Laser cutting apparatus for nuclear core fuel subassembly

Patent · Fri Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6788067

Walch, A P; Caruolo, A B

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 which straddles the core fuel subassembly, an x-carriage travelling longitudinally above the frame which carries a focus head assembly having a vertically moving carriage and a laterally moving carriage, a system of laser beam transferring and focusing mirrors carried by the x-carriage and focusing head assembly, and a shroud follower and longitudinal follower for following the shape of shroud to maintain a beam focal point fixed upon the shroud surface for accurate cutting.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• OSTI ID: 6788067
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
CUTTING TOOLS
LASER BEAM MACHINING
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
REMOTE HANDLING
FUEL ELEMENTS
MACHINING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
TOOLS
440300* - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
220300 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements
420203 - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures