Patent Number: 046727914
Section: claims

1. An end plug applying apparatus for applying an end plug to a hollow tube end of a nuclear fuel rod such that a frictional interfitting engagement will be established between the end plug and the tube end facilitating the formation of a connection therebetween which hermetically seals the fuel rod, said apparatus comprising: (a) a housing having spaced inlet and outlet ends, said inlet end adapted to receive the end plug and said outlet end adapted to receive the tube end to which the plug is to be applied;  (b) guide means disposed in said housing and having internal surface portions which define an internal guide channel aligned in tandem with said inlet and outlet ends of said housing along a common axis and being of a cross-sectional size smaller than that of an outer external surface of the end plug, said guide means being yieldably expandable radially with respect to said common axis;  (c) means defining an infeed opening adjacent said inlet end of said housing and displaced laterally of said common axis through which the end plug is fed in a direction extending toward said common axis to a loading position in front of said inlet end of said housing; and  (d) means disposed adjacent said inlet end of said housing and movable along said common axis for engaging and moving the end plug from said loading position in front of said inlet end, through said inlet end and through said guide channel, to said outlet end, said movement of said plug through said guide channel causing yieldable expansion of the cross-sectional size of said guide means such that said surface portions of said guide means conform to the outer external surface of the end plug and maintain guiding contact therewith as the end plug is moved through said guide channel;  (e) said housing includes  said guide means including  a central hub having said series of recesses defined therein; and  a series of annular rings disposed about and spaced along said hub so as to define said series of circumferential slots which intersect said recesses. 2. End plug applying apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said expandable elements take the form of a series of endless bands. 3. End plug applying apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a hub assembly comprising: