US4526311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for carrying out repair, maintenance or testing apparatus, components and the like in hot cells
Assignee: DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT ETC
•
Filing: 1982-09-22
•
Granted: 1985-07-02
•
Expires: 2002-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for carrying out repair, maintenance or testing of apparatus, components and the like in hot cells, more particularly hot cells of reprocessing plants for spent nuclear fuels. The position of damage zones is detected and ascertained with the use of coordinates. Replacement parts and tools are moved into the maintenance and work position in dependence upon the coordinate data, and the repair or maintenance work is automatically carried out under computer control, with remote operation and remote monitoring. For carrying out the work, computer-controlled handling machines and manipulators are used which are adapted to travel in controllable manner in the hot cell. The monitoring and detecting, using coordinates, of damage zones and defects may be carried out with the use of cameras and/or leak detectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Schroder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:10
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J5/00; B25J5/02; B25J5/04; B25J21/00; B25J9/00; B25J9/0084; G; G21; G21F; G21F7/00; G21F7/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S29/00; Y10S29/048; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49718; Y10T29/49721; Y10T29/4973; Y10T29/49732; Y10T29/49734; Y10T29/49737; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/49769; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/531
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of carrying out repair, maintenance or testing of conduit in a hot cell using a handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device, provided for such a purpose in the hot cell, comprising the following steps in combination: a. substantially continuously remotely monitoring the conduit for damage or a defect using remotely operable television cameras and/or leak detectors to detect the damage or defect, b. ascertaining the coordinates of the damage or defect by means of a computer, c. selecting an appropriate handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device; d. moving the selected handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device into a servicing position determined by the ascertained coordinates; and e. remotely operating and monitoring by means of the computer the selected handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device wherein said operating step comprises the following sub-steps: i. detaching the defective conduit part; ii. aligning the remaining two free conduit ends with one another; iii. aligning a replacement conduit part with the two free ends; and iv. welding the replacement conduit part to the free ends.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of carrying out repair, maintenance or testing of conduit in a hot cell using a handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device, provided for such a purpose in the hot cell, comprising the following steps in combination: a. substantially continuously remotely monitoring the conduit for damage or a defect using remotely operable television cameras and/or leak detectors to detect the damage or defect, b. ascertaining the coordinates of the damage or defect by means of a computer, c. selecting an appropriate handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device; d. moving the selected handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device into a servicing position determined by the ascertained coordinates; and e. remotely operating and monitoring by means of the computer the selected handling machine, machine tool, general tool, replacement part, working material or testing device wherein said operating step comprises the following sub-steps: i. detaching the defective conduit part; ii. aligning the remaining two free conduit ends with one another; iii. aligning a replacement conduit part with the two free ends; and iv. welding the replacement conduit part to the free ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3077361A
Cited
US3114799A
Cited
US3780571A
Cited
US3943756A
Cited
US3914613A
Cited
US4216893A
Cited
US4174999A
Cited
US4173060A
Cited
US4192053A
Cited
US4169758A
Cited
US4217173A
Cited
US4205939A
Cited
US4205940A
Cited
US4231419A
Cited
US4311556A
Cited
US4347652A
Cited
US4439905A
Cited
US4377551A
Cited
US4406856A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-01 | 1988-12-31 | 1989-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-01 | 1992-12-31 | 1993-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-01 | 1996-12-31 | 1997-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |