Laser cutting apparatus for nuclear core fuel subassembly

Patent · Tue Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:864144

Walch, Allan P ^[1]; Caruolo, Antonio B ^[2]

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1. Manchester, CT
2. Vernon, CT

The object of the invention is to provide a system and apparatus which employs laser cutting to disassemble a nuclear core fuel subassembly. The apparatus includes a gantry frame (C) which straddles the core fuel subassembly (14), an x-carriage (22) travelling longitudinally above the frame which carries a focus head assembly (D) having a vertically moving carriage (46) and a laterally moving carriage (52), a system of laser beam transferring and focusing mirrors carried by the x-carriage and focusing head assembly, and a shroud follower (F) and longitudinal follower (G) for following the shape of shroud (14) to maintain a beam focal point (44) fixed upon the shroud surface for accurate cutting.

• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4317021
• Application Number: 06/123,861
• OSTI ID: 864144
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

laser
cutting
apparatus
nuclear
core
fuel
subassembly
provide
employs
disassemble
gantry
frame
straddles
14
x-carriage
22
travelling
longitudinally
carries
focus
head
assembly
vertically
moving
carriage
46
laterally
52
beam
transferring
focusing
mirrors
carried
shroud
follower
longitudinal
following
shape
maintain
focal
44
fixed
surface
accurate
focusing mirror
fuel subassembly
core fuel
head assembly
nuclear core
laser beam
laser cutting
cutting apparatus
beam focal
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