Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Wiederaufarbeitung Von Kernbrennstoffen Mbh

Xomox Corporation

Lothar Hoffmeister

Klaus Blaseck

Michael J Sandling

Horst Halm

James W Davidson

Giuseppe Radovan

Helmut Westendorf

Klaus Hendrich

The remote control and remote handling accessory is of such design that an xchange part (7) contains all elements subject to wear of the accessory, while the anti-wear elements, in particular the accessory case (2) remain firmly connected to the pipeline (1). The exchange part (7) and the accessory case (2) are mutually fixed by a clamping bracket (9). The exchange part (7) comprises a central bolt (16) which is displaceable with respect to the other components of the exchange part (7) and is supported in both axial directions by the clamping bracket (9) which is adapted to be swung open. In this manner the exchange part can be pressed into and pulled out of the anti-wear part (accessory case 2). The other components of the exchange part (7) are connected to a cover (15) with respect to which the central bolt (16) is rotatable, the cover (15) being secured to a slide shoe (8) of a stationary guide rail (4). The anti-wear elements of the accessory and particularly of the accessory case (2) are held firmly at the stationary guide rail (4). The clamping bracket (9) is pivotably secured to the accessory case (2).

Remote control and remote handling accessory, especially for the hot

The invention is directed to remotely-controlled manipulator carrier systems for use in maintaining and servicing process equipment housed in large-area cells affected by radioactivity wherein industrial processes are conducted. The cells are part of a nuclear facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The process equipment is arranged along mutually adjacent walls of the cell and so defines a canyon-like passageway extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cell. The system includes a first overhead bridge crane having a trolley movable thereon in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis. The trolley includes a hoist for lowering and raising a hook for engaging and moving a component of the process equipment in a first vertical plane transverse to said axis. A second overhead bridge crane is disposed beneath the first bridge crane. Tracks are provided for guiding the bridge cranes in the enclosure in respective horizontal planes and in the direction of said longitudinal axis. The second overhead bridge crane includes an elongated supporting member arranged transversely to said axis above the passageway and engaging the track for movement therealong. A manipulator assembly includes a mast connected to the elongated supporting member and extends downwardly into the canyon-like passageway from the supporting member. The supporting member and the mast conjointly define a second vertical plane transverse to said axis. The manipulator assembly further includes a manipulator or performing manual-like operations on the process equipment, the manipulator being mounted asymmetrically on the mast so as to be on one side thereof and in a third vertical plane transverse to said axis. The first bridge crane is movable along the track to bring the first vertical plane into coincidence with the third vertical plane so as to permit movement of the hook in the third vertical plane clear of the transverse elongated supporting member whereby both the manipulator and the hook can be brought simultaneously to a predetermined work location at the process equipment.

System for performing remotely-controlled manual-like operations in

The invention is directed to a remotely-controlled remote handling arrangnt for use in large-area radioactively-charged cells of a facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The remote handling means includes a travelling bridge crane and a manipulator carrying apparatus arranged in a plane below the bridge beam of the crane. To improve the self servicing and internal maintenance thereof, the arrangement is made up of various assemblies. The movable assemblies can be separated from their travelling chassis frames. The drive units for driving the chassis frames stay with assemblies when the latter are removed. Accordingly, chassis frames are left on the bridge beam or guide member without their drive units.

Remotely-controlled remote handling arrangement for a large-area cell of

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Hanover, Germany

Lothar Hoffmeister