Double gripper tube puller
US5138754A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/5383
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tool for axially removing a defect-containing length portion from a steam generator tubesheet primary side grips the tube length portion on both sides of the defect by radially outwardly moving gripper structure in the form of expanding ferrules (16,20) or collet spring fingers (60). Structure in the form of a central mandrel member (12, 13 or 50, 52, 54) moves axially to actuate the gripper structure. A sleeve (62) separately actuated on the mandrel (50) assists this action in the collet spring finger (60) embodiment. Movement of the defect-containing length portion requires an initial cutting of the tube-to-tubesheet weld, and for convenience, separation of the tube length portion from the remainder of the tube. Hydraulic structure (32, 56, 64) provides the motion axially of the grippers' actuators (14, 22, 23 or 58, 66) on either side of the defect either independently or together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.