US5089684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tooling for working within a tubular element
Assignee: Areva NP SAS
•
Filing: 1990-06-28
•
Granted: 1992-02-18
•
Expires: 2010-06-28
Abstract
Abstract The frame (9), which is positioned in relation to the tubular element (T), comprises disengagable means (40) for driving the working rod (18) in rotation, and these means can co-operate with at least two regions (26 to 28) of the rod. It is thus possible to work in a plurality of different zones of the tubular element. Application to the sleeve coupling by laser welding of the steam generator tubes of pressurized-water nuclear reactors.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Griffaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:16
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/10; B23K26/103; B23K26/106; B23K26/20; B23K26/21; B23K26/24; B23K26/28; B23K26/282; F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/18; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Tooling for working within a tubular element, of the type comprising a rod (18) which comprises, at its front end, a rotary working head (20) equipped with means (24, 25) for centering within said tubular element, and a frame (9) traversed by said rod and equipped with means (8) for positioning in relation to said tubular element, said frame being equipped with means (40) for driving said rod in rotation, means for driving in rotation (40) selectively cooperating with at least two driving regions (26 to 28) of the rod axially spaced from one another and equipped with means (38, 39) for engagement-disengagement in relation to said rod, said tooling further comprising means (6) for longitudinal advance of said rod which are situated remotely, to the rear in relation to said means for driving in rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Tooling for working within a tubular element, of the type comprising a rod (18) which comprises, at its front end, a rotary working head (20) equipped with means (24, 25) for centering within said tubular element, and a frame (9) traversed by said rod and equipped with means (8) for positioning in relation to said tubular element, said frame being equipped with means (40) for driving said rod in rotation, means for driving in rotation (40) selectively cooperating with at least two driving regions (26 to 28) of the rod axially spaced from one another and equipped with means (38, 39) for engagement-disengagement in relation to said rod, said tooling further comprising means (6) for longitudinal advance of said rod which are situated remotely, to the rear in relation to said means for driving in rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Tooling according to claim 1 wherein said rod (18) comprises a plurality of sections connected to one another by free wheels corresponding to each drive region (26 to 28).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Tooling according to claim 1, wherein said frame (9) comprises a chassis (33) moveable in axial translation, means (35 to 37) for driving said chassis and means (42) for selective coupling of said chassis to said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Tooling according to claim 3, wherein said selective coupling means (42) are combined with said engagement-disengagement means (38, 39).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
Tooling according to claim 4, wherein said means for driving in rotation comprise a drive reduction gear set (40) carried by a secondary chassis (38) which is moveable radially within said frame (9) in relation to said rod (18), and wherein said selective coupling means comprise a roller (42) cooperating with a circular throat (29) of said rod and turning on an axis parallel to said rod and carried by said secondary chassis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Tooling according to claim 5, wherein said secondary chassis (38) is mounted within said moveable chassis (33).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Tooling according to claim 1, wherein said drive region (28) which is furthest from said working head (20) comprises a telescopic link (31).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
Tooling according to claim 1, for laser working, wherein said working head (20) comprises an optical cell which itself comprises means for focusing and for optical deflection to receive a light beam along an axis of said head and to deflect that beam focused on a point of impact of said wall of said tubular element, and means for conveying the laser beam of said laser (2) to said optical cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4080525A
Cited
BE871236A
Cited
EP0027388A1
Cited
FR2598950A1
Cited
US4839495A
Cited
US4978834A
Cited
US4983796A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-08-19 | 1996-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | 2000-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-08-19 | 2004-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |