Use of remotely operated excavators for environmental restoration projects

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:225499

Kruse, P W ^[1]; Wilson, J

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1. Spar Aerospace Ltd., Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

In support of the Department of Energy (DOE)`s environmental restoration program, Spar and RSI have modified a Hitachi model EX200LC for remote operation. For projects requiring the retrieval of certain types of radioactive and hazardous buried waste, the toxic nature of the material will require that remotely operated equipment be used to retrieve the waste. For the recovery of buried boxes and drums, an excavator that has been modified for remote operation provides both the high payload capacity as well as the ruggedness to safely and efficiently recover this type of material. The control system for the excavator uses coordinated control technology to assist the operator in controlling the position and movement of the bucket and end effectors. The remotely operated excavator as well as a teleoperated transport vehicle were recently demonstrated in the field as part of the first phase of the remote conveyance system and innovative end effector development program for the DOE Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration Program at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL).

• OSTI ID: 225499
• Report Number(s): CONF-950917--; ISBN 0-7918-1219-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT
EXCAVATION
FIELD TESTS
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
MODIFICATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOTE CONTROL
RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
US DOE
WASTE RETRIEVAL