Fuel Rod Auto-Loading Apparatus Barcode Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing and managing nuclear fuel rods lack efficiency in sorting, storing, and assembling fuel rods with different enrichment levels, leading to difficulties in rapid and effective assembly of nuclear fuel assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A fuel rod auto-loading apparatus that includes a storage unit, a loading unit, a feeding unit, an unloading unit, and a controller, which uses bar codes to sort and manage fuel rods, enabling automatic sorting, storage, and assembly of fuel rods into nuclear fuel assemblies, improving productivity and inventory control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sorting and management methods are used for fuel rods, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and sorting efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: storage unit with multiple racks for different fuel rod types, loading unit with barcode reader and gripping mechanism, feeding unit with positioning mechanisms, and unloading unit. Each module performs a specific function, enabling automated high-speed sorting while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A barcode is introduced as an intermediary information carrier on each fuel rod. The barcode reader scans these codes to automatically identify fuel rod types and enrichment levels, eliminating manual identification and enabling rapid automated sorting without requiring complex sensing or identification systems.
2Productivity
If automated loading and sorting systems are implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the gripping mechanism for loading, manages the feeding unit positioning, coordinates the unloading unit operation, and processes barcode information for sorting decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems for each operation, managing complexity while achieving full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the barcode already present on each fuel rod (from manufacturing) as its identification marker. The barcode reader automatically scans and interprets these codes, and the controller automatically determines the correct rack position based on the scanned information, enabling self-service automated sorting without requiring external intervention or complex decision-making systems.
3Ease of operation
If fuel rods are stored and managed without systematic organization, then storage simplicity is maintained, but inventory control and retrieval efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit is divided into multiple racks, with each rack designated for specific fuel rod types or enrichment levels. This segmentation enables systematic organization and easy retrieval of specific fuel rod types without requiring complex search or sorting operations, while the modular rack structure maintains storage system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barcode on each fuel rod serves as a copy of its identification information. The barcode reader scans this copy to retrieve fuel rod type information, enabling automatic inventory control and tracking without requiring physical inspection or complex identification systems. The controller maintains a digital record of stored fuel rods based on scanned barcodes, facilitating easy inventory management.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fuel rod auto-loading apparatus for a nuclear fuel assembly, which disposes fuel rods in a fuel rod case in a bundle to assemble the fuel rods into the nuclear fuel assembly. The fuel rod auto-loading apparatus includes a fuel rod storage unit having a plurality of stacked racks for fuel rods, a fuel rod loading unit raised/lowered to the racks and transferring the fuel rods, a feeding unit placing the fuel rods in rows and loading the fuel rods into the fuel rod case, a fuel rod unloading unit selectively unloading some of the fuel rods stored in the fuel rod storage unit and transferring the fuel rods to the feeding unit, a fuel rod assembly lifter which is disposed parallel to the feeding unit, and a controller controlling driving of the fuel rod loading unit, the feeding unit, and the fuel rod unloading unit.