Cladding tube coating equipment

Abstract

To provide a cladding tube coating apparatus that is capable of increasing cladding tube coating efficiency, reducing variations in coating thickness in longitudinal and circumferential directions, and improving the coating speed.SOLUTION: A cladding tube coating apparatus 10 includes a chamber unit 12 configured to create a zirconium alloy coating environment using arc ion plating, a rotation support portion 100 provided in the chamber unit to accommodate a plurality of cladding tubes 20, which are coating objects, and a target portion 14 provided in the chamber unit toward the plurality of cladding tubes accommodated in the rotation support portion and ionized as an oxidation-resistant material is melted and evaporated due to an arcing phenomenon, wherein the rotation support portion includes a plurality of rotary tables on which the plurality of cladding tubes are rotationally supported, supports the rotary tables so that the rotation speed of the plurality of cladding tubes is constant at a preset speed, and supports the rotary table to maintain the coating thickness uniformly in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the plurality of cladding tubes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] A cladding tube coating apparatus is provided. [Background technology]

[0002] Accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding tubes have been researched and developed to prevent hydrogen explosions by reducing the amount of hydrogen generated in high-temperature steam environments during nuclear power plant accidents. ATF cladding tubes must satisfy various performance requirements in extreme environments, including corrosion resistance, creep resistance, stability under irradiation deformation, and storage and disposal-related properties, while also focusing on improving oxidation resistance. Considering economic viability and early commercialization, accident-tolerant fuel cladding tubes are being developed worldwide by coating the surface of conventional zirconium (Zr) alloy cladding tubes with oxidation-resistant materials.

[0003] To this end, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is researching two methods: a surface treatment method using a 3D printing process on the surface of conventional zirconium alloy cladding tubes, and a coating method using arc ion plating (AIP) technology. The AIP method has been selected as a method for improving oxidation resistance by coating Cr and CrAl alloys without damaging the base material of commercial zirconium alloy cladding tubes, and commercialization technology development is underway.

[0004] However, the AIP process, which applies a coating layer to a zirconium alloy cladding tube, has limitations in the number of cladding tubes that can be loaded into the AIP equipment for coating. The cladding tube has dimensions of 9.5 cm in diameter, 0.57 cm thick, and 4 m long. When coating cladding tubes in the AIP equipment, the cladding tubes can be arranged either horizontally or vertically. The horizontal arrangement requires complex jigs when loading a large number of cladding tubes into the AIP equipment due to warping caused by the cladding tube's own weight, making it difficult to create conditions for interference-free loading. For this reason, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has been using a vertical cladding tube arrangement method in the AIP equipment since 2014 to perform Cr and CrAl alloy coating. However, there are limitations to the number of cladding tubes that can be coated at one time during AIP coating.

[0005] As a related prior art document, Korean Patent Publication No. 2020-0123656 discloses a "coating forming device for nuclear fuel cladding tubes." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 2020-0123656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of one embodiment is to provide a cladding tube coating apparatus that can increase coating efficiency by loading a large number of cladding tubes into an arc ion plating (AIP) equipment, minimize deviations in coating thickness in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the cladding tube, and increase the coating speed per unit time.

[0008] In addition to the above object, embodiments of the present invention can be used to achieve other objects not specifically mentioned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment, the cladding tube coating apparatus includes a chamber unit that creates a zirconium alloy coating environment using arc ion plating; a rotary support unit that is provided within the chamber unit and that accommodates a plurality of cladding tubes to be coated; and a target unit that is provided in the chamber unit facing the plurality of cladding tubes accommodated in the rotary support unit and that melts, vaporizes, and ionizes an oxidation-resistant material by arcing. The rotary support unit includes a plurality of turntables that rotate and support the plurality of cladding tubes, and supports the turntables so that the rotation speed of the plurality of cladding tubes is constant at a preset speed and so that the coating thickness of the plurality of cladding tubes is uniform in the longitudinal and circumferential directions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment, during a metal coating film deposition process using arc ion plating (AIP) equipment, a large number of cladding tubes are loaded to increase coating efficiency and form a uniform coating layer.

[0011] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the coating speed per unit time can be adjusted while maintaining a uniform coating thickness in the length direction and circumferential direction of the cladding tube.

[0012] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, an apparatus for coating nuclear fuel cladding tubes economically and with excellent quality can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a view showing a cladding tube coating apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a view illustrating a rotation support unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a view showing a separate and joined structure of a cladding tube according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a coating overlap region of a cladding tube according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts unnecessary for the explanation are omitted in order to clearly explain the present invention, and the same reference numerals are used throughout the specification for the same or similar components. Furthermore, in the case of well-known technologies, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0015] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean that it can further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0016] The cladding tube coating apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 illustrates a cladding tube coating apparatus according to an embodiment, Figure 2 illustrates a rotation support according to an embodiment, Figure 3 illustrates a cladding tube separation and coupling structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 4 illustrates a coating overlap region of a cladding tube according to an embodiment.

[0017] 1 to 4, a cladding tube coating apparatus 10 according to one embodiment includes a chamber unit 12, a rotary support unit 100, and a target unit 14. The cladding tube coating apparatus 10 can increase coating efficiency by loading multiple cladding tubes 20 into an arc ion plating (AIP) system. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the coating thickness deviation in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the cladding tube 20 is small, and the coating speed per unit time can be increased.

[0018] The chamber 12 can create a zirconium alloy coating environment using arc ion plating. The chamber 12 can be formed as a vacuum chamber. Referring to FIG. 1, the chamber 12 can include a target 14, a heater 16, a rotary support 100, and a cladding tube 20, which is the object to be coated. Within the chamber 12, the turntable and the cladding tube 20 included in the rotary support 100 rotate. As the turntable rotates toward and away from the target 14, the cladding tube 20 can be maintained in rotation so that the entire surface of the cladding tube 20 is coated. This increases the number of cladding tubes 20 that can be attached to the rotary support 100, allowing for mass attachment of cladding tubes 20.

[0019] The rotation support unit 100 is provided within the chamber unit 12 and can accommodate a plurality of cladding tubes 20, which are objects to be coated. The rotation support unit 100 can include a plurality of turntables that support the rotation of the plurality of cladding tubes 20. The rotation support unit 100 supports the plurality of cladding tubes 20 and the turntables so that the rotation speed of the plurality of cladding tubes 20 is constant at a preset speed. In addition, the rotation support unit 100 supports the plurality of cladding tubes 20 and the turntables so that the coating thickness of the plurality of cladding tubes 20 is maintained uniform in the length and circumferential directions.

[0020] The rotation support 100 may include a first rotation table 110 and a second rotation table 120 .

[0021] The first turntable 110 includes a lower portion formed in the shape of a disk of a predetermined first size. The first turntable 110 may have other shapes besides a disk shape, such as a polygonal plate shape. The upper portion of the first turntable 110 is connected to a first center shaft 112 in the height direction, forming a mounting space along the circumferential direction, and the first turntable 110 can rotate when an external force is transmitted.

[0022] The first turntable 110 may include an eleventh rotating plate 114 and a twelfth rotating plate 116. The eleventh rotating plate 114 is provided at the bottom of the first turntable 110 and may support the bottom of the first central shaft 112. The twelfth rotating plate 116 is provided at the top of the first turntable 110 and is provided on the eleventh rotating plate 114 and may support the top of the first central shaft 112. The twelfth rotating plate 116 may include shaft mounting grooves 118 spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction so that corresponding shafts can be mounted thereon.

[0023] The second turntable 120 includes a circular rotating plate that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the cladding tube 20 and maintains the cladding tube 20 in a stable state. The second turntable 120 may have other shapes, such as a polygonal plate, in addition to a circular plate. A plurality of cladding tubes 20 may be attached to the rotating plate. A plurality of second turntables 120 may be provided, allowing a greater number of cladding tubes 20 to be attached to each of the plurality of second turntables 120. If necessary, the second turntables 120 may be arranged to expand within the space of the rotary support 100. In this case, the space of the rotary support 100 can be expanded to fit the inner diameter of the chamber 12. The number of cladding tubes 20 that can be attached to the second turntable 120 may be limited depending on the size of the second turntable 120. By forming the second turntable 120 in a plate shape, a plurality of cladding tubes 20 can be attached to the second turntable 120. At least six cladding tubes 20 can be attached to one second turntable 120 along the circumferential direction. A plurality of second turntables 120 may be provided, and may be formed in a structure that allows the second turntables 120 to be mounted within a range where there is no interference between adjacent second turntables 120.

[0024] The second turntables 120 are provided in plurality along the circumferential direction of the first turntable 110 and include lower portions of a predetermined second size. The upper portions of the second turntables 120 are connected by a second central axis 122 in the height direction to form a space for mounting a plurality of cladding tubes 20 and can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first turntable 110. The first size of the first turntable 110 can be larger than the second size of the second turntable 120.

[0025] The second turntable 120 may include a 21st rotating plate 124 and a 22nd rotating plate 126. The 21st rotating plate 124 is provided at the bottom of the second turntable 120 and may support the bottom of the second central shaft 122. The 22nd rotating plate 126 is provided at the top of the second turntable 120 and is provided above the 21st rotating plate 124 and may support the top of the second central shaft 122. The 22nd rotating plate 126 may include cladding tube mounting grooves 128 spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction so that the corresponding cladding tubes 20 can be mounted and attached in a separate mounting structure.

[0026] The cladding tube mounting groove 128 may include an inlet groove 128a and a seating groove 128b. The inlet groove 128a is located on the circumferential surface of the 22nd rotating plate 126 and has an opening shape into which the cladding tube 20 is inserted. The seating groove 128b is located on the inner side of the 22nd rotating plate 126 and is positioned to connect to the inlet groove 128a, allowing the outer diameter of the cladding tube 20 to be inserted and supported in a seated state.

[0027] The rod-shaped cladding tube 20 can be formed to be separably coupled to the 22nd rotary plate 126 in a fitting structure.

[0028] The cladding tube 20 may be separately coupled to the cladding tube mounting groove 128 of the 22nd rotating plate 126. The cladding tube 20 may be attached to the cladding tube mounting groove 128 of the 22nd rotating plate 126 with separate fixing parts 150 at its upper and lower portions. The fixing parts 150 may be formed in the shape of fixing caps that are separately coupled to the upper and lower portions of the cladding tube 20 using a fitting structure. The fixing parts 150 may include a first fixing cap 152 having a first fixing groove 152a into which the upper portion of the cladding tube 20 is inserted, and a second fixing cap 154 ​​having a second fixing groove 154a into which the lower portion of the cladding tube 20 is inserted. The first fixing groove 152a may be formed in a circular, linear structure. The second fixing groove 154a may be formed in a structure that is inclined in a predetermined direction. The lower portion of the cladding tube 20 may be formed in an inclination corresponding to the inclined structure of the second fixing groove 154a. As described above, the lower portion of the cladding tube 20 is formed in an inclined structure and is inserted into the inclined second fixing groove 154a, thereby preventing rotation of the cladding tube 20 itself. The upper portion of the cladding tube 20 and the inside of the first fixing groove 152a are formed in a circular structure, and the lower portion of the cladding tube 20 and the inside of the second fixing groove 154a are formed in an inclined structure, thereby preventing rotation of the cladding tube 20.

[0029] The second central shaft 122 coupled to the second rotary table 120 may be separately coupled to the shaft mounting groove 118 of the twelfth rotary plate 116. The second central shaft 122 may be coupled to the upper and lower portions of the second central shaft 122 with separate fixing portions while attached to the shaft mounting groove 118 of the twelfth rotary plate 116. The fixing portions may be formed in the shape of fixing caps separately coupled to the upper and lower portions of the second central shaft 122 with a fitting structure. The fixing portions may include a first fixing cap having a first fixing groove into which the upper portion of the second central shaft 122 is inserted, and a second fixing cap having a second fixing groove into which the lower portion of the second central shaft 122 is inserted. The first fixing groove may be formed in a circular, linear structure. The second fixing groove may be formed in a structure inclined in a predetermined direction. The lower portion of the second central shaft 122 may be formed in an inclination corresponding to the inclined structure of the second fixing groove. As described above, the lower portion of the second central shaft 122 is formed in an inclined structure and is inserted into the inclined second fixing groove, thereby preventing rotation of the second central shaft 122 itself. The upper portion of the second central shaft 122 and the inside of the first fixing groove are formed in a circular structure, and the lower portion of the second central shaft 122 and the inside of the second fixing groove are formed in an inclined structure, thereby preventing rotation of the second central shaft 122.

[0030] The target units 14 are provided in the chamber unit 12 facing the multiple cladding tubes 20 housed in the rotary support unit 100. The oxidation-resistant material may melt, vaporize, and be ionized by arcing. The oxidation-resistant material may include Cr or a Cr alloy. The Cr alloy may include a Cr-based alloy, such as Cr-Al. A plurality of target units 14 may be provided along the height direction of the chamber unit 12. For example, a plurality of target units 14 may be provided along the height direction on each of the four sides (front, back, left, and right) of the chamber unit 12. Furthermore, a plurality of target units 14 may be arranged in the chamber unit 12, based on the circumferential direction of the rotary support unit 100. For example, the target units 14 may be arranged in four rows, each 90 degrees apart, based on the circumferential direction of the rotary support unit 100. By arranging one or two rows of target units in four rows, each 90 degrees apart, in the circumferential direction, the coating speed can be doubled compared to a two-row arrangement, thereby increasing the coating speed. In addition, the target sections 14 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern from the bottom surface, or in odd (0, 180 degrees) and even (90, 270 degrees) patterns so that they are at different heights in the circumferential direction. By arranging multiple target sections 14 in the circumferential direction, the coating efficiency per unit time can be improved. Furthermore, by arranging the target sections 14 at different heights from the bottom surface (zigzag, odd-even), thickness deviation in the longitudinal direction can be minimized.

[0031] Since each target section 14 has an area to be coated on the cladding tube 20, the upper and lower targets 14 can be arranged so that the overlapping area of ​​the coating material generated or emitted by them is 10% or more. The distance between adjacent targets 14 can be arranged so that the overlapping area of ​​the coating material on the cladding tube 20 is 10% or more. Since each target section 14 has an area to be coated on the cladding tube 20, by arranging the targets 14 so that the overlapping area of ​​the coating material generated by the upper and lower targets 14 is 10% or more, it is possible to obtain a coating layer of uniform thickness along the length of the 4-m-long cladding tube 20 and to increase the coating speed per unit time.

[0032] The rotation support unit 100 may further include a drive unit 130 and a power transmission unit 140 .

[0033] The driver 130 is provided on one side of the first turntable 110 and can generate a rotational driving force that is transmitted to the first turntable 110. The driver 130 can include a motor capable of controlling its rotational speed. A drive gear 130a that transmits power to the power transmission unit 140 can be provided on the drive shaft of the driver 130. The rotational speed of the cladding tube 20 can be controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the driver 130. For example, the rotational speeds of the driver 130 and the cladding tube 20 can be controlled to be the same. Furthermore, by adjusting the gear ratio of the power transmission unit 140, which transmits the rotational force generated by the driver 130 to the turntable, the rotational speed of the multiple cladding tubes 20 provided around the turntable can be constant and they can rotate continuously. By adjusting the gear ratios of the power transmission unit 140 connected to the driver 130 and the cladding tubes 20 connected to the power transmission unit 140, the rotational speed of the driver 130 and the rotational speed of the cladding tube 20 can be controlled to be 1:1. If the rotation speed of the cladding tube 20 is high, the coating efficiency decreases. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation speed of the driving unit 130 to adjust the rotation speed of the cladding tube 20, the coating efficiency of the cladding tube 20 can be increased. For this reason, uniform coating of the cladding tube 20 can be achieved.

[0034] The power transmission unit 140 is provided between the driver 130 and the first turntable 110, and between the first turntable 110 and the second turntable 120, and can transmit the rotational driving force of the driver 130. The power transmission unit 140 can include a first gear unit 142, a second gear unit 144, and a third gear unit 146. Because coating accumulates in a vacuum, the gear unit can be used preferentially to transmit the driving force of the turntable. Furthermore, because the rotational speed of the cladding tube 20 must be constant at each position, a reduction gear can be used to control the rotational speed as the rotation diameter increases.

[0035] The first gear unit 142 has a first gear ratio that reduces the rotational speed of the driver 130 and may be connected to the lower part of the first rotating table 110 via a shaft coupling. The first gear unit 142 may include an eleventh gear unit 142a and a twelfth gear unit 142b. The eleventh gear unit 142a is provided on the lower part of the first rotating table 110 and may be directly connected to the driver 130. The twelfth gear unit 142b has the same shape as the eleventh gear unit 142a and is provided on the upper part of the eleventh gear unit 142a at the lower part of the first rotating table 110 and is connected to a shaft concentric with the eleventh gear unit 142a, and may be directly connected to the second gear unit 144.

[0036] The second gear unit 144 has a second gear ratio that increases the rotational speed of the first gear unit 142 and may be connected to the second rotating table 120 via a shaft coupling. The second gear unit 144 may include a 21st gear unit 144a and a 22nd gear unit 144b. The 21st gear unit 144a may be provided on the lower side of the second rotating table 120 and directly connected to the 12th gear unit 142b. The 22nd gear unit 144b has a gear ratio that decreases the rotational speed of the 21st gear unit 144a and is provided on the upper side of the second rotating table 120 above the 21st gear unit 144a and connected to a shaft concentric with the 21st gear unit 144a and directly connected to the third gear unit 146.

[0037] The third gear unit 146 has a third gear ratio that reduces the rotational speed of the second gear unit 144, and may be connected to the periphery of the second gear unit 144 on the second turntable 120 by a shaft coupling. The third gear unit 146 may be provided at the bottom of the corresponding cladding tube 20.

[0038] As described above, the rotation of the driver 130 can be coupled to the rotation of the cladding tube 20 in a stepwise deceleration and acceleration relationship. The first rotation of the driver 130, then the second rotation of the first turntable 110 coupled to the driver 130, then the tertiary rotation of the second turntable 120 coupled to the first turntable 110, and then the quaternary rotation of the cladding tube 20 mounted on the second turntable 120 can be performed sequentially.

[0039] Here, all cladding tubes 20 must maintain electrical contact between the rotating table, the gear unit, and the part where the cladding tube 20 is attached so that a bias voltage can be applied during coating. The rotating table can be configured so that the cladding tubes 20 are loaded externally and attached to the mounting part at once using a snap-fit ​​method. The cladding tubes 20 must rotate so that they are coated evenly in the circumferential direction. The cladding tubes 20 rotate so that they are uniformly circumferentially directed toward the target unit 14, thereby achieving a coating of uniform thickness. The driving unit 130 and the power transmission unit 140 maintain gear units that allow the cladding tubes 20 to rotate continuously at a constant rotation speed, but the rotation speed must be controlled. A gear unit that controls the rotation speed of the cladding tube 20 is provided, and the rotation speed of the cladding tube 20 can be maintained continuously constant by adjusting the gear ratio of each.

[0040] If the cladding tube 20 is mounted away from the first central axis 112, which is the rotational center axis of the first turntable 110, the rotation speed of the first turntable 110 increases relatively at the position of the cladding tube 20, which hinders smooth coating of the cladding tube 20. If the diameter of the first turntable 110 increases, the amount of rotation increases compared to the rotation speed provided by the driver 130, which hinders smooth coating of the cladding tube 20. As a result, the time available for ions to attach is reduced, which may result in a thinner coating film and reduced coating efficiency.

[0041] To solve this problem, the driver 130 and the first turntable 110 may be connected via a first gear unit 142. In order to reduce the rotation speed as the rotation radius increases away from the driver 130, the first turntable 110 is connected via the first gear unit 142 having a first gear ratio. In this case, the reduction ratio between the driver 130 and the first gear unit 142 may be increased as the rotation radius of the first turntable 110 increases. The first turntable 110, connected to the driver 130 that rotates primarily, is reduced in speed via the first gear unit 142 and rotates secondarily.

[0042] The first turntable 110 and the second turntable 120, on which a number of cladding tubes 20 are mounted, are connected via a second gear unit 144. In order to increase the rotation speed of the second turntable 120 compared to the rotation speed of the first turntable 110, the second gear unit 144 is connected to the first turntable 110, having a second gear ratio.

[0043] In this case, the speed increase ratio between the first gear unit 142 and the second gear unit 144 may be reduced as the radius of the second turntable 120 increases. The second turntable 120, connected to the first turntable 110 that rotates secondarily, increases its speed through the second gear unit 144 and rotates thirdarily.

[0044] The second turntable 120 and the cladding tube 20 are connected via a third gear unit 146. In order to increase the rotation speed of the cladding tube 20 compared to the rotation speed of the second turntable 120, the third gear unit 146 is connected to them, having a third gear ratio.

[0045] At this time, the speed increase ratio between the second gear unit 144 and the third gear unit 146 may be decreased as the rotation radius of the cladding tube 20 increases on the second turntable 120. The cladding tube 20 connected to the second turntable 120, which rotates tertiarily, is accelerated through the third gear unit 146 and rotates quaternarily.

[0046] In cases where the second turntable 120 on which the cladding tube 20 is mounted is positioned in the middle of the first turntable 110, which is the main support, a corresponding reduction gear can be changed to match the rotation speed that changes depending on the mounting position of the cladding tube 20. The second turntable 120 and the cladding tube 20 can then be configured to rotate independently. For example, while the second turntable 120 rotates toward and away from the cladding tube 20 around the target section 14, the cladding tube 20 can also rotate on its own axis so that the entire surface of the cladding tube 20 is uniformly coated.

[0047] As described above, the cladding tube coating apparatus 10 according to one embodiment can load a large number of cladding tubes 20 during the deposition process of a metal coating film using arc ion plating (AIP) equipment, thereby increasing coating efficiency and providing a uniform coating layer. In one embodiment, a large number of cladding tubes 20 can be loaded into the arc ion plating (AIP) equipment, thereby increasing coating efficiency. Furthermore, during the deposition process of a metal coating film using the arc ion plating (AIP) equipment, a large number of cladding tubes 20 can be easily loaded, thereby increasing coating efficiency and providing a uniform coating layer for the loaded cladding tubes 20. While the arc ion plating (AIP) method is suitable for coating an oxidation-resistant material on an accident-resistant fuel cladding tube, if mass production is difficult, manufacturing costs increase and price competitiveness cannot be ensured. Therefore, the cladding tube coating apparatus 10 according to one embodiment can coat an oxidation-resistant material on a zirconium alloy cladding tube using an arc ion plating process within the limited space of the chamber unit 12 to increase the coating efficiency of the arc ion plating equipment. In this case, by forming a rotation support unit 100 that increases the number of cladding tubes 20 loaded and controlling the rotation of the cladding tube 20, the coating thickness can be maintained uniformly in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the cladding tube 20, and the coating speed per unit time can be adjusted.

[0048] In the deposition process of oxidation-resistant materials for accident-resistant fuel cladding using an arc ion plating method, unless the coating efficiency is increased, the increased cost of the coating makes it difficult to ensure economic viability. Therefore, in one embodiment, in the development of a coating technology using zirconium alloy arc ion plating technology, the coating speed can be increased while increasing the loading amount of cladding tube 20, as well as improving the uniformity of the coating layer. Currently, accident-resistant fuel is a core technology that must be applied to all operating nuclear power plants in the future, according to the EU taxonomy standard that requires the use of accident-resistant fuel in nuclear power plants operating after 2025. Therefore, the application of accident-resistant fuel cladding is inevitable in operating nuclear power plants. One embodiment is a core technology that can economically manufacture accident-resistant fuel cladding with high quality, and is expected to not only improve the safety of operating nuclear power plants but also provide significant economic benefits through the possession of this technology.

[0049] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10: Cladding tube coating equipment 12: Chamber section 14: Target section 20: Cladding tube 100: Rotation support part 110: First turntable 120: 2nd turntable

Claims

1. A chamber that uses arc ion plating to create an environment for coating with oxidation-resistant materials. a rotation support unit provided in the chamber unit and configured to accommodate a plurality of cladding tubes to be coated; and a target section provided in the chamber section facing the plurality of cladding tubes accommodated in the rotary support section, in which an oxidation-resistant material is melted and evaporated by arcing and ionized; The rotation support portion is a plurality of turntables on which the plurality of cladding tubes are rotatably supported, the turntables being supported so that the rotation speed of the plurality of cladding tubes is constant at a preset speed, and the turntables being supported so that the coating thickness of the plurality of cladding tubes is maintained uniform in the length direction and the circumferential direction; The rotating table has a cladding tube mounting groove to which the upper portion of the cladding tube in the longitudinal direction is separably coupled by a fitting structure.

2. The rotation support portion is a first turntable including a lower portion of a predetermined first size, an upper portion coupled to a first central axis in a height direction, forming a mounting space along a circumferential direction, and rotating by transmission of an external force; 2. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second turntable, the second turntable being provided in a plurality of positions along the circumferential direction of the first turntable, the second turntable including a lower portion of a predetermined second size and an upper portion coupled to a second central axis in a height direction, the second turntable forming a plurality of cladding tube mounting spaces, and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the first turntable.

3. The first turntable is an eleventh rotating plate provided on the lower side and supporting a lower portion of the first central shaft; a twelfth rotating plate provided above the eleventh rotating plate and supporting an upper portion of the first central shaft, The second turntable is a 21st rotating plate provided on the lower side and supporting a lower portion of the second central shaft; 3. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a 22nd rotating plate provided above the 21st rotating plate and supporting an upper portion of the second central shaft.

4. 4. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the twelfth rotating plate includes shaft mounting grooves formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction to mount corresponding shafts.

5. The rotation support portion is 3. The cladding tube coating apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a driving unit provided on one side of the first turntable to generate a rotational driving force transmitted to the first turntable.

6. The rotation support portion is 6. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a power transmission unit provided between the driving unit and the first rotating table and between the first rotating table and the second rotating table, for transmitting the rotational driving force of the driving unit.

7. The power transmission unit is a first gear unit having a first gear ratio for reducing the rotation speed of the driving unit and connected to a lower portion of the first rotary table by a shaft coupling; a second gear portion having a second gear ratio that increases the rotational speed of the first gear portion and coupled to the second turntable by a shaft coupling; 7. The cladding tube coating apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a third gear portion having a third gear ratio for reducing the rotational speed of the second gear portion, the third gear portion being axially coupled to a periphery of the second gear portion on the second turntable.

8. The first gear portion includes: an eleventh gear unit provided at a lower portion of the first rotary table and directly connected to the driving unit; and 8. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a twelfth gear portion having the same shape as the eleventh gear portion, provided above the eleventh gear portion at the lower part of the first rotating table, connected to the same axis as the eleventh gear portion, and directly connected to the second gear portion.

9. The second gear portion includes: a 21st gear portion provided at a lower portion of the second rotary table and directly connected to the 12th gear portion; and 9. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a 22nd gear portion having a gear ratio for reducing the rotational speed of the 21st gear portion, the 22nd gear portion being provided above the 21st gear portion at the upper portion of the second rotating table, connected to the same axis as the 21st gear portion, and directly connected to the 3rd gear portion.

10. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the third gear portion is provided at a lower portion of the corresponding cladding tube.

11. 4. The cladding tube coating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cladding tube mounting grooves are formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the second rotating plate, and corresponding cladding tubes are mounted and attached in a separate coupling structure.

12. The cladding tube mounting groove is an inlet groove formed in the circumferential surface of the second rotating plate in the shape of an opening into which the cladding tube is inserted; and 12. The cladding tube coating apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a seating groove provided at an inner side of the second rotating plate at a position connected to the inlet groove, into which the outer diameter of the cladding tube is inserted and supported in a seated state.

13. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the target units are provided along the height direction of the chamber unit.

14. 2. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the target units are arranged in the chamber unit with reference to the circumferential direction of the rotation support unit.

15. The cladding tube coating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the target sections are arranged in a zigzag arrangement from the bottom surface so as to be at different heights relative to the circumferential direction of the rotation support section.

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