Methods and apparatus for machining a pipe in a nuclear reactor
US5897793A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for machining a pipe in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a EDM tool facilitates machining an opening in a pipe from within the bore of the pipe. More particularly, and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the EDM tool includes a housing, a linear motion guide, a cam, and an electrode. The housing is sized to fit within the pipe bore and includes a first end and a second end, and an electrode bore extends longitudinally through the housing and is sized to receive the electrode. The cam is slidably coupled to the housing so that the cam moves between the respective housing first and second ends. The electrode is positioned within the electrode bore of the housing and is coupled to the cam so that the electrode may move relative to the electrode bore. The linear motion guide drives the cam so that the cam moves between the housing first and second ends, and so that the electrode extends and retracts from the housing electrode bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.