Patent Number: 051868873
Section: abstract

There is disclosed an inspection apparatus for peripheral surfaces of nuclear fuel pellets which includes a handling unit, an image pick-up device, a judging device and a sorting unit. The handling unit holds a prescribed number of nuclear fuel pellets in a line and rotates the same on their axes. The image pick-up device is disposed adjacent to the handling unit, and picks up image data as to the peripheral surfaces of the nuclear fuel pellets. The judging device is operably connected to the image pick-up device, and analyzes the image data outputted from the image pick-up device to output judging signals. The sorting unit is operably connected to the judging device and separates defective pellets from non-defective pellets based on the judging signals. The sorting unit includes a plurality of sorting members and actuators. The sorting members are disposed adjacent to the handling unit so as to correspond to the nuclear fuel pellets, respectively. The actuators are operably connected to the judging device and the sorting members, and operate the sorting members based on the judging signals.