Michael J Field

US Patent:

47877154, Nov 29, 1988

Filed:

Jun 22, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/064980

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Columbia SC
Michael J. Field - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700
G21C 2100

US Classification:

356244

Abstract:

A fuel assembly grid inspection apparatus includes a precision noncontact measurement device having a source of illumination and a viewing system which define an inspection field of view. The viewing system is adapted to view and record one or more images of an object, such as a fuel assembly grid, located in the field of view to provide information from actual measurements of the grid which can be calculated to determine whether or not it comes within acceptable tolerances of the measurements of a standard grid of the same design. The apparatus also includes a universal fixture adapted to support any one of a variety of grids of different designs within the field of view such that portions of the fixture within the field of view are substantially transparent to the viewing system. The viewing system and the fixture are movable relative to each other in X, Y and Z directions for achieving a complete inspection of all parts of the grid. Typically, the grid being inspected has at least a pair of vertically displaced fuel rod contacting dimples disposed in each of a plurality of cells defined in the grid.

US Patent:

48658006, Sep 12, 1989

Filed:

Sep 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/248836

Inventors:

Hassan J. Amhed - Columbia SC
Michael J. Field - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376248

Abstract:

A fuel assembly grid inspection apparatus includes a precision noncontact measurement device having a source of illumination and a viewing system which defines an inspection field of view. The viewing system is adapted to view and record one or more images of an object, such as a fuel assembly grid, located in the field of view to provide information from actual measurements of the grid which can be calculated to determine whether or not it comes within acceptable tolerances of the measurements of a standard grid of the same design. The apparatus also includes a universal fixture adapted to support any one of a variety of grids of different designs within the field of view such that portions of the fixture within the field of view are substantially transparent to the viewing system. The viewing system and the fixture are movable relative to each other in X, Y, and X directions for achieving a complete inspection of all parts of the grid. Typically, the grid being inspected has at least a pair of vertically displaced fuel rod contacting dimples disposed in each of a plurality of cells defined in the grid.