Robotic system for remote maintenance of a pulsed nuclear reactor

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6993593

Thunborg, S

Guidelines recently established for occupational radiation exposure specify that exposure should be as low as reasonably achievable. In conformance with these guidelines, SNL has developed a remote maintenance robot (RMR) system for use in the Sandia Pulse Reactor III (SPR III) facility. The RMR should reduce occupational radiation exposure by a factor of 4 and decrease reactor downtime. Other goals include developing a technology base for a more advanced pulse reactor and for the nuclear fuel cycle programs of the US Department of Energy and US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The RMR has five major subsystems: (a) a chain-driven cart to bring the system into the reactor room; (b) a Puma 560 robot to perform dextrous operations; (c) a programmable turntable to orient the robot to any of the reactor's four sides; (d) a programmable overhead hoist for lifting components weighing up to 400 lb onto or off of the reactor; and (e) a supervisory control console for the system operator. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the turntable, hoist, and robot system in position around the SPR III reactor.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM
• OSTI ID: 6993593
• Report Number(s): CONF-861102-; TRN: 87-008027
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 53; Conference: American Nuclear Society and Atomic Industrial Forum joint meeting, Washington, DC, USA, 16 Nov 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
42 ENGINEERING
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
SPR-3 REACTOR
ERRORS
INSPECTION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
REACTOR DISMANTLING
REMOTE VIEWING EQUIPMENT
ROBOTS
SANDIA LABORATORIES
US DOE
US NRC
DEMOLITION
DOSES
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PULSED REACTORS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
220600* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors
420203 - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures