Device for measuring the force exerted by a grid spring
AssigneeSociete Franco-Belge de Fabrication de Combustibles
InventorsClaude Rebours, Gerard Barbe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for measuring the force exerted by a spring of a supporting grid on a fuel rod passing through the grid has an elongate body connected by two flexible blades that are parallel to the long direction to two respective beams insertable in a cell. At least one of the beams carries a force sensor designed to be pressed against the spring. A unit is slidable in the body along the body between a position in which it moves the beams apart while keeping them parallel to give them a spacing that corresponds to the nominal diameter of a fuel rod, and a position in which it allows the flexible blades to move the beams towards each other. The unit is movable at will between the two positions.
Claims8
A device for measuring a force which would be exerted by a spring of a supporting grid on a fuel rod of set diameter passing through the grid, comprising:
- an elongate body;
- a pair of flexible blades parallel to the direction of elongation and connecting the body to a pair of respective beams insertable in a cell, a force sensor connected to at least one of the beams for contact against the spring;
- a unit slidable in and along the body between a position in which it moves the beams apart while keeping them parallel to give them a spacing that corresponds to said set diameter, and a position in which it allows the flexible blades to move the beams towards each other;
- and means moving said movable unit at will between said two positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.