ROD POSITIONING APPARATUS

摘要

A rod positioning apparatus 10 is disclosed for positioning the end of a rod 14 for a subsequent work operation on the rod 14 such as ultrasonic testing of welds in nuclear fuel rods. A rod stop member 20 receives the end of a rod advanced into a rod working position. A light emitting diode (Fig. 1 not shown, 26) emits light through a fibre optic cable 80 and across the area a rod end occupies when positioned in a rod stop position 20. The end of the fiber optic cable 74 receives light emitted across the rod stop position and directs the light to a light sensor 28. When the rod blocks the light path between the LED (26) and the light sensor (28) a control (30) is activated for controlling a rod advancing and securing mechanism 16 for stopping further advancement of the rod and securing the rod in a fixed position.