MOX assembly pellet automatic tube loading device and automatic production system

Abstract

This invention discloses an automated MOX module chip loading device and production system. The automated MOX module chip loading device includes an MOX chip feeding mechanism, a depleted uranium chip feeding mechanism, a cladding tube storage mechanism, a pusher mechanism, and a chip transport mechanism. The chip transport mechanism includes a first glove box and a chip transport assembly, used for movement between a first station, a second station, and a third station within the first glove box. The depleted uranium chip feeding mechanism includes a depleted uranium chip feeding assembly and a second glove box, which is connected to the first glove box at a second station, used to push the stacked depleted uranium chips onto the chip transport assembly. The MOX chip feeding mechanism includes a MOX chip feeding assembly and a third glove box, which is connected to the first glove box at a first station. The MOX chip feeding assembly is used to push the stacked MOX chips onto the chip transport assembly, and the pusher assembly is used to push the chips into the cladding tube. The automated MOX module chip loading device has a high degree of automation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of nuclear industry technology, specifically relating to an automatic MOX module chip loading device and an automatic MOX module production system. Background Technology

[0002] The nuclear fuel assemblies used in fast neutron reactors are MOX fuel assemblies, which consist of cladding tubes, MOX pellets, depleted uranium pellets, springs, end plugs, etc.

[0003] In the existing technology, the production process of MOX modules, especially the tube assembly process of MOX module chips, mostly adopts mechanical production with manual assistance. Since MOX modules are highly radioactive, even if production personnel take protective measures, they are still inevitably exposed to radiation hazards, which affects their health. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art by providing an automatic MOX module chip loading device and an automatic MOX module production system including the automatic MOX module chip loading device. The automatic MOX module chip loading device has a high degree of automation and can automatically complete the loading of MOX module chips without manual assistance.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An automated MOX module pellet loading device includes an MOX pellet feeding mechanism, a depleted uranium pellet feeding mechanism, a cladding tube storage mechanism, a pusher mechanism, and a pellet transport mechanism. The pellet transport mechanism includes a first glove box and a pellet transport assembly, which is disposed within the first glove box and moves between a first station, a second station, and a third station within the first glove box. The depleted uranium pellet feeding mechanism includes a depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly and a second glove box, which communicates with the first glove box at a second station. The depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly is disposed within the second glove box and is used to arrange the depleted uranium pellets into long sections and load the resulting long sections. The depleted uranium pellets that have reached the second predetermined length are pushed onto the pellet transport assembly at the second station. The MOX pellet loading mechanism includes the MOX pellet loading assembly and a third glove box. The third glove box is connected to the first glove box at the first station. The MOX pellet loading assembly is disposed inside the third glove box and includes a pellet receiving platform, a row-length push rod, a first gripping component, a first row-length weighing platform, a first transport unit, and a first tray-forming push rod. The row-length push rod, pellet receiving platform, first row-length weighing platform, and first transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the third glove box. The first transport unit includes a first transport tray and a first track. The first track is arranged along the width direction of the third glove box. The first transport tray slides on the first track to slide between the fourth and fifth workstations, with the fifth workstation aligned with the first workstation. The cassette receiving platform is used to receive cassettes loaded with MOX chips. The row-length pusher is used to push the MOX chips in the cassettes onto the first row-length weighing platform. The first row-length weighing platform is used to measure the length and weight of the MOX chips and to row them to obtain a MOX chip column with a first predetermined length. The first gripping component is used to push the obtained MOX chip column to the first transport tray at the fourth workstation. Inside the material tray, the first tray pusher is used to push the MOX pellets in the first transport tray that has slid to the fifth station onto the pellet transport assembly located at the first station. The pusher mechanism includes a fourth glove box and a pusher assembly. The pusher assembly is disposed inside the fourth glove box. The cladding tube storage mechanism includes a fifth glove box. The cladding tube is disposed inside the fifth glove box. The fourth glove box and the fifth glove box are located on opposite sides of the first glove box and are respectively connected to the first glove box at the third station. The pusher assembly is used to push the MOX pellets or depleted uranium pellets transported to the third station by the pellet transport assembly into the cladding tube.

[0007] Preferably, the first glove box is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the second, third, fourth, and fifth glove boxes, and the second, third, and fourth glove boxes are arranged on the same side of the first glove box. The first workstation, the second workstation, and the third workstation are arranged inside the first glove box along the length of the first glove box.

[0008] Preferably, the depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly includes a depleted uranium vibratory feeding component, a second row-length weighing platform, a second gripping component, a second tray-forming push rod, and a second transport unit. The depleted uranium vibratory feeding component, the second row-length weighing platform, and the second transport unit are sequentially arranged along the length of the second glove box. The second transport unit includes a second transport tray and a fourth track. The fourth track is arranged along the width of the second glove box. The second transport tray slides on the fourth track to move between the sixth and seventh stations. The seventh station is connected to the... With the two stations aligned, the output end of the depleted uranium vibratory feeding component is connected to the second row-length weighing platform, which is used to output the stored depleted uranium pellets to the second row-length weighing platform. The second row-length weighing platform is used to measure the length and weight of the depleted uranium pellets and to arrange them into a row of depleted uranium pellets with a second set length. The second gripping component is used to grip the row of depleted uranium pellets into the second transport tray at the sixth station. The second tray-forming push rod is used to push the depleted uranium pellets in the second transport tray at the seventh station onto the pellet transport assembly at the second station.

[0009] Preferably, the automatic MOX module core loading device further includes a spring hopper. The first glove box is provided with a second track and a third track, which are arranged parallel to each other along the length of the first glove box. The core transport component and the spring hopper are respectively slidably mounted on the second track and the third track. The spring hopper stores springs. When the spring hopper moves to the third station, the push rod component can also push the springs into the casing tube.

[0010] Preferably, the automatic MOX module chip loading device further includes a control mechanism, which includes a controller, a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first position sensor is located at a first station and electrically connected to the controller, used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly, and sends a first detection signal to the controller when it detects that the chip transport assembly has moved to the first station. The first sensor is located on a first transport tray and electrically connected to the controller, used to sense the MOX chips on the first transport tray, and sends a first sensing signal to the controller when it senses that MOX chips are placed on the first transport tray. The controller is also electrically connected to a first tray pusher and the chip transport assembly, used to control the chip transport assembly to move to the first station after receiving the first sensing signal, and to control the chip transport assembly to stop moving when receiving the first detection signal, and to control the first tray pusher to start, so as to push the MOX chips onto the chip transport assembly. The second position sensor is located at a second station and electrically connected to the controller, used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly. Upon detecting that the pellet transport assembly has moved to the second station, a second detection signal is sent to the controller. The second sensor, located on the second transport tray and electrically connected to the controller, senses the depleted uranium pellets on the second transport tray. When a depleted uranium pellet is detected on the second transport tray, the second sensing signal is sent to the controller. The controller is also electrically connected to the second tray pusher. Upon receiving the second sensing signal, the controller controls the pellet transport assembly to move to the second station, and upon receiving the second detection signal, controls the pellet transport assembly to stop moving and controls the second... The disc pusher is activated to push the depleted uranium pellets onto the pellet transport assembly. The third position sensor is located at the third station and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the pellet transport assembly and send a third detection signal to the controller when the pellet transport assembly is detected to have moved to the third station. The controller is also electrically connected to the pusher assembly and the spring hopper. After receiving the third signal, it controls the pellet transport assembly / spring hopper to stop moving and controls the pusher assembly to start, so as to push the MOX pellets / depleted uranium pellets / springs into the cladding tube.

[0011] Preferably, the push rod assembly includes a measuring rod, a first push rod, and a second push rod, which are arranged in parallel within the fourth glove box. The first push rod is used to push the spring into the cladding tube, the second push rod is used to push the MOX pellet / depleted uranium pellet into the cladding tube, and the measuring rod is used to measure the length of the cladding tube.

[0012] Preferably, the top of the third glove box is provided with a feeding port, and the material tray receiving platform includes a receiving platform and a lifting unit. The receiving platform is located on the lifting unit and is used to rise to the feeding port under the drive of the lifting unit to receive the material box loaded with MOX chips, and to fall under the drive of the lifting unit so that the material box and the row push rod are on the same plane.

[0013] Preferably, the first glove box, the second glove box, the third glove box, the fourth glove box, and the fifth glove box are all provided with viewing windows.

[0014] The present invention also provides an automated production system for MOX modules, including a plug welding device, a hoisting device, and the aforementioned automated tube loading device for MOX module chips. The plug welding device includes a sixth glove box and a plug welding assembly. The plug welding assembly is disposed inside the sixth glove box. The hoisting device is used to hoist the loaded cladding tube located in the fifth glove box to the sixth glove box. The plug welding assembly is used to seal the opening of the cladding tube transported to the sixth glove box.

[0015] Preferably, the plug welding assembly includes a timing belt, an end plug feeding component, a wiping component, an inflation component, a plug pressing component, and a welding component. The timing belt is arranged along the length of the sixth glove box. The end plug feeding component, wiping component, inflation component, plug pressing component, and welding component are respectively arranged on both sides of the timing belt along the length of the sixth glove box. The timing belt can sequentially transport the casing tube to the wiping component, inflation component, plug pressing component, and welding component. The wiping component is used to wipe the opening of the casing tube. The inflation component is used to replace the gas in the casing tube with helium. The end plug feeding component stores the end plug, and its output end is connected to the plug pressing component for feeding the end plug to the plug pressing component. The plug pressing component is used to install the end plug at the opening of the casing tube and press the end plug tightly. The welding component is used to weld the circumferential seam of the pressed end plug.

[0016] The automatic MOX module chip loading device of this invention has a high degree of automation, which can realize the automatic loading of MOX module chips without manual assistance, thereby improving the loading efficiency of MOX modules and avoiding radiation exposure to operators. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top view of the automatic tube-loading device for MOX module chips in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a front view of the MOX chip feeding mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3This is a top view of the MOX chip feeding mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the MOX chip feeding mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a top view of the depleted uranium pellet feeding mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a top view of the chip transport mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a top view of the push rod mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a top view of the automated MOX component production system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a top view of the plug welding device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1-MOX pellet feeding mechanism, 2-Depleted uranium pellet feeding mechanism, 3-Push rod mechanism, 4-Plug welding device, 5-Pellet transport mechanism, 6-Third glove box, 7-First transport tray, 8-Feed box receiving platform, 9-Rank push rod, 10-First tray-forming push rod, 11-First rank weighing platform, 12-First gripping component, 121-First track, 13-Feed box, 14-First length measuring instrument, 15-Second glove box, 16-Depleted uranium vibratory feeding component. 17-Second tray pusher, 18-Second transport tray, 181-Second gripping component, 182-Second row weighing platform, 183-Fourth track, 19-Spring hopper, 20-Core block transport assembly, 21-First glove box, 22-Pusher assembly, 23-Fourth glove box, 231-Fifth glove box, 24-Sixth glove box, 25-Wiping component, 26-End plug feeding component, 27-Welding component, 28-Plug component, 29-Shell tube storage mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without creative effort are within the scope of the invention.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "above" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience and simplification of the description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0029] In the description of this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "setting," "installation," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] This invention provides an automatic MOX module cartridge loading device, comprising an MOX cartridge feeding mechanism, a depleted uranium cartridge feeding mechanism, a cladding tube storage mechanism, a pusher mechanism, and a cartridge transport mechanism. The cartridge transport mechanism includes a first glove box and a cartridge transport assembly, which is disposed within the first glove box and moves between a first station, a second station, and a third station within the first glove box. The depleted uranium cartridge feeding mechanism includes a depleted uranium cartridge feeding assembly and a second glove box, which is connected to the first glove box at the first station. The depleted uranium cartridge feeding assembly is disposed within the second glove box and is used to arrange the depleted uranium cartridges in order of length and to load them into the correct order. The depleted uranium pellets that have reached the second predetermined length are then pushed onto the pellet transport assembly at the first station. The MOX pellet loading mechanism includes the MOX pellet loading assembly and a third glove box. The third glove box is connected to the first glove box at the second station. The MOX pellet loading assembly is located inside the third glove box and includes a pellet receiving platform, a row-length push rod, a first gripping component, a first row-length weighing platform, a first transport unit, and a first tray-forming push rod. The row-length push rod, pellet receiving platform, first row-length weighing platform, and first transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the third glove box. The first transport unit includes a first transport tray and a first... The system includes a track, the first track being arranged along the width of the third glove box, and a first transport tray sliding on the first track to slide between a fourth station and a fifth station, the fifth station being aligned with the second station. A cassette receiving platform is used to receive cassettes loaded with MOX chips. A row-length pusher is used to push the MOX chips from the cassettes onto a first row-length weighing platform. The first row-length weighing platform is used to measure the length and weight of the MOX chips and to row them to obtain a MOX chip column with a first predetermined length. A first gripping component is used to push the obtained MOX chip column to the first transport tray at the fourth station. Inside the material tray, the first tray pusher is used to push the MOX pellets in the first transport tray that has slid to the fifth station onto the pellet transport assembly located at the second station. The pusher mechanism includes a fourth glove box and a pusher assembly. The pusher assembly is disposed inside the fourth glove box. The cladding tube storage mechanism includes a fifth glove box. The cladding tube is disposed inside the fifth glove box. The fourth glove box and the fifth glove box are located on opposite sides of the first glove box and are respectively connected to the first glove box at the third station. The pusher assembly is used to push the MOX pellets or depleted uranium pellets transported to the third station by the pellet transport assembly into the cladding tubes respectively.

[0032] The present invention also provides an automated production system for MOX modules, including a plug welding device, a hoisting device, and the aforementioned automated tube loading device for MOX module chips. The plug welding device includes a sixth glove box and a plug welding assembly. The plug welding assembly is disposed inside the sixth glove box. The hoisting device is used to hoist the loaded cladding tube located in the fifth glove box to the sixth glove box. The plug welding assembly is used to seal the opening of the cladding tube transported to the sixth glove box.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment discloses an automatic MOX module chip loading device, including a MOX chip feeding mechanism 1, a depleted uranium chip feeding mechanism 2, a cladding tube storage mechanism 29, a push rod mechanism 3, and a chip transport mechanism 5. The chip transport mechanism 5 includes a first glove box 21 and a chip transport assembly 20. The first glove box 21 has a cuboid structure, and the chip transport assembly 20 is disposed inside the first glove box 21 for moving between a first station, a second station, and a third station within the first glove box 21. The first station, the second station, and the third station are arranged along the length of the first glove box 21.

[0035] The depleted uranium pellet feeding mechanism 2 includes a depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly and a second glove box 15. The second glove box 15 is connected to the first glove box 21 at the first station (the middle position of the first glove box 21). The second glove box 15 has a cuboid structure. The depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly is located inside the second glove box 15 and is used to arrange and weigh the depleted uranium pellets to obtain a column of depleted uranium pellets with a second set length, and push it onto the pellet transport assembly 20 at the first station.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown, the MOX chip feeding mechanism 1 includes a MOX chip feeding assembly and a third glove box 6. The third glove box 6 is connected to the first glove box 21 at the second station (located at the first end of the first glove box 21). The third glove box 6 has a cuboid structure. The MOX chip feeding assembly is installed inside the third glove box 6 and includes a material box receiving platform 8, a row-length push rod 9, a first gripping component 12, a first row-length weighing platform 11, a first transport unit, and a first tray-forming push rod 10. The row-length push rod 9, the material box receiving platform 8, the first row-length weighing platform 11, and the first transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the third glove box 6. The first transport unit includes a first transport tray 7 and a first... Track 121 is arranged along the width direction of the third glove box 6. The first transport tray 7 and the first track 121 are located at one end of the third glove box 6. The first transport tray 7 is slidably mounted on the first track 121 to slide between the fourth and fifth workstations. The first row-length weighing platform 11 and the first tray-forming push rod 10 are arranged side by side along the width direction of the third glove box 6, and the two are aligned with each other on the side closest to the first transport unit. Specifically, the end of the first row-length weighing platform 11 is aligned with the fourth workstation, the end of the first tray-forming push rod 10 is aligned with the fifth workstation, and the other side of the fifth workstation (close to the first glove box 21) is aligned with the first workstation.

[0037] The third glove box 6 is equipped with a feed inlet. A material box receiving platform 8 is used to receive the material box 13 from the feed inlet. The material box 13 contains MOX chips. The material box receiving platform 8 is located at the other end of the first row-length weighing platform 11. A row-length pusher 9 is located on the side of the material box receiving platform 8 away from the first row-length weighing platform 11, used to push the MOX chips in the material box 13 onto the first row-length weighing platform 11. The first row-length weighing platform 11 is used to measure the length and weight of the MOX chip column and to arrange them into rows to obtain a MOX chip column with a first set length (the total length of all MOX chips that can be loaded into a single casing tube), thereby ensuring that the total length of the MOX chips subsequently loaded into each casing tube is the same and within the set length range. A first gripping component 12 is located above the first row-length weighing platform 11, used to push the obtained MOX chip column into the first transport tray 7 at the fourth station. Specifically, the first row of weighing platform 11 includes a first weight measuring instrument and a first length measuring instrument 14. MOX chips are placed on the first weight measuring instrument, which is used to measure the weight of the MOX chip column. The first length measuring instrument 14 is placed near the first weight measuring instrument and is electrically connected to the first gripping component. After the length of the MOX chip column on the first row of weighing platform 11 reaches a first set length, the first gripping component 12 sends a signal to the first gripping component 12. The first gripping component 12 grips the MOX chip column into the first transport tray 7 according to the signal.

[0038] The first gripping component 12 includes a first drive cylinder, a first gripper cylinder, and a first gripper. The first gripper cylinder is mounted on the first drive cylinder, and the first gripper is mounted on the first gripper cylinder. The first drive cylinder is used to drive the first gripper cylinder and the first gripper to move along the length direction of the first row of long weighing platform 11. The first gripper cylinder is used to control the opening and closing of the first gripper, thereby gripping the MOX chip stack.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first tray-forming pusher 10 is used to push the MOX chips in the first transport tray 7, which has slid to the fifth station, onto the chip transport assembly 20 located at the first station. The first tray-forming pusher 10 includes a second drive cylinder and a third pusher. The third pusher includes multiple parallel pushers, each of which is connected to the output end of the second drive cylinder. The MOX chips are arranged in a row on the first row of long weighing platforms 11. When the MOX chips are transferred to the first transport tray 7, each MOX chip is placed in a parallel slot of the first transport tray 7. When the first transport tray 7 moves to the fifth station, each slot of the first transport tray 7 is aligned with a third pusher. The second drive cylinder drives the multiple third pushers to move, thereby pushing the MOX chips onto the chip transport assembly 20 in one go.

[0040] In this embodiment, the pusher mechanism 3 includes a fourth glove box 23 and a pusher assembly 22. The pusher assembly 22 is disposed inside the fourth glove box 23. The cladding tube storage mechanism 29 includes a fifth glove box 231. The cladding tube is disposed inside the fifth glove box 231. The fourth glove box 23 and the fifth glove box 231 are located on opposite sides of the first glove box 21 and are respectively connected to the first glove box 21 at the third station (the other end of the first glove box 21). Both the fourth glove box 23 and the fifth glove box 231 are cuboid structures. The pusher assembly 22 is used to push the MOX pellets or depleted uranium pellets transported by the pellet transport assembly 20 to the third station into the cladding tubes.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the orientation of the first glove box 21 is perpendicular to the orientation of the second glove box 15, the third glove box 6, the fourth glove box 23, and the fifth glove box 231. The second glove box 15, the third glove box 6, and the fourth glove box 23 are located on the same side of the first glove box 21, while the fifth glove box 231 is located on the other side of the first glove box 21. This arrangement improves the structural compactness of the automatic MOX module chip loading device. The first, second, and third workstations are located within the first glove box 21 and are positioned along its length.

[0042] like Figure 5As shown, the depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly includes a depleted uranium vibratory feeding component 16, a second-row weighing platform 182, a second gripping component 181, a second tray-forming pusher 17, and a second transport unit. The depleted uranium vibratory feeding component 16, the second-row weighing platform 182, and the second transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the second glove box 15. The depleted uranium vibratory feeding component 16 stores multiple depleted uranium pellets, and its output end is connected to the second-row weighing platform 182. The second-row weighing platform 182 is used to measure the length and weight of the depleted uranium pellets and to process them. The rows are arranged to form a column of depleted uranium pellets with a second set length (the total length of all depleted uranium pellets that can be loaded in a single casing). The second transport unit includes a second transport tray 18 and a fourth track 183. The fourth track 183 is arranged along the width direction of the second glove box 15. The second transport tray 18 slides on the fourth track 183 to move between the sixth and seventh stations. The second tray pusher 17 and the second row weighing platform 182 are arranged along the width direction of the second glove box 15, and their ends near one end of the second transport unit are aligned. Specifically, the end of the second row of weighing platform 182 is aligned with the sixth station, the end of the second tray pusher 17 is aligned with one side of the seventh station, the side of the seventh station near the first glove box 21 is aligned with the second station, the second gripping component 181 is used to grip the obtained depleted uranium pellets into the second transport tray 18 at the sixth station, and then the second transport tray 18 slides from the sixth station to the seventh station. The second tray pusher 17 is used to push the depleted uranium pellets in the second transport tray 18 that has slid to the seventh station onto the pellet transport assembly 20 at the second station.

[0043] Specifically, the second row of weighing platform 182 includes a second weight measuring instrument and a second length measuring instrument. The second weight measuring instrument is used to measure the weight of the depleted uranium pellets. The second length measuring instrument is located near the second weight measuring instrument and is electrically connected to the second gripping component 181. After the length of the depleted uranium pellets on the second row of weighing platform 182 reaches a second set length, a signal is sent to the second gripping component 181, and then the second gripping component 181 grips the depleted uranium pellets into the second transport tray 18.

[0044] In this embodiment, the second gripping component 181 includes a third driving cylinder, a second gripper cylinder, and a second gripper. The second gripper cylinder is mounted on the third driving cylinder, and the second gripper is mounted on the second gripper cylinder. The third driving cylinder is used to drive the second gripper cylinder and the second gripper to move along the length direction of the second row of weighing platform 182. The second gripper cylinder is used to control the opening and closing of the second gripper, thereby gripping the depleted uranium core block array.

[0045] In this embodiment, the second tray pusher 17 is used to push the depleted uranium pellets in the second transport tray 18, which has slid to the seventh station, onto the pellet transport assembly 20 located at the second station. The second tray pusher 17 includes a fourth drive cylinder and a fourth pusher. The fourth pusher includes multiple parallel pushers, each of which is connected to the output end of the fourth drive cylinder. The depleted uranium pellets are arranged in a row on the second row weighing platform 182. When the depleted uranium pellets are transferred to the second transport tray 18, each depleted uranium pellet is placed in a parallel trough of the second transport tray. When the second transport tray 18 moves to the seventh station, each trough of the second transport tray 18 is aligned with a fourth pusher. The fourth drive cylinder drives the multiple fourth pushers to move, thereby pushing the depleted uranium pellets onto the pellet transport assembly 20 in one go.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the MOX module chip automatic loading device also includes a spring hopper 19. The first glove box 21 is provided with a second track and a third track, which are arranged parallel to each other along the length of the first glove box 21. The chip transport component 20 and the spring hopper 19 are respectively slidably mounted on the second track and the third track. The spring hopper 19 stores springs. When the spring hopper 19 moves to the third station, the push rod component 22 pushes the spring into the casing tube.

[0047] In this embodiment, the automatic MOX module chip loading device further includes a control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a controller, a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first position sensor is located at a first station and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly 20 and send a first detection signal to the controller when it detects that the chip transport assembly 20 has moved to the first station. The first sensor is located on the first transport tray 7 and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to sense the MOX chips on the first transport tray 7 and send a first sensing signal to the controller when it senses that MOX chips are placed on the first transport tray 7. The controller is also electrically connected to the first tray pusher 10 and the chip transport assembly 20. After receiving the first sensing signal, it controls the chip transport assembly 20 to move to the first station and controls the chip transport assembly 20 to stop moving when it receives the first detection signal. It also controls the first tray pusher 10 to start so as to push the MOX chips onto the chip transport assembly 20.

[0048] A second position sensor is installed at the second station and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the pellet transport assembly 20 and send a second detection signal to the controller when the pellet transport assembly 20 moves to the second station. A second sensor is installed on the second transport tray 18 and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to sense the depleted uranium pellets on the second transport tray 18 and send a second sensing signal to the controller when a depleted uranium pellet is sensed on the second transport tray 18. The controller is also electrically connected to the second tray pusher 17. After receiving the second sensing signal, the controller controls the pellet transport assembly 20 to move to the second station. After receiving the second detection signal, the controller controls the pellet transport assembly 20 to stop moving and controls the second tray pusher 17 to start, so as to push the depleted uranium pellet onto the pellet transport assembly 20.

[0049] The third position sensor is installed at the third station and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the pellet transport assembly 20. When the pellet transport assembly 20 is detected to have moved to the third station, it sends a third detection signal to the controller. The controller is also electrically connected to the push rod assembly 22 and the spring hopper 19. After receiving the third signal, the controller controls the pellet transport assembly 20 / spring hopper 19 to stop moving and controls the push rod assembly 22 to start, so that the pellet transport assembly 20 stops at the third station and pushes the MOX pellet / depleted uranium pellet / spring into the cladding tube.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the pusher assembly 22 includes a measuring rod, a first pusher, and a second pusher. The first, second, and third pushers are arranged parallel to each other within the fourth glove box 23. The measuring rod is used to measure the length of the cladding tube to ensure that the cladding tube can accommodate depleted uranium pellets, MOX pellets, and springs. The first pusher is used to push the spring into the cladding tube, and the second pusher is used to push the MOX / depleted uranium pellets into the cladding tube. The measuring rod, the first pusher, and the second pusher have different dimensions; the first pusher is adapted to the size of the spring, and the second pusher is adapted to the size of the depleted uranium pellet and the MOX pellet.

[0051] Specifically, the push rod assembly 22 also includes a fifth drive cylinder, a sixth drive cylinder, and a seventh drive cylinder. These three cylinders are arranged parallel to each other within the fourth glove box 23. The measuring rod, the first push rod, and the second push rod are respectively mounted on the output ends of the fifth, sixth, and seventh drive cylinders. These cylinders drive the measuring rod, the first push rod, and the second push rod, respectively. The fourth glove box 23 also contains a fifth track, which runs along the width of the fourth glove box 23. The fifth, sixth, and seventh drive cylinders slide on the fifth track and can move together along it. During the tube loading process, firstly, the fifth, sixth, and seventh drive cylinders move along the fifth track to align the fifth drive cylinder and the measuring rod with the cladding tube. The fifth drive cylinder drives the measuring rod to extend into the cladding tube to measure whether the depth of the cladding tube meets the requirements. When the depth of the cladding tube is within the acceptable range, the fifth, sixth, and seventh drive cylinders continue to move along the fifth track to align the seventh drive cylinder and the second push rod with the cladding tube. The core block transport assembly 20 then moves to the... At the third station, the seventh drive cylinder drives the second push rod to push the MOX pellets and depleted uranium pellets into the cladding tube. The loading order of the MOX pellets and depleted uranium pellets is depleted uranium pellets, MOX pellets (from the inside to the outside). Then, the pellet transport assembly 20 leaves the third station, the spring hopper 19 moves to the third station, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh drive cylinders continue to move along the fifth track to align the sixth drive cylinder and the first push rod with the cladding tube. The sixth drive cylinder drives the first push rod to move, thereby pushing the spring into the cladding tube.

[0052] like Figure 1 , 3 As shown in Figure 4, the top of the third glove box 6 is provided with a feeding port. The material tray receiving platform includes a receiving platform and a lifting unit. The receiving platform is located on the lifting unit and is used to rise to the feeding port under the drive of the lifting unit to receive the material box 13 loaded with MOX chips, and to fall under the drive of the lifting unit so that the material box 13 and the row push rod 9 are on the same plane.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the material box 13 enters the third glove box 6 from the feed port, the lifting unit drives the receiving platform to rise to receive the material box 13 containing MOX chips, and then drives the receiving platform to fall, thereby returning to the plane it was previously on (in the same plane as the row leader push rod 9 and the first row leader weighing platform). Then, the row leader push rod 9 pushes the MOX chips located in the material box 13 onto the first row leader weighing platform 11.

[0054] like Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the first glove box 21, the second glove box 15, the third glove box 6, the fourth glove box, and the fifth glove box 231 are all provided with viewing windows for observing the inside of the glove box. Each glove box is a thick-walled glove box for the protection of operators to shield the radiation of the MOX components.

[0055] The automated MOX module chip loading device in this embodiment is highly automated and can automatically complete the loading of MOX module chips without manual assistance, which improves the loading efficiency of MOX modules and avoids radiation exposure to operators.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment discloses an automated production system for MOX modules, including a plug welding device 4, a hoisting device, and the automated MOX module core loading device from Embodiment 1. The plug welding device 4 includes a sixth glove box 24 and a plug welding assembly. The shape and structure of the sixth glove box 24 are the same as those of the first glove box 21, the second glove box 15, the third glove box 6, the fourth glove box, and the fifth glove box 231, and it also has a viewing window. The plug welding assembly is disposed inside the sixth glove box 24. The hoisting device is used to hoist the loaded cladding tubes located in the fifth glove box 231 into the sixth glove box 24. The plug welding assembly is used to seal the opening of the cladding tubes transported to the sixth glove box 24.

[0058] like Figure 9As shown, in this embodiment, the plug welding assembly includes a plug feeding component 26, a wiping component 25, an inflation component, a plugging component 28, and a welding component 27. Since the lower plug of the casing tube is already installed during the core assembly process, only the upper plug of the casing tube needs to be installed after the core assembly is completed and some processes are performed. Before installing the upper plug, the casing tube needs to undergo the following processes: wiping, inflation, plugging, and welding. The sixth glove box 24 is equipped with a synchronous belt, which is arranged along the length of the sixth glove box 24. The end plug feeding component 26, wiping component 25, inflation component, pressing component 28, and welding component 27 are arranged on both sides of the synchronous belt along the length of the glove box. Under the clamping of the hoisting device, the casing tube enters the synchronous belt of the sixth glove box 24 from the fifth glove box 231. The synchronous belt first moves the casing tube to the wiping component 25 so that the upper opening of the casing tube is aligned with the wiping component 25. The wiping component 25 wipes the casing tube. After wiping, the synchronous belt moves the casing tube to the inflation component so that the upper opening of the casing tube is aligned with the inflation component. The inflation component evacuates the inside of the cladding tube and replaces the gas inside with helium. Then, the synchronous belt moves the cladding tube to the plugging component 28 so that the upper opening of the cladding tube is aligned with the plugging component 28. The plugging component 28 is connected to the output end of the end plug feeding component 26 and is used to receive the upper end plug from the end plug feeding component 26. The plugging component 28 installs the upper end plug at the upper opening of the cladding tube and presses it tightly. Finally, the synchronous belt moves the cladding tube to the welding component 27 so that the upper end plug circumferential seam of the cladding tube is aligned with the welding component 27. The welding component 27 welds the upper end plug circumferential seam of the pressed cladding tube, thereby completing the production of the entire MOX module.

[0059] The automated MOX component production system in this embodiment can automatically complete the processes of MOX component tube assembly and plug welding, realizing fully automated production of MOX components, greatly improving production efficiency, and eliminating the need for manual operation, thus avoiding the health damage of operators caused by radioactive radiation.

[0060] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic tube-loading device for MOX module chips, characterized in that, It includes a MOX pellet loading mechanism (1), a depleted uranium pellet loading mechanism (2), a cladding tube storage mechanism (29), a push rod mechanism (3), and a pellet transport mechanism (5). The chip transport mechanism (5) includes a first glove box (21) and a chip transport assembly (20). The chip transport assembly (20) is disposed inside the first glove box (21). The first glove box has a first station, a second station, and a third station arranged along its length. The chip transport assembly is used to move between the first station, the second station, and the third station within the first glove box (21). The depleted uranium pellet loading mechanism (2) includes a depleted uranium pellet loading assembly and a second glove box (15). The second glove box (15) is connected to the first glove box (21) at a second work station. The depleted uranium pellet loading assembly is located inside the second glove box (15) and is used to arrange the depleted uranium pellets into a line of pellets of a second set length, and push the resulting line of depleted uranium pellets, which has reached a second set length, onto the pellet transport assembly (20) at the second work station. The MOX chip feeding mechanism (1) includes a MOX chip feeding assembly and a third glove box (6). The third glove box (6) is connected to the first glove box (21) at the first work station. The MOX chip feeding assembly is located inside the third glove box (6) and includes a material box receiving platform (8), a row-length push rod (9), a first gripping component (12), a first row-length weighing platform (11), a first transport unit, and a first tray-forming push rod (10). The row leader push rod (9), the material box receiving platform (8), the first row leader weighing platform (11), and the first transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the third glove box (6). The first transport unit includes a first transport tray (7) and a first track (121). The first track (121) is arranged along the width direction of the third glove box (6). The first transport tray (7) slides on the first track (121) to slide between the fourth station and the fifth station, which is aligned with the first station. The material box receiving platform (8) is used to receive the material box (13) containing MOX chips, and the row-length push rod (9) is used to push the MOX chips in the material box (13) onto the first row-length weighing platform (11). The first row-length weighing platform (11) is used to measure the length and weight of MOX chips and to arrange them into rows to obtain a MOX chip column with a first set length. The first gripping component (12) is used to push the obtained MOX chip column into the first transport tray (7) at the fourth station. The first tray pusher (10) is used to push the MOX chips in the first transport tray (7) that has slid to the fifth station onto the chip transport assembly (20) located at the first station. The pusher mechanism (3) includes a fourth glove box (23) and a pusher assembly (22). The pusher assembly (22) is disposed in the fourth glove box (23). The cladding tube storage mechanism (29) includes a fifth glove box (231). The cladding tube is disposed in the fifth glove box (231). The fourth glove box (23) and the fifth glove box (231) are located on opposite sides of the first glove box (21) and are respectively connected to the first glove box (21) at the third station. The pusher assembly (22) is used to push the MOX chip or depleted uranium chip transported by the chip transport assembly (20) to the third station into the cladding tube.

2. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 1, wherein, The first glove box (21) is perpendicular to the orientation of the second glove box (15), the third glove box (6), the fourth glove box (23), and the fifth glove box (231), and the second glove box (15), the third glove box (6), and the fourth glove box (23) are located on the same side of the first glove box (21). The first workstation, the second workstation, and the third workstation are arranged inside the first glove box (21) along the length of the first glove box.

3. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 1, wherein, The depleted uranium pellet feeding assembly includes a depleted uranium vibratory feeding component (16), a second row-long weighing platform (182), a second gripping component (181), a second tray-forming push rod (17), and a second transport unit. The depleted uranium vibratory feeding component (16), the second row of long weighing platforms (182), and the second transport unit are arranged sequentially along the length of the second glove box (15). The second transport unit includes a second transport tray (18) and a fourth track (183). The fourth track (183) is arranged along the width direction of the second glove box (15). The second transport tray (18) slides on the fourth track (183) to move between a sixth station and a seventh station, which is aligned with the second station. The output end of the depleted uranium vibratory feeding component (16) is connected to the second row of long weighing platform (182) and is used to output the stored depleted uranium pellets to the second row of long weighing platform (182). The second row-length weighing platform (182) is used to measure the length and weight of depleted uranium pellets and to row them to obtain a column of depleted uranium pellets with a second set length. The second gripping component (181) is used to grip the depleted uranium pellets after they have been stacked and place them into the second transport tray (18) at the sixth station. The second tray pusher (17) is used to push the depleted uranium pellets in the second transport tray (18) that has slid to the seventh station onto the pellet transport assembly (20) at the second station.

4. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 3, wherein, It also includes a spring hopper (19). The first glove box (21) is provided with a second track and a third track, which are arranged parallel to each other along the length of the first glove box (21). The core block transport assembly (20) and the spring hopper (19) are respectively slidably mounted on the second track and the third track. The spring hopper (19) stores springs. When the spring hopper (19) moves to the third station, the push rod assembly (22) can also push the spring into the casing tube.

5. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 4, wherein, It also includes a control mechanism, which comprises a controller, a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first position sensor is installed at the first workstation and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly (20) and send a first detection signal to the controller when the chip transport assembly (20) is detected to have moved to the first workstation. The first sensor is mounted on the first transport tray (7) and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to sense MOX chips on the first transport tray (7) and, when it senses that MOX chips are placed on the first transport tray (7), sends a first sensing signal to the controller. The controller is also electrically connected to the first disc pusher (10) and the chip transport assembly (20), and is used to control the chip transport assembly (20) to move to the first station after receiving the first sensing signal, and to control the chip transport assembly (20) to stop moving when receiving the first detection signal, and to control the first disc pusher (10) to start so as to push the MOX chip onto the chip transport assembly (20); The second position sensor is installed at the second station and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly (20) and, when the chip transport assembly (20) is detected to have moved to the second station, sends a second detection signal to the controller. The second sensor is mounted on the second transport tray (18) and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to sense the depleted uranium pellets on the second transport tray (18), and when it senses that a depleted uranium pellet is placed on the second transport tray (18), it sends a second sensing signal to the controller. The controller is also electrically connected to the second disk pusher (17) and is used to control the block transport assembly (20) to move to the second station after receiving the second sensing signal, and to control the block transport assembly (20) to stop moving when receiving the second detection signal, and to control the second disk pusher (17) to start so as to push the depleted uranium block onto the block transport assembly (20); The third position sensor is installed at the third workstation and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to detect the position of the chip transport assembly (20) and, when the chip transport assembly (20) is detected to have moved to the third workstation, sends a third detection signal to the controller. The controller is also electrically connected to the push rod assembly (22) and the spring hopper (19) to control the block transport assembly (20) or the spring hopper (19) to stop moving after receiving a third signal, and to control the push rod assembly (22) to start so as to push the MOX block or depleted uranium block or spring into the cladding tube.

6. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 5, wherein, The push rod assembly (22) includes a measuring rod, a first push rod, and a second push rod, which are arranged in parallel within the fourth glove box (23). The first push rod is used to push the spring into the cladding tube, the second push rod is used to push the MOX pellet or depleted uranium pellet into the cladding tube, and the measuring rod is used to measure the length of the cladding tube.

7. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 1, wherein, The third glove box (6) has a feed inlet at the top. The material box receiving platform includes a receiving platform and a lifting unit. The receiving platform is located on the lifting unit and is used to rise to the inlet under the drive of the lifting unit to receive the material box (13) loaded with MOX chips, and to fall under the drive of the lifting unit so that the material box (13) and the row push rod (9) are on the same plane.

8. The MOX assembly pellet auto-canning device of claim 1, wherein, The first glove box (21), the second glove box (15), the third glove box (6), the fourth glove box, and the fifth glove box (231) are all provided with viewing windows.

9. An automatic MOX assembly production system characterized by comprising: It includes a plug welding device (4), a hoisting device, and also includes the automatic tube loading device for MOX module chips as described in any one of claims 1-8. The plug welding device (4) includes a sixth glove box (24) and a plug welding assembly, the plug welding assembly being disposed within the sixth glove box (24). The hoisting device is used to hoist the loaded casing tube located in the fifth glove box (231) to the sixth glove box (24). The plug welding assembly is used to seal the opening of the cladding tube delivered to the sixth glove box (24).

10. The automated production system for MOX components according to claim 9, characterized in that, The plug welding assembly includes a timing belt, an end plug feeding component (26), a wiping component (25), an inflation component, a plugging component (28), and a welding component (27). The synchronous belt is arranged along the length of the sixth glove box (24). The end plug feeding component (26), wiping component (25), inflation component, plugging component (28), and welding component (27) are respectively arranged on both sides of the synchronous belt along the length of the sixth glove box (24). The synchronous belt can transport the casing tube to the wiping component (25), inflation component, plugging component (28), and welding component (27) in sequence. The wiping component (25) is used to wipe the opening of the casing tube. The inflation component is used to replace the gas inside the casing tube with helium. The end plug feeding component (26) stores end plugs, and its output end is connected to the pressing component (28) for feeding end plugs to the pressing component (28). The pressure plug component (28) is used to install the end plug at the opening of the casing tube and press the end plug tightly. The welding component (27) is used to weld the end plug ring seam after it has been compressed.

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