Method and apparatus for automatically tracking a workpiece surface. [Patents]

Patent · Tue Feb 03 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6719210

Laser cutting concepts and apparatus have been developed for cutting the shroud of the core fuel subassemblies. However, much care must be taken in the accuracy of the cutting since the fuel rods within the shroud often become warped and are forced into direct contact with the shroud in random regions. Thus, in order to cut the nuclear fuel rod shroud accurately so as not to puncture the cladding of the fuel rods, and to insure optimal cutting efficiency and performance, the focal point of beam need be maintained accurately at the workpiece surface. It becomes necessary to detect deviations in the level of the workpiece surface accurately in connection with the cutting process. Therefore, a method and apparatus for tracking the surface of a workpiece being cut by a laser beam coming from a focus head assembly is disclosed which includes two collimated laser beams directed onto the work-piece surface at spaced points by beam directing optics in generally parallel planes of incidence. A shift in spacing between the two points is detected by means of a video camera system and processed by a computer to yield a workpiece surface displacement signal which is input to a motor which raises or lowers the beam focus head accordingly.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Application Number: ON: DE83002351
• OSTI ID: 6719210
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
CUTTING TOOLS
LASERS
FUEL ASSEMBLY DISMANTLING
CUTTING
SHROUDS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
MACHINING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
TOOLS
420200* - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
220300 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements