Patent US3818786A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3818786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote cutting apparatus
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-21
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for making an annular cut in a remote surface. The apparatus is particularly suited for use in cutting the weld of an omega seal between two elongated pressure members in a nuclear reactor. The apparatus is capable of substantially aligning itself in a cutting orientation and maintaining itself therein against dislodging forces. A cutting tool is adapted to be remotely driven into cutting engagement with the weld. Cleansing means are provided for preventing cutting chips from entering the void defined by the omega seal and for removing them from the cutting region.
Inventors
- 👤 A Leshem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:31
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D1/00; G21D1/02; B; B23; B23B; B23B3/00; B23B3/22; B23B3/24; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/26; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/16; Y10T82/16426; Y10T82/16442; Y10T82/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 words
Apparatus for cutting an annular seal weld in a transverse portion of an elongated member, which transverse portion connects an elongated longitudinally outer tubular portion of the member with a longitudinally inner tubular portion of the member and in which the lateral operating space about the member is limited, comprising: a. a housing constructed to slidably encircle a said member for movement longitudinally inward therealong toward said longitudinally inner tubular portion and including means supported therewith for self-aligning said housing in a predetermined operating positioning proximate said annular seal weld; b. means for maintaining said housing in said predetermined positioning; c. a sleeve supported by said housing in relative rotational relationship therewith and against longitudinal motion relative thereto and constructed to rotatably encircle said longitudinally outer tubular portion, said sleeve including a longitudinally extending portion having a ring gear about the perimeter thereof; d. remotely controlled driving means including a motor supported by said housing and drivingly connected to gear means rotatably supported by said housing in driving engagement with said rotating sleeve ring gear for rotating said sleeve relative to said housing; e. a cutting tool fixedly positioned in a tool holder, said tool holder having a longitudinally extending threaded portion and being laterally supported by said rotating sleeve in longitudinally sliding relationship therewith; f. means for supporting said cutting tool and tool holder in longitudinally movable cutting alignment with said annular seal weld including first gear means having a threaded portion extending therealong and being rotatably supported by said rotating sleeve in supportive threaded engagement with said tool holder; and g. means for moving said cuttinG tool into cutting engagement with said weld including second gear means driving said first gear means and including a ring gear nonrotatably supported by said housing, whereby rotation of said rotating sleeve relative to said housing results in rotation of said first gear means and movement of said tool holder and tool longitudinally of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
324 words
Apparatus for cutting an annular seal weld in a transverse portion of an elongated member, which transverse portion connects an elongated longitudinally outer tubular portion of the member with a longitudinally inner tubular portion of the member and in which the lateral operating space about the member is limited, comprising: a. a housing constructed to slidably encircle a said member for movement longitudinally inward therealong toward said longitudinally inner tubular portion and including means supported therewith for self-aligning said housing in a predetermined operating positioning proximate said annular seal weld; b. means for maintaining said housing in said predetermined positioning; c. a sleeve supported by said housing in relative rotational relationship therewith and against longitudinal motion relative thereto and constructed to rotatably encircle said longitudinally outer tubular portion, said sleeve including a longitudinally extending portion having a ring gear about the perimeter thereof; d. remotely controlled driving means including a motor supported by said housing and drivingly connected to gear means rotatably supported by said housing in driving engagement with said rotating sleeve ring gear for rotating said sleeve relative to said housing; e. a cutting tool fixedly positioned in a tool holder, said tool holder having a longitudinally extending threaded portion and being laterally supported by said rotating sleeve in longitudinally sliding relationship therewith; f. means for supporting said cutting tool and tool holder in longitudinally movable cutting alignment with said annular seal weld including first gear means having a threaded portion extending therealong and being rotatably supported by said rotating sleeve in supportive threaded engagement with said tool holder; and g. means for moving said cuttinG tool into cutting engagement with said weld including second gear means driving said first gear means and including a ring gear nonrotatably supported by said housing, whereby rotation of said rotating sleeve relative to said housing results in rotation of said first gear means and movement of said tool holder and tool longitudinally of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second gear means comprise a planetary gear train having said ring gear non-rotatably supported by said housing - the sun gear and including additional planetary gear means rotatably supported by and carried with said rotating sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting tool includes a first cutting surface for making a first cut in said seal weld and a second cutting surface for chamfering at least part of the surface exposed by said first cut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus for cutting through the annular seal weld of an annular omega seal connecting a first tubular member with a second tubular member, said omega seal including an annular chamber defined by structure of said first and second tubular members and underlying said weld, said apparatus comprising: a. a housing constructed to slidably encircle at least the first of said tubular members for movement therealong toward said second tubular member and including means supported therewith for aligning said housing in a predetermined operating position proximate the region of said intended annular cut; b. a sleeve supported by said housing in relative rotational relationship therewith and against longitudinal motion relative thereto and constructed to rotatably encircle said first tubular member; c. remotely controlled driving means for rotating said sleeve relative to said housing; d. cutting means; e. means supporting said cutting means on said rotating sleeve in cutting alignment with said region of intended annular cut when said housing is at said predetermined positioning, said means adapted to be moved toward said weld relative to said rotating sleeve; f. means for moving said cutting means into cutting engagement with said weld to make an annular cut therethrough; and g. means carried by said rotating sleeve for directing a stream of pressurized fluid through said cut against a facing wall of said chamber only along an arc portion of said cut angularly spaced from said cutting tool, whereby to create a stream of fluid exiting said seal chamber through said cut proximate said cutting tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus for cutting through the annular seal weld of an annular omega seal connecting a first tubular member with a second tubular member, said omega seal including an annular chamber defined by structure of said first and second tubular members and underlying said weld, said apparatus comprising: a. a housing constructed to slidably encircle at least the first of said tubular members for movement therealong toward said second tubular member and including means supported therewith for aligning said housing in a predetermined operating position proximate the region of said intended annular cut; b. a sleeve supported by said housing in relative rotational relationship therewith and against longitudinal motion relative thereto and constructed to rotatably encircle said first tubular member; c. remotely controlled driving means for rotating said sleeve relative to said housing; d. cutting means; e. means supporting said cutting means on said rotating sleeve in cutting alignment with said region of intended annular cut when said housing is at said predetermined positioning, said means adapted to be moved toward said weld relative to said rotating sleeve; f. means for moving said cutting means into cutting engagement with said weld to make an annular cut therethrough; and g. means carried by said rotating sleeve for directing a stream of pressurized fluid through said cut against a facing wall of said chamber only along an arc portion of said cut angularly spaced from said cutting tool, whereby to create a stream of fluid exiting said seal chamber through said cut proximate said cutting tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fluid stream directing means comprise a nozzle operatively connected at its upstream end to a source of pressurized fluid and having a narrow arcuate discharge orifice at its downstream end in registry with said cut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said arcuate orifice extends the substantial portion of a circle to near said cutting tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |