Nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing equipment and method

Abstract

The invention provides nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing equipment and method, the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing equipment can comprise a bearing mechanism, an assembling mechanism and a packaging mechanism, and the bearing mechanism is provided with a first area, a target area and a second area which are distributed in the first direction; the assembling mechanism comprises a first assembling structure and a second assembling structure, the first assembling structure and the second assembling structure are distributed in the first direction, the first assembling structure is used for providing acting force in the first direction for objects in the first area, and the second assembling structure is used for providing acting force opposite to the first direction for objects in the second area; the packaging mechanism comprises a cover body and a hot melting structure, the cover body covers the target area and is matched with the target area to form a packaging space, a first part and a second part, distributed in the first direction, of the cover body can move relative to the cover body so that the first area, the target area and the second area can communicate with each other, and the hot melting structure is arranged in the packaging space. And heat is conveyed to the two ends of the packaging space along the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of nuclear fuel technology, and in particular to a nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus and method. Background Technology

[0002] During the nuclear fuel cladding process, after the fuel pellets are loaded into the cladding tube, the openings at both ends of the cladding tube need to be sealed by end plug structures to form a complete nuclear fuel cladding.

[0003] In related technologies, the production of nuclear fuel cladding requires multiple steps on multiple devices, resulting in low mechanization and low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing equipment and method, and the technical problem it aims to solve is to achieve integrated mechanized production of nuclear fuel cladding, thereby improving overall production efficiency and product quality consistency.

[0005] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus, which may include: a support mechanism, an assembly mechanism, and a packaging mechanism. The support mechanism has a first region, a target region, and a second region distributed along a first direction. The assembly mechanism includes: a first assembly structure and a second assembly structure, which are distributed along the first direction. The first assembly structure is used to provide a force along the first direction to an object in the first region, and the second assembly structure is used to provide a force opposite to the first direction to an object in the second region. The packaging mechanism includes: a cover and a heat-fusion structure. The cover is placed over the target region and cooperates with the target region to form a packaging space. The first part and the second part of the cover distributed along the first direction are respectively movable relative to the cover to make the first region, the target region, and the second region interconnected. The heat-fusion structure is disposed in the packaging space and is used to deliver heat to both ends of the packaging space along the first direction.

[0006] In some embodiments, the supporting mechanism includes: a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a third supporting member distributed along the first direction, the first supporting member, the second supporting member, and the third supporting member respectively having a first region, a third region, and a second region, the third region being capable of reciprocating in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and coinciding with the target region to form the target region; the cover is connected to the first supporting member and the third supporting member; wherein, the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment further includes: a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being connected to the second supporting member and used to provide a first driving force to the second supporting member to cause the second supporting member to reciprocate in the second direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, a plurality of second carriers are arranged along the second direction; the driving mechanism is further configured to sequentially provide the first driving force to the plurality of second carriers so that the third regions of different second carriers form the target region.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the driving mechanism sequentially provides the first driving force to a plurality of second carriers, the interval between two adjacent second carriers is equal to the outer diameter of the cladding tube.

[0009] In some embodiments, any one of the first region, the target region, and the second region is provided with a limiting groove extending along the first direction, the width of which matches the outer diameter of the casing tube.

[0010] In some embodiments, the supporting mechanism further includes a limiting structure for releasably limiting the position of the casing tube in the first region and / or the target region.

[0011] In some embodiments, the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus may further include a cooling mechanism disposed adjacent to the cladding space and used to reduce the temperature of the cladding space to a target temperature.

[0012] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides a method for manufacturing nuclear fuel cladding, applicable to the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing equipment described in any embodiment of the first aspect. The method includes: controlling the movement of a first part and a second part to connect a first region, a target region, and a second region; controlling a first assembly structure to provide a force along a first direction to a first end cap structure on the first region to push the first end cap structure to assemble at one end of a cladding tube in the first region or the target region, and positioning the cladding tube with the first end cap structure in the target region; controlling the feeding of fuel pellets into an opening at the other end of the cladding tube; controlling a second assembly structure to provide a force opposite to the first direction to a second end cap structure in the second region to push the second end cap structure to assemble at the other end of the cladding tube; controlling the movement of the first part and the second part to disconnect the connection between the target region and the first region and the second region; and controlling a thermal fusion structure to provide heat to the connection between the cladding tube and the first end cap structure and the second end cap structure to thermally fuse and fix the first end cap structure, the cladding tube, and the second end cap structure.

[0013] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0014] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0015] The nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment and method provided in this disclosure, through the above technical solution, include a supporting mechanism, an assembly mechanism, and a sealing mechanism. The supporting mechanism is sequentially provided with a first region, a target region, and a second region. The assembly mechanism includes a first assembly structure and a second assembly structure, corresponding to the first and second regions respectively. The first assembly structure can apply a force towards the second region to an object located in the first region, while the second assembly structure can apply a force towards the first region to an object located in the second region. The sealing mechanism has a cover over the target region, with a heat-fusion structure inside. The cover includes a movable first part and a movable second part, corresponding to the first and second regions respectively. Through adjustment, the first and second parts of the cover can connect the target region to either the first or second region. During operation, the cladding tube can be assembled with a first end cap structure sequentially in the first or target region by the first assembly structure, followed by the assembly of a second end cap structure in the target region by the second assembly structure. Finally, within the sealing space formed by the target region and the cover, the cladding tube is heat-fused and fixed using the heat-fusion structure. This enables the mechanized and continuous production of nuclear fuel cladding, which helps improve production efficiency and ensure consistent product quality.

[0016] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this disclosure. In order to better understand the technical means of this disclosure and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this disclosure or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment provided in this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment (the first part and the second part disconnect the target area from the first area and the second area) provided in this disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3This is a partial structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment (the first part and the second part connect the target area with the first area and the second area) provided in this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 A partial structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment provided in this disclosure. Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 5 A partial structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment provided in this disclosure. Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first support component of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment provided in this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment provided in this disclosure. Figure 3 ;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nuclear fuel cladding (before fabrication) provided in this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nuclear fuel cladding (after fabrication) provided in this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the method for fabricating nuclear fuel cladding provided in this disclosure.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 10. Nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment; 11. Supporting mechanism; 111. First area; 112. Target area; 113. Second area; 114. First support member; 1141. First rod; 115. Second support member; 116. Third support member; 117. Limiting groove; 118. Fixing groove; 12. Assembly mechanism; 121. First assembly structure; 1211. First robotic arm; 1212. First gripper; 122. Second assembly structure; 1221. Second robotic arm; 12 22. Second clamping claw; 13. Encapsulation mechanism; 131. Cover; 1311. First part; 1312. Second part; 132. Hot melt structure; 133. Encapsulation space; 14. Shell; 15. Limiting structure; 151. First clamping arm; 152. Second clamping arm; 20. Nuclear fuel cladding; 21. First end cap structure; 211. First end plug; 212. First preform; 22. Second end cap structure; 221. Second end plug; 222. Second preform; 23. Cladding tube. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of this disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of this disclosure by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0031] These embodiments are provided to make the disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of components and steps, material composition, numerical expressions, and values ​​set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as exemplary only and not as limiting.

[0032] It should be noted that, in the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this disclosure and simplifying 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this disclosure. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the permissible margin of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the permissible margin of error. Terms such as "including" or "contains" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after the word, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well.

[0034] It should also be noted that, in the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure depending on the specific circumstances. When a particular device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the particular device and the first or second device.

[0035] All terms used in this disclosure have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0036] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0037] During the nuclear fuel cladding process, after the fuel pellets are loaded into the cladding tube, the openings at both ends of the cladding tube need to be sealed by end plug structures to form a complete nuclear fuel cladding.

[0038] In related technologies, the production of nuclear fuel cladding requires multiple steps on multiple devices, resulting in low mechanization and low production efficiency.

[0039] The inventors of this disclosure have discovered a nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus and method. The nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus may include a supporting mechanism, an assembly mechanism, and a sealing mechanism. The supporting mechanism is sequentially provided with a first region, a target region, and a second region. The first assembly structure and the second assembly structure of the assembly mechanism correspond to the first region and the second region, respectively. The first assembly structure can provide a force to an object in the first region that approaches the second region, and the second assembly structure can provide a force to an object in the second region that approaches the first region. The sealing mechanism includes a cover over the target region and a heat-fused structure located within the cover. The first part of the cover corresponding to the first region and the second part corresponding to the second region are movable relative to the cover, so that the target region communicates with the first region and the second region, respectively. One method of using this nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus is as follows: First, in the target region communicating with the first region and the second region, respectively... In this case, the first assembly structure provides a force to the first end cap structure in the first region, close to the second region, to push the first end cap structure to assemble at one end of the cladding tube in the first region or the target region, and to position the cladding tube with the first end cap structure in the target region; then, while the target region continues to be connected to the first region and the second region respectively, fuel pellets are fed into the opening at the other end of the cladding tube, and the second assembly structure provides a force to the second end cap structure in the second region, close to the first region, to push the second end cap structure to assemble at the other end of the cladding tube; finally, the first part and the second part are moved to disconnect the connection between the target region and the first region and the second region, and then the heat-melting structure provides heat to the connection between the cladding tube and the first end cap structure and the second end cap structure respectively, so that the connection between the first end cap structure and the cladding tube, and the connection between the cladding tube and the second end cap structure are heat-melted and fixedly connected. The first end cap structure, cladding tube, and second end cap structure can be placed on a support mechanism using a robotic arm. The operation of feeding fuel pellets into the other end opening of the cladding tube can be accomplished by a movable device. The movable device moves the fuel pellets to the other end opening of the cladding tube and feeds them in, then removes them from the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment to minimize interference with subsequent nuclear fuel cladding processes. Thus, through the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment and its operating method, integrated mechanized fabrication of nuclear fuel cladding can be achieved, improving overall production efficiency and product quality consistency.

[0040] First aspect

[0041] This disclosure provides a nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus 10, see [link to relevant documentation] Figures 1 to 10The nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 may include: a supporting mechanism 11, an assembly mechanism 12, and a sealing mechanism 13. The supporting mechanism 11 has a first region 111, a target region 112, and a second region 113 distributed along a first direction. The assembly mechanism 12 may include: a first assembly structure 121 and a second assembly structure 122, which are distributed along the first direction. The first assembly structure 121 is used to provide a force along the first direction to the object in the first region 111, and the second assembly structure 122 is used to provide a force along the first direction to the object in the second region 113. The body provides a force opposite to the first direction; the encapsulation mechanism 13 may include: a cover 131 and a heat-fusion structure 132. The cover 131 covers the target area 112 and cooperates with the target area 112 to form an encapsulation space 133. The first part 1311 and the second part 1312 of the cover 131 distributed along the first direction can move relative to the cover 131 respectively, so that the first area 111, the target area 112 and the second area 113 are connected. The heat-fusion structure 132 is disposed in the encapsulation space 133 and is used to deliver heat to both ends of the encapsulation space 133 along the first direction.

[0042] The support structure 11 is at least used as a fabrication platform for forming the nuclear fuel cladding 20. The support structure 11 may include a support along a first direction (e.g., Figure 1 The first region 111, the target region 112, and the second region 113 (shown in the X direction) are sequentially distributed, and are on the same plane. The first region 111 and the second region 113 can be symmetrically arranged about the target region 112. The first region 111 can form the first end cap structure 21 and the cladding tube 23 (which can be SiC) of the nuclear fuel cladding 20. f The connection area between the openings at one end of the tube structure (or a tube structure made of SiC material) and the other end of the nuclear fuel cladding 20 can be formed in the second region 113. The support mechanism 11 can be set inside the shell 14 with an inlet and outlet, so that the support mechanism 11 can be physically protected by the shell 14. The inlet and outlet can allow the unassembled first end cap structure 21, second end cap structure 22 and cladding tube 23 to be sent into the shell 14, and can also allow the assembled nuclear fuel cladding 20 to be sent out from the shell 14.

[0043] Assembly mechanism 12 is used at least to assemble the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22 to the two end openings of the cladding tube 23, respectively. Assembly mechanism 12 may include: a first assembly structure 121 and a second assembly structure 122. The first assembly structure 121 is used to assemble the first end cap structure 21 to one end opening of the cladding tube 23, and the second assembly structure 122 is used to assemble the second end cap structure 22 to the other end opening of the cladding tube 23. The first assembly structure 121 and the second assembly structure 122 may be symmetrically arranged at both ends of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 along a first direction. The first assembly structure 121 may include: a first robotic arm 1211 disposed on the first inner wall of the housing 14 and a first gripping claw 1212 connected to the end of the first robotic arm 1211 away from the first inner wall. The end of the first robotic arm 1211 away from the first inner wall can be positioned in a mutually perpendicular first direction (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (in the X direction), the second direction (such as) Figure 1 (in the Y direction) and third-party upward activities (such as Figure 1 In the Z direction, when the first robotic arm 1211 moves in the X direction, the first gripper 1212 can provide a force along the first direction to the first end cap structure 21; when moving in the Z direction, the first gripper 1212 can clamp the first end cap structure 21 or the casing tube 23 outside the first region 111 onto the first region 111; when moving in the Y direction, the first gripper 1212 can clamp the first end cap structure 21 or the casing tube 23 with different radial dimensions; the second assembly structure 122 may include: a second robotic arm 1221 disposed on the second inner wall of the housing 14 (opposite to the first inner wall) and a second gripper 1222 connected to the end of the second robotic arm 1221 away from the second inner wall, the end of the second robotic arm 1221 away from the second inner wall can be in a mutually perpendicular fourth direction (opposite to the X direction), a second direction (such as Figure 1 (in the Y direction) and third-party upward activities (such as Figure 1 In the Z direction, when the second robotic arm 1221 moves in the fourth direction, the second gripper 1222 can provide a force opposite to that in the first direction to the second end cap structure 22; when moving in the Z direction, the second gripper 1222 can clamp the second end cap structure 22 outside the second region 113 onto the second region 113; when moving in the Y direction, the second gripper 1222 can clamp the second end cap structure 22 with different radial dimensions.

[0044] The encapsulation mechanism 13 is used at least to deliver high temperatures to the connection points of the first end cap structure 21 and the cladding tube 23, and the second end cap structure 22 and the cladding tube 23, so that the connections are thermally fused together to form the finished nuclear fuel cladding 20. The encapsulation mechanism 13 may include a cover 131 and a thermal fusion structure 132. The cover 131 is placed over the target area 112 to form an encapsulation space 133 in cooperation with the target area 112. The thermal fusion process is carried out in the encapsulation space 133 to reduce heat leakage. The thermal fusion structure 132 may be integrated into the inner wall of the cover 131 or into the target area 112. Since the thermal fusion structure 132 provides high temperatures, the structures in the high-temperature affected areas (such as the cover 131 and the target area 112) are made of recrystallized silicon carbide, high-strength graphite, tungsten metal, or other high-temperature resistant materials to improve the structural stability of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 during operation and extend its lifespan. The first part 1311 and the second part 1312 of the cover 131 can move relative to the cover 131 respectively. Their movement can be controlled by a control system to achieve automated settings. For example, the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 are hinged to the cover 131 respectively, so that the target area 112 can be connected to or not connected to the first area 111 and the second area 113 during rotation. When connected, objects in the first area 111 can move to the target area 112, and objects in the target area 112 can move to the second area 113; when not connected, objects in the first area 111... The object is blocked by the first part 1311 and cannot move to the target area 112, and the object in the target area 112 is blocked by the second part 1312 and cannot move to the second area 113. The first part 1311 and the second part 1312 can rotate by the pushing and pulling of the first robotic arm 1211 and the second robotic arm 1221, respectively. The first robotic arm 1211 and the second robotic arm 1221 are connected to a control system to automatically control the movement of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312. The side of the first part 1311 facing away from the second part 1312 can be provided with a ring or other structural component that can be gripped by the first gripping claw 1212, so that after being gripped by the first gripping claw 1212, the first part 1311 can rotate through the movement of the first robotic arm 1211. The second part 1312 can be configured similarly to the first part 1311, and will not be described further here.

[0045] See one example. Figure 1The nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 may include: a supporting mechanism 11, an assembly mechanism 12, and a packaging mechanism 13. The supporting mechanism 11 has a first region 111, a target region 112, and a second region 113 distributed along a first direction, which is a horizontal direction, and the first region 111, the target region 112, and the second region 113 are in the same horizontal plane. The assembly mechanism 12 may include: a first assembly structure 121 and a second assembly structure 122, which are distributed along the first direction. The first assembly structure 121 is used to provide a force along the first direction to the object in the first region 111. The second assembly structure 122 is used to provide a force opposite to the first direction to the object in the second region 113; the encapsulation mechanism 13 may include: a cover 131 and a heat-fusion structure 132. The cover 131 is placed over the target region 112 and cooperates with the target region 112 to form an encapsulation space 133. The first part 1311 and the second part 1312 of the cover 131 distributed along the first direction can move relative to the cover 131 respectively, so that the first region 111, the target region 112 and the second region 113 are connected. The heat-fusion structure 132 is disposed in the encapsulation space 133 and is used to synchronously transfer heat to both ends of the encapsulation space 133 along the first direction. One working step of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 is as follows:

[0046] S101: Control the activity of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to connect the first area 111, the target area 112 and the second area 113;

[0047] S102: Control the first assembly structure 121 to provide a force along the first direction to the first end cap structure 21 on the first region 111, so as to push the first end cap structure 21 to assemble one end of the casing tube 23 in the first region 111 or the target region 112, and when the casing tube 23 is in the first region 111, the first assembly structure 121 pushes the casing tube 23 connected to the first end cap structure 21 to move to the target region 112 again; here, the axial direction of the casing tube 23 is consistent with the first direction;

[0048] S103: Control the external equipment or the fuel supply mechanism on the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 to feed fuel pellets into the opening at the other end of the cladding tube 23;

[0049] S104: Control the second assembly structure 122 to provide a force opposite to the first direction to the second end cap structure 22 in the second region 113, so as to push the second end cap structure 22 to be assembled at the other end of the casing tube 23;

[0050] S105: Control the activity of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to disconnect the connection between the target area 112 and the first area 111 and the second area 113;

[0051] S106: Control the hot-melt structure 132 to provide heat to the connection between the casing tube 23 and the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22, so that the first end cap structure 21, the casing tube 23 and the second end cap structure 22 are hot-melted and fixedly connected.

[0052] S107: Control the first region 111, the target region 112 and the second region 113 to reconnect, and push the first assembly structure 121 along the first direction or push the second assembly structure 122 in the opposite direction to the first direction so that the completed nuclear fuel cladding 20 is located in the first region 111 or the second region 113, and can then be removed by external equipment.

[0053] Here, during the process of assembling the first end cap structure 21 by the first assembly structure 121, the other end of the casing tube 23 can be abutted by the second assembly structure 122; while during the process of assembling the second end cap structure 22 by the second assembly structure 122, the first assembly structure 121 can abut against one end of the casing tube 23; thus, the probability of displacement of the casing tube 23 during the assembly of the end cap can be reduced.

[0054] In this embodiment, the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 may include a support mechanism 11, an assembly mechanism 12, and a packaging mechanism 13. The support mechanism 11 is sequentially provided with a first region 111, a target region 112, and a second region 113. The first assembly structure 121 and the second assembly structure 122 of the assembly mechanism 12 correspond to the first region 111 and the second region 113, respectively. The first assembly structure 121 can provide a force to an object in the first region 111 that approaches the second region 113, and the second assembly structure 122 can provide a force to an object in the second region 113 that approaches the first region 111. The packaging mechanism 13 includes a cover 131 covering the target region 112 and a heat-fused structure 132 located inside the cover 131. The first part 1311 of the cover 131 corresponding to the first region 111 and the second part 1312 corresponding to the second region 113 can move relative to the cover 131 so that the target region 112 communicates with the first region 111 and the second region 113, respectively. The cladding tube 23 can be assembled in a streamlined process using the first assembly structure 121 in the first region 111 or the target region 112, and the second end cap structure 22 can be assembled using the second assembly structure 122 in the target region 112. Finally, it can be fixed by heat fusion using the heat fusion structure 132 within the encapsulation space 133 formed by the cooperation between the target region 112 and the cladding body 131. In this way, the mechanized manufacturing of nuclear fuel cladding 20 can be realized, and the overall production efficiency and product quality consistency of nuclear fuel cladding 20 can be improved.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first part 1311 may include: a first sub-part, a second sub-part, and a first elastic structure located between the first sub-part and the second sub-part, the second sub-part being opposite to the encapsulation space 133; the second part 1312 may include: a third sub-part, a fourth sub-part, and a second elastic structure located between the third sub-part and the fourth sub-part, the third sub-part being opposite to the encapsulation space 133; thus, in S105, during the process of controlling the movement of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to break the through relationship between the target region 112 and the first region 111 and the second region 113, the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22 respectively abut against the second sub-part and the third sub-part to respectively squeeze the corresponding first elastic structure and the second elastic structure, thereby achieving a more stable clamping of the first end cap structure 21, the casing tube 23, and the second end cap structure 22 during the hot-melt process, and supporting different length limits.

[0056] In some embodiments, see Figures 2 to 5 The supporting mechanism 11 includes: a first supporting member 114, a second supporting member 115, and a third supporting member 116 distributed along a first direction. The first supporting member 114, the second supporting member 115, and the third supporting member 116 respectively have a first region 111, a third region, and a second region 113. The third region can reciprocate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and coincide with the target region 112 to form the target region 112. The cover 131 is connected to the first supporting member 114 and the third supporting member 116. The nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 also includes: a driving mechanism connected to the second supporting member 115 and used to provide a first driving force to the second supporting member 115 so that the second supporting member 115 reciprocates in the second direction.

[0057] The first bearing member 114, the second bearing member 115, and the third bearing member 116 are along the first direction (e.g., Figure 1 As shown in the diagram (from left to right), the first support member 114 has a first region 111 (such as the upper surface of the first support member 114), the third support member 116 has a second region 113 (such as the upper surface of the third support member 116), and the second support member 115 has a third region (such as the upper surface of the second support member 115). The second support member 115 can move between the first support member 114 and the third support member 116 (such as moving up and down), and make the third region on the second support member 115 coincide with the target region 112 to form the target region 112.

[0058] The cover 131 can be fixed relative to the first support member 114 and the third support member 116. That is, during the movement of the second support member 115, the position of the cover 131 remains unchanged and is opposite to the third region. When the third region coincides with the target region 112, the cover 131 can cooperate to form an encapsulation space 133. The cover 131 can also be provided with through holes, which can be used to inject inert protective gases such as helium and argon into the encapsulation space 133 to reduce the occurrence of defects such as oxidation and impurity doping in the finished nuclear fuel cladding 20.

[0059] The drive mechanism is capable of providing a first driving force to the second support member 115, causing the second support member 115 to move up and down, and causing the third region to coincide with the target region 112 to form the target region 112, or causing the third region to be misaligned from the target region 112 to move away from the target region 112. The drive mechanism can be an existing transmission structure such as a gear and rack transmission structure or a cylinder transmission structure, which will not be described in detail here.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first region 111, the target region 112, and the second region 113 are respectively disposed on the first support member 114, the second support member 115, and the third support member 116, so that the second support member 115 can be driven independently, so that the third region of the second support member 115 does not coincide with the target region 112 (e.g., it is located below the first support member 114 and the third support member 116). Then, the casing tube 23 can be placed in the third region, and through the drive mechanism, the third region where the casing tube 23 is placed coincides with the target region 112, so that the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22 can be further assembled through the first assembly structure 121 and the second assembly structure 122, respectively. In addition, the cover 131 is connected to the first support member 114 and the third support member 116, so that the cover 131 does not need to be driven to move during the process of the drive mechanism driving the second support member 115, thereby reducing the first driving force of the drive mechanism.

[0061] In some embodiments, the driving mechanism may include a first driving part and a second driving part, which are arranged along a first direction and can be connected to the two ends of the second support member 115 along the first direction, respectively, so as to provide the second support member 115 with a force in a second direction. After the first driving part and the second driving part drive synchronously in the same direction and at the same speed, the movement of the second support member 115 in the second direction or in the opposite direction can be realized. Furthermore, before the fuel pellet is fed into the other end opening of the casing tube 23, the end of the target region 112 corresponding to the second region 113 can be driven by the second drive unit near the second region 113 to make the end of the target region 112 corresponding to the second region 113 higher than the end of the first region 111, and the end of the casing tube 23 into which the fuel pellet is to be fed is higher than the end closed by the first end cap structure 21. In this way, the fed fuel pellet can smoothly slide into the casing tube 23 under the action of gravity, and then be driven by the direction of the second drive unit to make the end of the target region 112 corresponding to the second region 113 flush with the end of the first region 111. The structures of the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be the same or different. For example, both the first drive unit and the second drive unit adopt a cylinder transmission structure.

[0062] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Multiple second carrier members 115 are arranged along a second direction; the drive mechanism is also used to provide a first driving force to the multiple second carrier members 115 in sequence so that the third regions of the different second carrier members 115 form the target region 112.

[0063] In other words, the driving mechanism can sequentially provide a first driving force to multiple second carriers 115, so that the third regions of the multiple second carriers 115 sequentially overlap with the target region 112. For example, multiple second carriers 115 are distributed from top to bottom. After the driving mechanism sequentially provides the first driving force to multiple second carriers 115, the multiple second carriers 115 rise sequentially and pass through the target region 112 sequentially to form the target region 112, and then are sequentially located inside the enclosure 131. In this way, the cladding tube 23 is placed on each second carrier 115 and the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22 are assembled sequentially. Furthermore, the cladding tube 23 on multiple second carriers 115 inside the enclosure 131 can be simultaneously heat-fused to the corresponding first end cap structure 21 and second end cap structure 22 through the heat fusion structure 132, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the nuclear fuel cladding 20. Here, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the heat-melting structure 132 can be set on the inner walls of both sides of the cover 131 extending along the first direction, and has the same high-temperature output port at the connection points of the two ends of the shell tube 23 on each second support member 115. In this way, the shell tubes 23 on different second support members 115 can receive heat that tends to be consistent.

[0064] In some embodiments, when the drive mechanism sequentially provides a first driving force to a plurality of second carrier members 115, the distance between two adjacent second carrier members 115 is equal to the outer diameter of the casing tube 23. In this way, two adjacent second carrier members 115 can limit the casing tube 23 between them in the second direction, so as to reduce the displacement of the casing tube 23 and thus make the hot-melt position more accurate.

[0065] In some embodiments, see Figures 1 to 4 The support mechanism 11 may also include a fixing groove 118 extending along a first direction. The first support member 114 and the third support member 116 are fixedly connected to the fixing groove 118. A plurality of second support members 115 may be stacked in the fixing groove 118 to improve the integration of the support mechanism 11.

[0066] In some embodiments, see Figures 1 to 6 In the first region 111, the target region 112 and the second region 113, any region is provided with a limiting groove 117 extending along the first direction, and the width of the limiting groove 117 matches the outer diameter of the casing tube 23.

[0067] In other words, when the casing tube 23 is in the first region 111, the target region 112, and the second region 113, it can be located within the limiting groove 117 and limited by the limiting groove 117, so as to reduce the probability of the casing tube 23 displacing in the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. When it is in the target region 112, the cooperation of the two adjacent second bearing members 115 and the limiting groove 117 can fix the casing tube 23 located in the target region 112 relatively in the second and third directions, so as to further reduce the displacement of the casing tube 23 and further make the hot melt position more accurate.

[0068] For example, see Figures 1 to 5 The first support member 114 may include a plurality of parallel and oppositely arranged first rods 1141, each first rod 1141 extending along a first direction, and there is a gap between adjacent first rods 1141 to form a limiting groove 117 between adjacent first rods 1141; for example: see Figure 6The first region 111 of the first support member 114 may be provided with a plurality of parallel and oppositely arranged limiting grooves 117, each limiting groove 117 extending along a first direction, and the outline of each limiting groove 117 being consistent with the outline of the outer surface of the casing tube 23. Here, the second support member 115 and the third support member 116 may refer to the arrangement of the first support member 114 to form the limiting grooves 117, which will not be described in detail here.

[0069] It should be noted that the limiting grooves 117 of the first bearing member 114, the second bearing member 115, and the third bearing member 116 are axially aligned so that the casing tube 23 can enter the limiting groove 117 of the second bearing member 115 along the limiting groove 117 of the first bearing member 114, or enter the limiting groove 117 of the first bearing member 114 along the limiting groove 117 of the second bearing member 115, or enter the limiting groove 117 of the third bearing member 116 along the limiting groove 117 of the third bearing member 116, or enter the limiting groove 117 of the second bearing member 115 along the limiting groove 117 of the third bearing member 116.

[0070] In some embodiments, the distance between the first portion 1311 and the second portion 1312 can be equal to the axial length of the casing tube 23 after it is connected with the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22, so as to limit the axial direction of the casing tube 23 by the first portion 1311 and the second portion 1312, so as to further reduce the probability of the casing tube 23 being displaced in the first direction during the hot-melting process in the target area 112, and further make the hot-melting position more accurate.

[0071] In some embodiments, see Figure 7 The supporting mechanism 11 may further include a limiting structure 15, which is used to releasably limit the position of the casing tube 23 of the first region 111 and / or the target region 112.

[0072] The limiting structure 15 may include a first clamping arm 151 and a second clamping arm 152. The first clamping arm 151 and the second clamping arm 152 may be disposed on both sides of the first region 111 along the first direction, so as to be relatively close or far apart. When relatively close, they can clamp the casing tube 23 of the first region 111, so as to reduce the probability of displacement of the casing tube 23 during the process of the first assembly structure 121 assembling the first end cap structure 21 to one end opening of the casing tube 23. At this time, the second assembly structure 122 can also abut against the other end of the casing tube 23 of the first region 111 to further reduce the probability of displacement of the casing tube 23.

[0073] The limiting structure 15 may further include a third clamping arm (referring to the structure of the first clamping arm 151) and a fourth clamping arm (referring to the structure of the second clamping arm 152). The third and fourth clamping arms can be disposed on the inner top wall of the enclosure 131, relatively close to or far from each other. When relatively close, they can clamp the cladding tube 23 of the target area 112 to reduce the probability of displacement of the cladding tube 23 during the heat-melting process. With the limiting structure 15 provided with the third and fourth clamping arms, one operating step of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 is as follows:

[0074] S201: Control the movement of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to connect the first region 111, the target region 112 and the second region 113. The third clamping arm and the fourth clamping arm clamp the casing tube 23 on the target region 112. Here, the axial direction of the casing tube 23 in the target region 112 is consistent with the first direction.

[0075] S202: Control the first assembly structure 121 to provide a force along the first direction to the first end cap structure 21 on the first region 111, so as to push the first end cap to be assembled at one end of the casing tube 23 in the target region 112;

[0076] S203: Control the external equipment or the fuel supply mechanism on the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment 10 to feed fuel pellets into the opening at the other end of the cladding tube 23;

[0077] S204: Control the second assembly structure 122 to provide a force opposite to the first direction to the second end cap structure 22 of the second region 113, so as to push the second end cap to be assembled at the other end of the casing tube 23;

[0078] S205: Control the activity of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to disconnect the connection between the target area 112 and the first area 111 and the second area 113;

[0079] S206: Control the hot-melt structure 132 to provide heat to the connection between the casing tube 23 and the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22, so that the first end cap structure 21, the casing tube 23 and the second end cap structure 22 are hot-melted and fixedly connected.

[0080] S207: Control the first region 111, target region 112 and second region 113 to reconnect, release the clamping of the third clamping wall and the fourth clamping arm on the cladding tube 23, and push the first assembly structure 121 along the first direction or push the second assembly structure 122 in the opposite direction to the first direction so that the completed nuclear fuel cladding 20 is located in the first region 111 or the second region 113, and can then be removed by external equipment.

[0081] In some embodiments, the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication apparatus 10 may further include a cooling mechanism disposed adjacent to the cladding space 133 and used to reduce the temperature of the cladding space 133 to a target temperature.

[0082] The cooling mechanism can be embedded between the inner and outer surfaces of the cover 131, or it can be set on the outer surface of the cover 131 or the inner surface of the cover 131. The cooling mechanism can include a fluid channel and an inlet and outlet connected to the fluid channel. In this way, fluid can be injected into the inlet and outlet. During the flow of the fluid in the fluid channel, the encapsulation space 133 can be cooled.

[0083] The equipment for injecting fluid into the inlet and outlet can be connected to a control system. After the hot-melting process is completed, the system can control the injection of fluid into the inlet and outlet to achieve automated cooling control. Whether the hot-melting process has ended can be determined by counting down the required hot-melting time for different specifications (such as diameter, thickness, etc.) of the cladding tube 23.

[0084] In this embodiment, the temperature of the encapsulation space 133 can be reduced to a temperature that external equipment capable of handling the completed nuclear fuel cladding 20 can withstand through the cooling control of the cooling mechanism, thereby reducing the need for high-temperature materials in external equipment and thus reducing restrictions on external equipment.

[0085] Second aspect

[0086] This disclosure provides a method for manufacturing nuclear fuel cladding 20, applicable to the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing apparatus 10 of any embodiment of the first aspect, see [link to previous section]. Figure 10 The method for manufacturing nuclear fuel cladding 20 includes:

[0087] S301: Control the activity of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to connect the first area 111, the target area 112 and the second area 113;

[0088] S302: Control the first assembly structure 121 to provide a force along the first direction to the first end cap structure 21 on the first region 111, so as to push the first end cap structure 21 to assemble one end of the casing tube 23 in the first region 111 or the target region 112, and to place the casing tube 23 equipped with the first end cap structure 21 in the target region 112.

[0089] S303: Control the feeding of fuel pellets into the opening at the other end of the cladding tube 23;

[0090] S304: Control the second assembly structure 122 to provide a force opposite to the first direction to the second end cap structure 22 of the second region 113, so as to push the second end cap to be assembled at the other end of the casing tube 23;

[0091] S305: Control the activity of the first part 1311 and the second part 1312 to disconnect the connection between the target area 112 and the first area 111 and the second area 113;

[0092] S306: Control the heat-melting structure 132 to provide heat to the connection between the casing tube 23 and the first end cap structure 21 and the second end cap structure 22, so that the first end cap structure 21, the casing tube 23 and the second end cap structure 22 are heat-melted and fixedly connected.

[0093] See here. Figure 8 and Figure 9 When the first end cap structure 21 includes a first end plug 211 and a first preform 212, the first assembly structure 121 can push the first preform 212 and the first end plug 211 in two separate steps. During the hot-melt process, the first preform 212 partially melts to connect with the first end plug 211 and the casing tube 23. Similarly, when the second end cap structure 22 includes a second end plug 221 and a second preform 222, the second assembly structure 122 can push the second preform 222 and the second end plug 221 in two separate steps. During the hot-melt process, the second preform 222 partially melts to connect with the second end plug 221 and the casing tube 23.

[0094] It should be noted that the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment in the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication method provided in this disclosure is similar to the description of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment embodiments described above, and has similar beneficial effects as the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment embodiments described above. For technical details not disclosed in the embodiments of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication method of this disclosure, please refer to the description of the nuclear fuel cladding fabrication equipment embodiments of this disclosure for understanding, and will not be repeated here.

[0095] Third aspect

[0096] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the second aspect of the method.

[0097] It should be noted that the method for manufacturing nuclear fuel cladding in the computer-readable storage medium provided in this disclosure is similar to the description of the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing method embodiments described above, and has similar beneficial effects as the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing method embodiments described above. For technical details not disclosed in the computer-readable storage medium embodiments of this disclosure, please refer to the description of the nuclear fuel cladding manufacturing method embodiments of this disclosure for understanding, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] Fourth aspect

[0099] This disclosure provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the second aspect of the method.

[0100] It should be noted that the method for manufacturing the casing tube in the computer program product provided in this disclosure is similar to the description of the casing tube manufacturing method embodiments described above, and has similar beneficial effects as the casing tube manufacturing method embodiments described above. For technical details not disclosed in the embodiments of the computer program product of this disclosure, please refer to the description of the casing tube manufacturing method embodiments in this disclosure for understanding, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] The embodiments of this disclosure have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0102] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner.

Claims

1. A nuclear fuel cladding production apparatus characterized by comprising: The device comprises: a bearing mechanism provided with a first region, a target region and a second region distributed along a first direction; an assembling mechanism comprising a first assembling structure and a second assembling structure distributed along the first direction, the first assembling structure being configured to provide an object in the first region with an acting force along the first direction, and the second assembling structure being configured to provide an object in the second region with an acting force opposite to the first direction; an encapsulating mechanism comprising a cover and a hot-melt structure, the cover being arranged in the target region and cooperating with the target region to form an encapsulating space, and a first part and a second part of the cover distributed along the first direction being movable relative to the cover respectively to make the first region, the target region and the second region through.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the bearing mechanism comprises a first bearing member, a second bearing member and a third bearing member distributed along the first direction, the first bearing member, the second bearing member and the third bearing member corresponding to the first region, a third region and the second region respectively, the third region being movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and coinciding with the target region to form the target region; the cover is connected with the first bearing member and the third bearing member; and the device further comprises a driving mechanism connected with the second bearing member and configured to provide the second bearing member with a first driving force to make the second bearing member movable in the second direction.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: a plurality of the second bearing members are arranged along the second direction; and the driving mechanism is further configured to provide the plurality of the second bearing members with the first driving force in sequence to make the third regions of different second bearing members form the target region.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: when the driving mechanism provides the plurality of the second bearing members with the first driving force in sequence, a spacing distance between adjacent second bearing members is equal to an outer diameter of a cladding tube.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: any one of the first region, the target region and the second region is provided with a limiting groove extending along the first direction, and a width of the limiting groove matches the outer diameter of the cladding tube.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the bearing mechanism further comprises a limiting structure configured to releasably limit a position of the cladding tube in the first region and / or the target region.

7. The nuclear fuel cladding production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The device further comprises: a cooling mechanism arranged adjacent to the encapsulating space and configured to reduce a temperature of the encapsulating space to a target temperature.

8. A nuclear fuel cladding production method applied to the nuclear fuel cladding production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, The method comprises: controlling the first part and the second part to be active to pass through the first region, the target region and the second region; controlling the first assembly structure to provide a force in a first direction to a first end cover structure on the first region to push the first end cover structure to be assembled on one end of a cladding tube in the first region or the target region, and to make the cladding tube with the first end cover structure assembled to be located in the target region; controlling to send fuel pellets into an opening of the other end of the cladding tube; controlling the second assembly structure to provide a force opposite to the first direction to a second end cover structure of the second region to push the second end cover structure to be assembled on the other end of the cladding tube; controlling the first part and the second part to be active to disconnect the passing through relationship between the target region and the first region and the second region; controlling the heat melting structure to provide heat to a connection between the cladding tube and the first end cover structure and the second end cover structure to make the first end cover structure, the cladding tube and the second end cover structure to be heat melted and fixedly connected.

9. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to realize the steps of the method in claim 8.

10. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to realize the steps of the method in claim 8.

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