Hassan J Ahmed

US Patent:

50098357, Apr 23, 1991

Filed:

Jan 25, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/301414

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Irmo SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376251

Abstract:

An inspection apparatus and method for testing nuclear fuel rods for helium leaks includes the basic operative steps of constantly leaking helium at a predetermined known value into a test chamber containing a fuel rod to be tested, and sampling the atmosphere within the chamber and measuring the helium in the atmosphere. A measured helium value below a preset minimum helium value indicates a malfunction in the inspection apparatus, whereas a measured helium value above a preset maximum helium value indicates the existence of a helium leak from the fuel rods. On the other hand, a measured helium value between the minimum and maximum helium values indicates the absence of a helium leak from the fuel rod.

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:

52471543, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Jan 17, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/642741

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Irmo SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23K 2602

US Classification:

21912183

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring the laser marking of a bar code label which has been laser marked onto the end of a nuclear fuel tube for unacceptable depth penetration of the heat affected zone. The average gray level value of the bar code label positioned on the end of the nuclear fuel tube is compared with a predetermined standard. In the method disclosed, a bar code label positioned on the surface of the nuclear fuel tube is optically sensed and a set of discrete digital values representative of the depth penetration of the heat affected zone is generated. The average digital value representative of the bar code label is calculated and the average digital value compared to a predetermined standard.

US Patent:

52079767, May 4, 1993

Filed:

Sep 11, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/944017

Inventors:

Roosevelt Garrick - Gadsden SC
John F. Wilson - Columbia SC
Hassan J. Ahmed - Irmo SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376261

Abstract:

A fuel pellet surface defect inspection apparatus has an infeed conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a slide and inspection assembly between the conveyors. The assembly includes a slide defining an inclined track having exit and entry ends adjacent the respective discharge and infeed conveyors. The entry end is at a higher elevation than the exit end. The assembly also includes an inspection station located along the track between its entry and exit ends. The station has lower and upper sound reflectors configured to define an annular inspection chamber through which a pellet moves as the pellet slides down the inclined track. The chamber completely encloses the cylindrical surface of the pellet as the pellet moves through the chamber. An ultrasonic inspection head is mounted at the station and transmits and receives sound energy to and from a pellet as it moves through the chamber such that the sound energy completely surrounds the moving pellet being inspected within the chamber. The inclined track has an upper portion extending to the inspection chamber and a lower portion extending from the inspection chamber and having a shallower slope than the upper portion to cause deceleration of a pellet as it moves from the upper portion to the lower portion.

US Patent:

50493515, Sep 17, 1991

Filed:

Jul 3, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/375233

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Irmo SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376257

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining the enrichment of uranium dioxide powder is disclosed. A uranium dioxide powder is contained within a closed receptacle having a top, side and bottom wall surfaces. The receptacle is turned upside down so that the uranium dioxide powder is shifted within the receptacle to obtain a more uniform bulk density of the powder contained therein. The natural gamma radiation emission count of the powder is detected while the receptacle is upside down to determine the enrichment thereof.

US Patent:

45890820, May 13, 1986

Filed:

Jan 17, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/458407

Inventors:

Merle A. Parker - Columbia SC
Hassan J. Ahmed - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01B 520

US Classification:

364561

Abstract:

A rod straightness measuring system and method. A rod, such as a nuclear fuel rod, is supported and rotated in such a manner that if the rod were straight, it would be rotated about its longitudinal axis and remain straight without transverse translational motion, and in such a manner that if the rod were cambered, it would remain so cambered while supported and rotated. A multiplicity of separated and fixed range finders are placed apart from and directed towards the rod so that they would be directed perpendicular to a straight rod's longitudinal axis. The range finders measure the distance to the rotating rod. Differences in maximum and minimum measurements for each range finder indicate the degree of straightness of the rod. In a preferred system and method, the range finders are placed at known distances from a straight rod, and differences in distance measurements from the known distances for each range finder indicate the degree of rod straightness.

US Patent:

49784951, Dec 18, 1990

Filed:

Oct 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/426928

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376261

Abstract:

A modified inspection apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface defects includes a pellet guide chute assembly extending through an ultrasonic inspection chamber. The guide chute assembly has a support substrate and a pair of elongated plates attached on respective upper adjacent sides of the substrate. The substrate is composed of a pair of elongated wall sections rigidly attached together to have a V-shaped configuration in cross section. The plates are adjustably attached on the substrate wall sections for supporting a nuclear fuel pellet between and on adjacent longitudinal portions of the plates located in the inspection chamber. The plates have respective slots and cutout regions underlying the pellet at the adjacent longitudinal portions of the plates so as to expose portions of the support substrate wall sections also underlying the pellet such that acoustical energy can be propagated to and from bottom and side portions of the pellet via reflection of the acoustical energy from the exposed wall section portion. Also, an acoustical energy reflecting cover is disposed over the guide chute assembly at the inspection chamber. Further, a pellet position sensing arrangement and a transducer array for transmitting and receiving acoustical energy are included in the modified inspection apparatus.

US Patent:

47284838, Mar 1, 1988

Filed:

Apr 24, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/855266

Inventors:

Hassan J. Ahmed - Columbia SC
Steven R. Burchill - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1700

US Classification:

376258

Abstract:

An apparatus for an integrated and automated fuel assembly inspection system includes a support base, an elongated fixture, top and bottom carriages and a pedestal. The top carriage is mounted to a pair of tracks on the fixture for vertical movement therealong. The pedestal is mounted on the base and aligned with the top carriage for supporting a nuclear fuel assembly therebetween. The bottom carriage has a central opening adapted to receive the fuel assembly therethrough such that the bottom carriage surrounds all sides of the fuel assembly. Also, the bottom carriage is mounted to the tracks for generally vertical movement along the fixture and the fuel assembly. D. C. stepping motors are mounted on the top and bottom carriages and coupled to a gear track for selectively driving the carriages along the fixture. Proximity sensors are movably disposed on the bottom carriage adjacent the sides of the fuel assembly for measuring its envelope when the bottom carriage is moved to and stationed at selected axial positions along the fuel assembly. Lasers and photodetectors are disposed on the top and bottom carriages for continuously monitoring fixture out-of-straightness and performing correction.