Patent US4555833A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4555833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical plug drill
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1984-03-12
•
Granted: 1985-12-03
•
Expires: 2004-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator including a frame having a substantially flat plate, with a hollow drill bit mounted thereon and movable generally perpendicularly with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position. An elongated retaining pin extends through the hollow drill bit and therebeyond having threads on one end thereof for attachment to the plug to be drilled. Actuating means moves the drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, motor means is mounted on the frame for rotating the drill bit. An air-water mixture is introduced near where the drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, the water being present in an amount of about one-half volume percent, and a vacuum is used to collect and remove the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip J. Hawkins
- 👤 Edward J. Choby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:36
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/26; F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003; B; B23; B23B; B23B51/00; B23B51/04; B23B51/0426; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49822; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5199; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/44; Y10T408/45; Y10T408/453; Y10T408/65; Y10T408/675; Y10T408/6757
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a stream generator, said device comprising a frame, a drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a stream generator, said device comprising a frame, a drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said drill bit is spring biased to the storage position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said motor means is a nut runner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said air-water mixture has about one-half volume percent water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said collection means includes a chamber substantially surrounding a portion of said drill bit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5, wherein a coil spring is positioned within said chamber biasing said drill bit to the storage position thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for moving plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame, a hollow drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operat ing position, an elongated retaining pin extending longitudinally through said hollow drill bit and therebeyond having means on one end thereof for securing a portion of the plug to be drilled to said pin, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for moving plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame, a hollow drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operat ing position, an elongated retaining pin extending longitudinally through said hollow drill bit and therebeyond having means on one end thereof for securing a portion of the plug to be drilled to said pin, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said elongated retaining pin has external threads at said one end thereof for securing a portion of the associated plug thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said hollow drill bit is rotated in a direction opposite to the threads on said retaining pin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said motor means rotates said drill bit counterclockwise.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said elongated retaining pin is constructed of a steel having a hardness greater than the associated plug material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said elongated retaining pin extends through said hollow drill bit and is freely movable with respect thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the air-water mixture has about one-half volume percent water.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame, a drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, actuating means for moving said drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, said actuating means being situated out of axial alignment with said drill bit, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame, a drill bit mounted on said frame and movable with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, actuating means for moving said drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, said actuating means being situated out of axial alignment with said drill bit, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 14, wherein said frame includes a planar member with said drill bit extending perpendicularly thereto, said actuating means being mounted on said planar member generally perpendicularly to said drill bit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 15, wherein said actuating means is a hydraulic cylinder having a piston thereof lying in a plane parallel to said planar member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 16, wherein said drill bit is connected to said hydraulic cylinder piston by a flexible cable to convert motion of said cylindrical piston parallel to said planar member into motion of said drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof generally perpendicular to said planar member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 14, wherein said collection means is position adjacent to said frame and includes a collection chamber which substantially surrounds a portion of said drill bit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame having a substantially flat plate, a hollow drill bit mounted on said substantially flat plate and movable generally perpendicularly with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, an elongated retaining pin extending longitudinally through said hollow drill bit and therebeyond having means on one end thereof for securing a portion of the plug to be drilled to said pin, actuating means for moving said drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, said actuating means being constructed and arranged to convert movement parallel to said substantially flat plate into movement of said hollow drill bit, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, the water being present in an amount of about one-half volume percent, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator, said device comprising a frame having a substantially flat plate, a hollow drill bit mounted on said substantially flat plate and movable generally perpendicularly with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position, an elongated retaining pin extending longitudinally through said hollow drill bit and therebeyond having means on one end thereof for securing a portion of the plug to be drilled to said pin, actuating means for moving said drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, said actuating means being constructed and arranged to convert movement parallel to said substantially flat plate into movement of said hollow drill bit, motor means mounted on said frame for rotating said drill bit, means for introducing an air-water mixture near where said drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, the water being present in an amount of about one-half volume percent, and collection means connectable to a source of low pressure for collecting and removing the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 19, wherein said pin has threads on said one end thereof and said motor means operates said drill bit in a direction opposite to said threads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-02 | 1989-06-03 | 1989-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-02 | 1993-06-03 | 1993-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-02 | 1997-06-03 | 1997-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |