Patent ES-8502284-A1 (ES)
Title: Installation for compacting oblong objects
IPC: G21C19/42
Filed: 1983-10-14
Abstract: Method for forming a compact bundle of flexible oblong objects of reduced cross section, such as enriched uranium oxide fuel pencils for a nuclear reactor is described, the objects forming, prior to compaction, an assembly in which they occupy transversally spaced parallel positions. A number of guide tubes (2) are arranged in a vertical direction, the upper ends (2a) of which are arranged according to the initial disposition of the assembly of objects, and the lower ends (2b) are arranged according to the desired disposition. - The dimensions of the guide tubes are such that in each one, the objects may slide under the pull of gravity so that the assembly of objects is brought vertically on top of the guide tubes and each object is introduced into a tube by its lower end and the assembly then slides to the bottom of the guide tubes. - The method is used esp. to insert the 4 m long 9.5 mm dia. fuel pencils into a container at fixed sepn. intervals in an e.g. triangular fuel pencil container, to form a single fuel element, or for the purposes of long or short term storage, transport, etc. Interlacing of the fuel pencils due to their flexibility is avoided. It can be ascertained that every location where a fuel element is required will be filled. The process can be effected quickly with considerable savings of cost compared with prior art. Max. packing can be obtd. with minimum risk. (21pp Dwg.No.0/7) EPAB- EP-110946 B Process for compacting a bundle of flexible oblong objects of small transverse dimensions, such as fuel pencils for nuclear reactor, said objects constituting, prior to compacting, an assembly in which they occupy parallel, transversely spaced apart positions, characterised: in that one arranges a plurality of guiding tubes substantially parallel to the same general vertical direction, of which tubes, on one side, the upper ends are disposed in register with the initial arrangement of said assembly of objects and of which, on the other side, the lower ends are disposed in accordance with the desired arrangement, the dimensions of said guiding tubes being such that one of said objects may freely side in each of them, in that one disposes said assembly of objects above the plurality of guiding tubes; in that one introduces one end of each object in one of the upper ends of said guiding tubes, in that one allows all of said objects to slide toward the lower ends of said guiding tubes, with the help of the gravity; and in that one arranges downstream of the bundle of the guiding tubes, a plurality of convergent, rigid elements whose ends directed towards the guiding tubes are facing the interstices between the ends of said guiding tubes and whose opposite ends are housed in the interstices left free between said objects, when the latter are in a bundle. USAB- US4671921 A A bundle of fuel pencils for nuclear reactors is compacted by locating the bundle above a number of parallel guide tubes with upper ends in register with the pencils and lower ends in the compacted arrangement, allowing the pencils to slide down the tubes, and locating downstream of the tubes convergent rigid linear guides for the pencils. - The compacted bundle is introduced into a slightly larger receiving container. - Downstream of the linear guides and in line is an extensible and retractable temporary receiver which holds the pencils compacted so that the bundle can be transferred to the container by pushing the container coaxially of the bundle while progressively retracting the receiver. - The pencils are moved from the tubes to the temporary receiver by raising the tubes while extending the receiver.