraulic liquid used and the pressure applied to this liquid is such that the liquid is compressed slightly so that the length being sized yields, the expansion of the liquid then completing the sizing. The lengths being sized step-by-step are internally supported by either the fuel pellets or a mandrel having the same diameter as the pellets.

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Inventors:
Application Number: 521144
Filing Date: 1974-11-05
Publication_date: 1976-09-14
Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft (Mulheim, DT)
Primary Class(es): 72/56 72/63, 72/468, 976/DIG286
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3247693	Apr, 1966	Green	72/54.
3657793	Apr, 1972	Scharf	29/421.
3688535	Sep, 1972	Keinanen et al.	72/63.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Hall, Carl E.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin