TUBE END PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract: A system (10) for processing both ends of tubes (22), such as nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes. A conveyor (14), adjustable for different length tubing, supports and transversely moves the tubes (22) to tube-end-processing sites (28, 30). The conveyor is spaced up at the first-­ tube-end-processing sites (28) to create first access areas (32). First-tube-end-processing machines (16) have bases (74) with a portion placed underneath the conveyor in these first access areas (32). The first machines (16) have tube-end-processing modules (76) movably mounted on the bases (74) to accommodate different length tubing (22). The system (10) also includes second-tube-end-processing machines (18) having tube-end-process modules (80) posi­ tioned at the second-tube-end-processing sites (30). The modules process the tube ends with such operations as deburring, attaching fittings for flush etching the tubes, etc. Preferably, the modules (76, 80) are aligned for the system to process both ends of a tube simultaneously.

Description: The invention relates to a system for processing both ends of tubes, such as nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes. An operational step in the nuclear fuel fabrication process is the manufacture of fuel rod cladding tubes. Such tubes typically are made of a zirconium alloy and have a length between about 2.44 and 3.66 meters, an outside diameter of about 0.95 cm, and a thickness of about 0.06 cm. These tubes are loaded with uranium-containing nuclear fuel pellets and sealed at both ends with end plugs. The loaded tubes, now called nuclear fuel rods, are grouped into fuel assemblies which are loaded into the core of a nuclear reactor. A liquid moderator/coolant, such as water, is pumped through the core of the reactor and directed to pass along the fuel rods of the fuel assembly in order to extract heat generated therein by the fuel pellets for the production of useful work, such as the generation of electrical power. During the manufacture of a fuel rod cladding tube, the tube ends undergo various processing steps. For example, each tube end may be deburred, each tube end may be flared, one end may be connected to a debris-collecting nozzle while the other end is subjected to a blast of compressed air to blow-out the tube, a manifold may be connected to each end for a flush-etching operation using an acid followed by a water rinse to size and clean the tube inside surface, nozzles may be connected to each end to pass dry air through the tube, and plugs may be temporarily inserted into each tube end for the tube to undergo an underwater ultrasonic inspection, etc. The cladding tubes are normally processed in batches or sets with tubes having the same length within a set. Control rods and burnable absorber rods, which also are used in nuclear reactors, have tubes whose ends undergo similar processing operations. Cladding tubes become fuel rods with additional tube-end processing steps including: inserting and girth welding an end plug to one tube end, loading fuel pellets into the tube from the open tube end, inserting and girth welding an end plug to the open tube end, internally pressurizing the tube through a hole in one end plug, seal welding the pressurization hole, and inspecting the welds. Other end processing procedures are possible for tubes used in diverse applications. An important consideration during the manufacture of nuclear fuel rods is avoiding excessive tube flexing. To prevent fuel pellet damage, a loaded fuel rod must be supported and moved such that it is kept straight within specified tolerances. An excessively flexed fuel rod must be rejected. Typical tube end processing systems transversely move the tubes between tube-end-processing stations using conveyors, such as walking beams. A tube then is longitudinally moved to and from a tube-end-processing machine, usually by rollers. Different length tubes are accommodated since such systems do not simultaneously process both ends of a tube. US-A-4,300,627, which is considered to represent the nearest prior art discloses improved apparatus for fabricating tubing which accommodates different length tubing and which can be used to simultaneously process both ends of a tube. In that patent, a conveyor and the tube-end-processing machines for one tube end are mounted on a fixed module, and a conveyor and the tube-end-processing machines for the other tube end are mounted on a movable module (to accommodate different length tubing). In light of the foregoing, it is the primary object of the invention to provide a tube-end-processing system for simultaneously processing both ends of different length tubing, which has the versatility to incorporate different tube-end-processing machines in the system without requiring a massive structure to support or move the machines. With this object in view, the present invention resides in a system as defined in claim 1 and as defined in some preferred details in the subclaims. Several benefits and advantages are derived from the invention. The separate and stationary first machine base feature and the first machine-base-access area feature together allow the system to simultaneously process both ends of the tube and to accommodate different length tubing all with easy accommodation of different machines into the system and without requiring a massive structure to move the machines in response to different tube length. The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the tube-end-processing system; and Figure 2 is an isometric view of the conveyor mechanism portion of the system of Figure 1 including the frame and the walking beam arrangement. Reference will now be made in detail to several present preferred embodiments of the invention, some examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The tube-end-processing system 10, as seen schematically in Figure 1, includes a stationary support surface 12, a conveyor mechanism 14, first-tube-end-processing machines 16, second-tube-end-processing machines 18, and a controller 20. Preferably, the factory floor defines the stationary support surface 12. The conveyor mechanism 14 (also seen in Figure 2) provides means for supporting and transversely moving each tube, such as nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes 22 having first ends 24 and second ends 26, to predefined first-tube-end-processing sites 28 and to predefined second-tube-end-processing sites 30. The conveyor mechanism 14 is placed on the stationary support surface 12, but is spaced up therefrom at the first processing sites 28 to create first machine-base-access areas 32. Also, the conveyor mechanism 14 is adjustable for supporting different length tubes 22. Preferably, the conveyor mechanism 14 includes a frame 36 having two stationary support rails 38 disposed on the stationary support surface 12 through intermediate posts 40. The rails 38 are parallel to each other and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 22 being supported on the conveyor mechanism 14. The frame 36 also has at least three crossbars 42, 46 mounted on the rails 38. The cross bars 42, 46 are parallel to each other and extend transverse (perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 22. The posts 40 cause the crossbars 42, 46 to be spaced up from the stationary support surface 12 creating the first machine-base-access area 32. At least two of the crossbars (42a and 46) are transversely slidable along the rails 38 to accommodate different length tubes 22. Preferably they are so slidable via grooves 44 in the crossbars 42a and 46, while the other crossbar 42b is transversely immovable with respect to the rails 38. Crossbar 46 is generally identical with the transversely slidable crossbar 42a and is mounted on the rails 38 between, and parallel to, the crossbars 42a and 42b. Additional crossbars 46 may be employed, as needed, to adequately support the tubes 22 to avoid undesirable tube flexing and abrasion. Optionally, the tube-end-processing system 10 includes drive means for slidably moving the transversely slidable crossbars 42a and 46 on the rails 38 to adjust the frame 36 to handle a batch of different length tubes 22. Preferably, such means includes a double-piston powered cylinder, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 48 having a cylinder portion 50 affixed to the transversely slidable crossbar 46, a first piston 52 having a terminus 54 attached to the transversely slidable crossbar 42a, and a second piston 56 having a terminus 58 attached to the transversely immovable crossbar 42b. If the frame 36 contains additional crossbars 46, the drive means would contain additional powered cylinders and the crossbars made transversely slidable or immovable depending on the particular application, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Other drive means include a reversible motor and chain drive to move each transversely slidable crosspiece and crossbar, a hand-operated rope and pulley arrangement for each such crossmember, and the like, as is known to those skilled in the art. It also is preferred that the conveyor mechanism 14 includes a walking beam 60 having an inflatable bladder 62 mounted on each crossbar 42, 46. Mounting-inflatable bladders 62 on each crossbar 46 insures that a flexible tube, such as a pellet-loaded nuclear fuel rod, will be conveyed without excessive bowing. Specifically, the walking beam 60 includes tube support blocks 64 fixed to the crossbars 42 and crossbar 46, and a support beam 66 for each inflatable bladder 62. In Figure 2, the blocks 64 have been omitted from the crossbar 46 for clarity. Each inflatable bladder 62 is attached to its support beam 66 which is slidably mounted on a corresponding crossbar 42 or crossbar 46. The walking beam 60 also includes an air supply 68 (only a portion of which is shown in Figure 2) and flexible air lines 70 to inflate and deflate the bladders 62, and a powered cylinder 72 to longitudinally slide the support beams 66 on the crossbar 46 and (through the connection of the double-piston powered cylinder 48) on the crossbars 42. Walking beams, including their operation and use, are well known in the art. Briefly, the bladders 62 are inflated and raise the tubes 22 off the support blocks 64. Then the powered cylinder 72 moves the support beams 66 and hence the bladders 62 (and tubes 22) to the next support blocks 64. Here, the bladders 62 are deflated lowering the tubes onto the next support blocks 64, and the powered cylinder 72 returns the support beams back to their starting position. In this way, a short forward and back movement of the support beams 66 is used to move the tubes 22 along the entire length of the conveyor. Other tube moving arrangements for the conveyor mechanism 14, instead of the walking beam 60, include a continuous moving belt for each crossbar, an inclined rail for each crossbar with releasable tube stops to stop the tubes at the tube-end-processing sites, and the like, as is known to those skilled in the art. The first-tube-end-processing machines 16 process the first ends 24 of the tubes 22 moved by the conveyor mechanism 14 to the first-tube-end-processing sites 28. Each such machine 16 has a separate and stationary first machine base 74 and a first-tube-end-processing module 76 movably mounted (such as slidably mounted) thereon. Each first machine base 74 is positioned on the stationary support surface 12 with a portion of the first machine base 74 placed underneath the conveyor mechanism 14 in a corresponding first machine-base-access area 32. To accommodate different length tubing, each first-tube-end-processing module 76 is movably disposable near a corresponding first-tube-end-processing site 28. The second-tube-end-processing machines 18 process the second ends 26 of the tubes 22 moved by the conveyor mechanism 14 to the second-tube-end-processing sites 30. Each such machine 18 has a second-tube-end-processing module 80 positioned near a corresponding second-tube-end-processing site 30. A tube-end-processing machine is any apparatus that performs any operation on the end of a tube, such as those previously discussed concerning nuclear fuel rod cladding tubes 22 and including such tube-end-processing operations as cutting, welding, marking, inspecting, testing, and the like. The number and type of such machines does not form a part of this invention and depends on the particular tube processing desired, which is left to those skilled in the art. Clamps (not shown) may be used to secure the tubes against longitudinal movement when their ends are being processed by the machines, as can be appreciated by the skilled artisan. The tube-end-processing system 10 of the invention is best used to simultaneously process the first ends 24 and the second ends 26 of tubes 22. Some processing, such as flush-etching, requires simultaneous operations on both ends of the tubing. Other processing, such as deburring, can be done faster with simultaneous tube end operations. To that end, it is preferred that one (and better all) of the first-tube-end-processing sites 28 and one (all) of the second-tube-end-processing sites 30 be positioned so that their corresponding first-and second-tube-end-processing modules 76 and 80 are aligned for simultaneously processing the ends 24 and 26 of a tube. All of the machine modules 76 and 80 in Figure 1 are so aligned. To employ the tube-end-processing system 10 advantageously, it is desirable to utilize at least two first-tube-end-processing machines 16 and at least two second-tube-end-processing machines 18. If some of the processing sites are chosen not to be aligned, so that some tube ends are not simultaneously processed, powered rollers can be used to longitudinally move a tube towards and away from a machine module (if necessary, replacing tube supports 64 at any desired work station). The controller 20 of the tube-end-processing system 10 provides means for activating the conveyor mechanism 14 and for actuating the first- and second-tube-end-processing machines 16 and 18. The conveyor mechanism 14 is activated to move the tubes 22 to the first- and second-tube-end-processing sites 28 and 30. The first machines 16 are actuated to process the first ends 24 of the tubes 22 at the first-tube-end-processing sites 28, and the second machines 18 are actuated to process the second ends 26 of the tubes 22 at the second-tube-end-processing sites 30. The controller 20 commands the conveyor mechanism and the machines by sending signals over communication lines 82. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 20 also commands the air supply 68 and the powered cylinder 72 to operate the walking beam 60 as well as the double-piston powered cylinder 48 used to move the crossbars 42a, 46 to accommodate different length tubes 22. Preferably, the controller 20 is a computer, but any type controller will suffice, such as a timer-relay arrangement, a manually rotated sequencing switch, and the like, as is known to the skilled artisan. The predefined tube-end-processing sites 28 and 30 are chosen, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, to meet a particular tube end processing application. It is noted that by having a common support apparatus only for the tubing, and not for the machines, additional machines can be added easily to the system at newly defined processing sites, such as between the existing machines 16 and 18 shown in Figure 1, and existing machines can be exchanged.

Claims: A system (10) for simultaneously processing both ends (24, 26) of tubes (22) comprising a conveyor (14) for transversely moving a plurality of parallelly extending tubes (22) through predefined first-tube-end processing sites (28) and predefined second-tube-end processing sites (30) a plurality of first-tube-end-processing machines (16) positioned at said first-tube-end processing sites (28), and a plurality of second-tube-end processing machines (18) positioned at said second-tube-end processing sites (30) a controller (20) for activating said conveyer (14) to move said tubes (22) to said processing sites (28, 30) and for actuating said first-tube-end processing machines (16) to process the one tube ends (24) at said first-tube-end processing sites (28) and said second-tube-end processing machines (18) to process the other tube ends (26) at said second-tube-end processing sites (30) characterized in that said conveyor (14) has a frame (36) comprising a pair of stationary support rails (38) mounted on a support floor (12) and extending parallel to said tubes (22), and at least three cross bars (42, 46) mounted on said support rails (38) for supporting said tubes (22) and extending transverse to said tubes (22), with at least two of said cross bars (42a, 46) being slidable along said rails (38) for supporting tubes of different lengths said conveyor (14) has conveyor means (60, 62) disposed on at least two of said cross bars (42, 46), each of said first-tube-end processing machines (16) has a separate and stationary machine base (74) and a first-tube-end processing module (76) movably mounted thereon, said machine bases (74) being disposed on said support floor (12) in a machine-base-access area (32) said support rails (38) are mounted on posts (40) so as to space said slidable cross bars (42a, 46) of the frame (36) up from said support floor (12) at said first-tube-end processing sites (28) to define said machine-base-access area (32), The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first-tube-end processing sites (28) and said second-tube-end processing sites (30) are disposed such that said first-tube-end processing modules (76) and second-tube-end processing modules (80) are aligned for simultaneously processing both ends (24, 26) of a tube (22). The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said conveyor means (60, 62) comprise a walking beam (60) disposed on each of said cross bars (42, 46), said walking beam (60) including an inflatable bladder (62) mounted on top thereof for lifting and supporting said tubes (22). The system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that drive means (48, 50) are provided for slidably moving said slidable cross bars (42a, 46) on said stationary rails (38), said drive means (48, 50) including a double-piston powered cylinder (48) having a cylinder portion (50) affixed to one (46) of said slidable cross bars (42a, 46), a first piston (52) affixed to another slidable cross bar (42a), and a second piston (56) affixed to a immovable cross bar (42b).

Inventors: JOHN, CLARENCE DANIEL, JR.
Applicants: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B21D43
IPC codes: B23Q7, B21D19, G21C21