Apparatus for applying an end plug to an end of a fuel rod tube

This patent describes an end plug applying apparatus for applying an end plug to a hollow tube end of a nuclear fuel rod such that a frictional interfitting engagement will be established between the end plug and the tube end facilitating the formation of a connection therebetween which hermetically seals the fuel rod, the apparatus comprising: a housing having spaced inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end adapted to receive the end plug and the outlet end adapted to receive the tube end to which the plug is to be applied; guide means disposed in the housing and having internal surface portions which define an internal guide channel aligned in tandem with the inlet and outlet ends of the housing along a common axis. A cross-sectional size smaller than that of an out external surface of the end plug. The guide means being yieldably expandable radially with respect to the common axis; means defining an infeed opening adjacent the inlet end of the housing and displaced laterally of the common axis through which the end plug is fed in a direction extending toward the common axis to a loading position in front of the inlet end of the housing; and means disposed adjacent the inlet end of the housing and movable along the common axis for engaging and moving the end plug from the loading position in front of the inlet end, through the inlet end and through the guide channel, to the outlet end