Patent Number: 061047732
Section: abstract

A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor includes a metal cladding tube being filled with nuclear fuel and having ends, an outer surface, and a longitudinal axis. A metal seal plug is welded to one of the ends of the cladding tube at a transition point, defining an annular bead disposed on the outer surface of the cladding tube at the transition point. The annular bead has a cylindrical outer jacket surface extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cladding tube. The annular bead has material being formed of the metal of the cladding tube and the metal of the seal plug. A welding apparatus for producing the fuel rod includes an electrode having a through bore formed therein for receiving one end of a cladding tube. A counter electrode is displaceable relative to the electrode for holding a seal plug to be welded to the one end of the cladding tube. The electrode has a cylindrical step formed therein at an end of the through bore facing toward the counter electrode. The cylindrical step has a diameter being greater than the diameter of the through bore.