Tube cutter tool and method of use for coupon removal
It is well known in the art that metal tubes used in heat transfer devices are susceptible to wear, erosion and other degradations which may create weaknesses or other potential failure points. One typical prior art method to determine the cause of damage to a tube involves making a circumferential cut on the tube wall and removing the entire section of the tube having a damaged portion thereon. This method is useful where a straight length portion of the tube has been affected. However, access to more constricted areas and removal of relatively large sections of tubing is limited where the cutting procedure is performed from the interior of the tube. A tube cutter tool is insertable into a tube for cutting a coupon from a damaged site on the exterior of the tube. Prior to using the tool, the damaged site is first located from the interior of the tube using a multi-coil pancake eddy current test probe. The damage site is then marked. A fiber optic probe is used to monitor the subsequent cutting procedure which is performed using a hole saw mounted on the tube cutter tool. Prior to completion of the cutting procedure, a drill in the center of the hole saw is drilled into the coupon to hold it in place.
- Research Organization:
- KAPL, Inc., Schenectady, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC12-76SN00052
- Assignee:
- US Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A8376150
- Application Number:
- ON: DE97009536; PAN: 8-376,150; TRN: AHC29802%%87
- OSTI ID:
- 555462
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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