Sélection de la langue

Search

Sommaire du brevet 2766572 

Énoncé de désistement de responsabilité concernant l'information provenant de tiers

Une partie des informations de ce site Web a été fournie par des sources externes. Le gouvernement du Canada n'assume aucune responsabilité concernant la précision, l'actualité ou la fiabilité des informations fournies par les sources externes. Les utilisateurs qui désirent employer cette information devraient consulter directement la source des informations. Le contenu fourni par les sources externes n'est pas assujetti aux exigences sur les langues officielles, la protection des renseignements personnels et l'accessibilité.

Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Brevet: (11) CA 2766572
(54) Titre français: TABLE DE MANIPULATION LOURDE POUR LE REMPLACEMENT DES TUBES D'UN REACTEUR NUCLEAIRE
(54) Titre anglais: HEAVY WORKTABLE AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR RETUBE
Statut: Octroyé
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • G21C 17/017 (2006.01)
  • G21C 21/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • MORIKAWA, DAVID (Canada)
  • JACOBS, CHRIS THEODORE CHARLES (Canada)
  • CRUZ, GERMAN (Canada)
(73) Titulaires :
  • ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED (Canada)
(71) Demandeurs :
  • ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED (Canada)
(74) Agent: NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT CANADA LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L., S.R.L.
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré: 2018-01-02
(22) Date de dépôt: 2012-01-16
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 2012-07-14
Requête d'examen: 2016-10-20
Licence disponible: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Non

(30) Données de priorité de la demande:
Numéro de la demande Pays / territoire Date
61/432,964 Etats-Unis d'Amérique 2011-01-14

Abrégés

Abrégé français

Une table de travail lourde est destinée à soutenir un outil dopération de retubage de réacteur nucléaire. La table de travail peut être positionnée adjacente à une face dextrémité dun cur de réacteur nucléaire et déplacée dans une direction parallèle à la face dextrémité. La table de travail comprend un cadre, un élément de dessus supporté par le cadre et comportant une surface de soutien doutil dopération de retubage de réacteur nucléaire, un module dentraînement destiné à déplacer lélément de dessus dans la direction parallèle à la face dextrémité du cur de réacteur nucléaire pour positionner loutil adjacent à la face dextrémité à un emplacement désiré, et un contrôleur connecté de manière fonctionnelle au module dentraînement en vue de contrôler le mouvement de lélément de dessus dans la direction parallèle à la face dextrémité du cur de réacteur nucléaire.


Abrégé anglais

A worktable for supporting a tool for a nuclear reactor retubing operation. The worktable is positionable adjacent to an end-face of a nuclear reactor core and movable in a direction parallel to the end-face. The worktable includes a frame, a top member supported by the frame and having a surface for supporting a tool for the nuclear reactor retubing operation, a drive unit for moving the top member in the direction parallel to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to the end-face at a desired location, and a controller operably connected to the drive unit for controlling movement of the top member in the direction parallel to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.



What is claimed is:

1. A worktable for supporting a tool for a nuclear reactor retubing
operation, the
worktable positionable adjacent to an end-face of a nuclear reactor core and
movable in a
direction parallel to the end-face, the worktable comprising:
a frame;
a top member supported by the frame and having a surface for supporting a tool

for the nuclear reactor retubing operation;
a drive unit for moving the top member in the direction parallel to the end-
face of
the nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to the end-face at a
desired location;
and
a controller operably connected to the drive unit for controlling movement of
the
top member in the direction parallel to the end-face of the nuclear reactor
core.
2. The worktable of claim 1, wherein the top member includes a bolt pattern
for
coupling the tool to the worktable.
3. The worktable of claim 1, wherein the top member includes keyways
machined
into the top member.
4. The worktable of claim 1, further comprising rails mounted to the top
member for
providing z-axis movement of the tool towards and away from the end-face of
the nuclear
reactor core.
5. The worktable of claim 1, further comprising an extension coupled to a
front end
of the worktable adjacent to the reactor core and including a top surface,
wherein the top
surface is flush with the top member of the worktable such that the extension
extends the
top member of the worktable in a z-axis direction towards the nuclear reactor
core.
6. The worktable of claim 1, wherein the controller is a local control
pendant for
moving the worktable relative to the face of the nuclear reactor core.

11


7. The worktable of claim 1, wherein the controller is a remote retube
control center
operable to control the movement of the top member remotely.
8. The worktable of claim 1, further comprising a vision system for
detecting a
position of the worktable relative to the end-face of the nuclear reactor
core.
9. The worktable of claim 8, wherein the vision system includes a camera.
10. The worktable of claim 1, wherein the drive unit is an x-drive unit for
moving the
top member horizontally in the x-direction parallel to the end-face of the
nuclear reactor
core to position the tool adjacent to the end-face.
11. The worktable of claim 10, wherein the x-drive includes one of a rack
and a
pinion coupled to the frame.
12. The worktable of claim 10, further comprising a y-drive unit for
raising the top
member vertically in a y-direction parallel to the end-face of the nuclear
reactor core to
position the tool adjacent to the end-face.
13. The worktable of claim 12, wherein the y-drive unit includes a screw
and worm
drive for raising the top member.
14. The worktable of claim 10, wherein the x-drive unit provides coarse
positioning
in the x-direction and the y-drive unit provides fine positioning in the y-
direction.

12


15. A worktable for supporting a tool for a nuclear reactor retubing
operation, the
worktable positionable adjacent to an end-face of a nuclear reactor core and
movable
horizontally in an x-direction and vertically in a y-direction parallel to the
end-face, the
worktable comprising:
a frame;
a top member supported by the frame and having a surface for supporting a tool

for the nuclear reactor retubing operation;
an x-drive unit for moving the top member horizontally in the x-direction
parallel
to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to
the end-face;
a y-drive unit for moving the top member vertically in the y-direction
parallel to
the end-face of the nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to the
end-face; and
a controller operably connected to the x-drive unit and the y-drive unit for
controlling movement of the top member in the x-direction and the y-direction,
wherein
the controller is programmed to control movement of the top member in the x-
direction
independently from the y-direction.
16. The worktable of claim 15, wherein the x-drive unit provides coarse and
fine
positioning in the x-direction and the y-drive unit provides fine positioning
in the y-
direction.
17. The worktable of claim 15, wherein the x-drive includes a rack and a
pinion
coupled to the frame.
18. The worktable of claim 15, wherein the y-drive unit includes a screw
and worm
drive for raising the top member.
19. The worktable of claim 15, further comprising a vision system for
detecting a
position of the worktable relative to the end-face of the nuclear reactor
core.

13


20. A method of retubing a nuclear reactor, the method comprising:
providing a worktable adjacent to an end-face of a nuclear reactor core,
wherein
the worktable includes a surface for supporting a tool for the nuclear reactor
retubing
operation and a drive unit for positioning the worktable relative to the end-
face of the
nuclear reactor core;
supporting the tool for the nuclear reactor retubing operation on the
worktable;
positioning the worktable relative to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core
by
controlling the drive unit; and
retubing the nuclear reactor using the worktable to locate the tool relative
to the
end-face of the nuclear reactor core.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the drive unit includes an x-drive unit
and a y-
drive unit, wherein the step of positioning the worktable relative to the end-
face of the
nuclear reactor core further comprises:
coarsely controlling the position of the worktable relative to the end-face in
a
horizontal x-direction substantially parallel to the end-face using the x-
drive; and
finely controlling the position of the worktable relative to the end-face in a

vertical y-direction substantially parallel to the end-face using the y-drive.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising extending the worktable in a
z-
direction towards the end-face of the nuclear reactor by attaching an
extension to a front
of the worktable.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising moving the tool towards the
end-face
of the nuclear reactor core along a rail provided on the worktable.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein controlling the drive unit further
comprises
remotely controlling the drive unit from a remote retube control center.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein controlling the drive unit further
comprises
controlling the drive unit from a local control pendant.

14

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 2766572 2017-03-02
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
HEAVY WORKTABLE AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR RETUBE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/432,964, filed January 14, 2011.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to nuclear reactors. More
particularly, the invention
relates to equipment used during a retubing operation of a nuclear reactor.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, the invention provides a worktable for
supporting a tool for a
nuclear reactor retubing operation, the worktable positionable adjacent to an
end-face of a
nuclear reactor core and movable in a direction parallel to the end-face. The
worktable includes
a frame, a top member supported by the frame and having a surface for
supporting a tool for the
nuclear reactor retubing operation, a drive unit for moving the top member in
the direction
parallel to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core to position the tool
adjacent to the end-face at
a desired location, and a controller operably connected to the drive unit for
controlling
movement of the top member in the direction parallel to the end-face of the
nuclear reactor core.
[0004] In some embodiments, the invention provides a worktable for
supporting a tool for a
nuclear reactor retubing operation, the worktable positionable adjacent to an
end-face of a
nuclear reactor core and movable horizontally in an x-direction and vertically
in a y-direction
parallel to the end-face. The worktable includes a frame, a top member
supported by the frame
and having a surface for supporting a tool for the nuclear reactor retubing
operation, an x-drive
unit for moving the top member horizontally in the x-direction parallel to the
end-face of the
nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to the end-face at a
desired location, a y-drive
unit for moving the top member vertically in the y-direction parallel to the
end-face of the
nuclear reactor core to position the tool adjacent to the end-face at a
desired location, and a
controller operably connected to the x-drive unit and the y-drive unit for
controlling movement
1

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
of the top member in the x-direction and the y-direction. The controller is
programmed to
control movement of the top member in the x-direction independently from the y-
direction.
[0005] In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of retubing a
nuclear reactor
core. The method includes providing a worktable adjacent to an end-face of a
nuclear reactor
core, wherein the worktable includes a surface for supporting a tool for the
nuclear reactor
retubing operation and a drive unit for positioning the worktable relative to
the end-face of the
nuclear reactor core, supporting the tool for the nuclear reactor retubing
operation on the
worktable, positioning the worktable relative to the end-face of the nuclear
reactor core by
controlling the drive unit, and retubing the nuclear reactor using the
worktable to locate the tool
relative to the end-face of the nuclear reactor core.
[0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration
of the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reactor core.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel channel assembly.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a heavy worktable
positioned on a retube
platform prior to removal of end fittings of fuel channel assemblies.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the heavy worktable shown in
FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a frame of the heavy
worktable shown in
FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the heavy worktable shown in
FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of the
heavy worktable
shown in FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the worktable shown in FIG. 4
having an
extension attached.
2

CA 2766572 2017-03-02
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the heavy worktable
positioned on the retube
platform with the front extension attached, after removal of the end fittings
of all fuel channel
assemblies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail,
it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following
drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being
practiced or of being
carried out in various ways.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a reactor core of a CANDUTm-type reactor
6. The reactor
core is typically contained within a vault that is sealed with an air lock for
radiation control and
shielding. A generally cylindrical vessel, known as a calandria 10, contains a
heavy-water
moderator. The calandria 10 has an annular shell 14 and a tube sheet 18 at a
first end 22 and a
second end 24. The tube sheets 18 include a plurality of bores that accept a
fuel channel
assembly 28. As shown in FIG. 1, a number of fuel channel assemblies 28 pass
through the tube
sheets 18 of calandria 10 from the first end 22 to the second end 24.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the fuel channel assembly 28. As
illustrated in FIG. 2,
each fuel channel assembly 28 is surrounded by a calandria tube ("CT") 32. The
CT 32 forms a
first boundary between the heavy water moderator of the calandria 10 and the
fuel bundles or
assemblies 40. The CTs 32 are positioned in the bores on the tube sheet 18. A
CT rolled joint
insert 34 within each bore is used to secure the CT 32 to the tube sheet 18.
[0019] A pressure tube ("PT") 36 forms an inner wall of the fuel channel
assembly 28. The
PT 36 provides a conduit for reactor coolant and the fuel bundles or
assemblies 40. The PT 36,
for example, generally holds two or more fuel assemblies 40 and acts as a
conduit for reactor
coolant that passes through each fuel assembly 40. An annulus space 44 is
defined by a gap
between the PT 36 and the CT 32. The annulus space 44 is normally filled with
a circulating
gas, such as dry carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, air, or mixtures thereof.
The annulus space 44
and gas are part of an annulus gas system. The annulus gas system has two
primary functions.
3

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
=
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
First, a gas boundary between the CT 32 and PT 36 provides thermal insulation
between hot
reactor coolant and fuel within the PTs 36 and the relatively cool CTs 32.
Second, the annulus
gas system provides an indication of a leaking CT 32 or PT 36 via the presence
of moisture,
deuterium, or both in the annulus gas.
[0020] An annulus spacer or garter spring 48 is disposed between
the CT 32 and PT 36. The
annulus spacer 48 maintains the gap between the PT 36 and the corresponding CT
32, while
allowing the passage of the annulus gas through and around the annulus spacer
48. Maintaining
the gap helps ensure safe and efficient long-term operation of the reactor 6.
[0021] As also shown in FIG. 2, an end fitting 50 is attached
around the fuel channel
assembly 28 outside of the tube sheet 18 at each end 22, 24. At the front of
each end fitting 50 is
a closure plug 52. Each end fitting 50 also includes a feeder assembly 54. The
feeder assemblies
54 feed reactor coolant into or remove reactor coolant from the PTs 36. In
particular, for a single
fuel channel assembly 28, the feeder assembly 54 on one end of the fuel
channel assembly 28
acts as an inlet feeder, and the feeder assembly 54 on the opposite end of the
fuel channel
assembly 28 acts as an outlet feeder. As shown in FIG. 2, the feeder
assemblies 54 can be
attached to the end fitting 50 using a coupling assembly 56 including a number
of screws,
washers, seals, and/or other types of connectors.
[0022] Coolant from the inlet feeder assembly flows along a
perimeter channel of the end
fitting 50 until it reaches a shield plug 58. The shield plug 58 is contained
inside the end fitting
50 and provides radiation shielding. The shield plug 58 also includes a number
of openings that
allow the coolant provided by the inlet feeder assembly to enter an end of a
PT 36. A shield plug
58 located within the end fitting 50 at the other end of the fuel channel
assembly 28 includes
similar openings that allow coolant passing through the PT 36 to exit the PT
36 and flow to the
outlet feeder assembly 54 through a perimeter channel of another end fitting
50 at the opposite
face of the reactor 6. As shown in FIG. 1, feeder tubes 59 are connected to
the feeder assemblies
54 that carry coolant to or away from the reactor 6.
[0023] Returning to FIG. 2, a positioning hardware assembly 60 and
bellows 62 are also
coupled to each end fitting 50. The bellows 62 allows the fuel channel
assemblies 28 to move
axially. The positioning hardware assemblies 60 are used to set an end of a
fuel channel
4

CA 2766572 2017-03-02
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
assembly 28 in either a locked or unlocked position. In a locked position, the
end of the fuel
channel assembly 28 is held stationary. In an unlocked position, the end of
the fuel channel
assembly 28 is allowed to move. A tool can be used with the positioning
hardware assemblies
60 to switch the position of a particular fuel channel assembly 28.
[0024] The positioning hardware assemblies 60 are also coupled to an end
shield 64. The
end shields 64 provide additional radiation shielding. Positioned between the
tube sheet 18 and
the end shield 64 is a lattice sleeve or tube 65. The lattice tube 65 encases
the connection
between the end fitting 50 and the PT 36 containing the fuel assemblies 40.
Shielding ball
bearings 66 and cooling water surround the exterior the lattice tubes 65,
which provides
additional radiation shielding.
[0025] It should be understood that although a CANDUTm-type reactor is
illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 2, the methods and systems described below for retubing a reactor also
applies to other
types of reactors containing similar components as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0026] During a retubing of the reactor core, during which end fittings 50
are removed from
the CANDUTM reactor, various machine tools and material handling equipment
must be provided
adjacent end faces 68 of the reactor core. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-9,
worktables, such as a
heavy worktable 70 shown in the drawings and described below, provide surfaces
for supporting
such tools and equipment. For example, the worktable 70 includes a top member
72, such as a
plate, a box, a frame or other suitable structure, having a surface 74 for
supporting tools and
equipment for the retubing operation. One or more worktables 70 may be
provided on a retube
tooling platform ("RTP") 76 (FIG. 3) located adjacent an end face 68 of the
reactor core 6. The
RTP 76 is an adjustable platform upon which much of the fuel channel component
removal
operations are performed. The retube tooling platform 76 is installed adjacent
one of the end
faces 68 of the reactor core 6 and operates to move up and down (y direction)
to different
elevations for working on various portions of the reactor core 6 during the
retube operation. In
some constructions, the RTP 76 is a stand-alone machine that does not rely on
existing plant
structures for positioning or movement, and is adapted to adjustably support
one or more tables
70. In some constructions, one platform 76 may be provided at each end face 68
of the reactor
core 6, each platform 76 supporting one, two or more worktables 70.

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
[0027] The various tools utilized in the present invention can be installed
and/or used
adjacent the calandria 10 of the nuclear reactor on the worktable 70. The
table 70 can carry and
support the tooling from lattice site to lattice site across the end face 68
of the calandria 10. In
some constructions, the table 70 is laterally movable in an x direction by an
x-drive unit 78 (e.g.,
upon rails, on a cart, and the like) at a common elevation across the end face
68 of the calandria
10, whereas in other constructions, the table 70 is also vertically movable in
a y direction by a y-
drive unit 80 and/or is movable toward and away from the reactor face in a z
direction. By way
of example, in some constructions, the table 70 is movable in x and z
directions and is mounted
upon the RTP 76 and vertically movable (in the y direction) to different
lattice sites.
100281 In the illustrated construction, the heavy worktable 70 includes the
top member 72 for
coupling a variety of tool arrangements. For example, the top member 72 may
include a
universal bolt pattern 102 (tabletop) or keyways 82 machined into the tabletop
72 as shown in
Fig. 4 to allow for precise and consistent alignment of the production tools.
In some
constructions, rails are mounted on the top member 72 to provide z-axis
(horizontal toward and
away from the reactor core 6) capacity for tools.
100291 As illustrated in FIG. 5, the worktable 70 also includes a frame 84,
which supports the
top member 72. The frame 84 is located on the RTP 76, to which other tools can
be mounted.
As described above, the heavy worktable 70 may support heavily radiation-
shielded tools during
removal processes. In some constructions, the heavy worktable 70 is configured
to support loads
over 40,000 lbs. For example, in the illustrated construction, the frame 84 is
a carbon steel
welded structure including two main beams 86 interconnected by 4 cross beams
88 forming 3
pockets. The beams 86, 88 are a welded box structure consisting of a top and
bottom flange 1-3/4
inch thick and two side webs, each V2 inch thick. The heavy worktable 70
provides x-axis
(horizontal along the reactor core 6 at a fixed distance from the reactor core
6) and y-axis
(vertical along the reactor core 6 at a fixed distance from the reactor core
6) positioning of these
tools.
100301 The x-drive unit 78 is coupled to the frame 84 for moving the
worktable 70
horizontally in the x direction. The x-drive unit 78 provides both coarse and
fine x direction
positioning, depending on the control command given. In the illustrated
construction, as shown
6

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
in FIGS. 3 and 6-7, the frame 84 is a motorized frame and the heavy worktable
70 is movable
along the x-axis along rails 90 on the RTP 76, with a range equal to or
greater than the width of
the reactor core 6. Guides 92 are coupled to the worktable 70 for guiding the
worktable 70 along
the rails 90. Four x-drive units 78 are located at each corner of the
worktable 70 for driving the
worktable 70 along the rails 90 in the x direction. For example, each x-drive
unit 78 includes a
motor 94, such as a servo motor, and a rack 96 and pinion 98 arranged along
the x-axis. The
motor 94 drives the pinion 98 to rotate, which drives the pinion 98 along the
rack 96 to move the
worktable 70 in the x direction. In other constructions, other types of x-
drive units for moving
the worktable 70 in the x direction may be employed.
[0031] Although the retube platform 76 that supports the heavy worktable 70
is movable to
various elevations, the top member 72 may be movable relative to the a top
surface 100 of the
retube platform 76 along the y-axis for precision placement relative to the
reactor core 6 by the
y-drive unit 80. In the illustrated construction, the y-drive unit 80 is a
screw and worm drive
utilizing, for example, a screw 104 (shown in phantom in FIG. 5) and servo
motors 106. Four
substantially identical y-drive units 80 are coupled to the frame 84 and
located at each corner of
the worktable 70. In other constructions, fewer or more y-drive units 80 may
be employed. In
the illustrated construction, the screw 104 is a 4-1/2 inch diameter, 2
threads per inch, single
start, centralizing ACME screw. The screw 104 is made up of case hardened high
strength alloy
steel. The y-drive unit 80 has a mechanical range of 4.0 inches between the
upper and lower
hard stops. In other constructions, other types of screws may be employed and
the top member
72 of the heavy worktable 70 may be movable with a range of 1.0 to 12 inches
with high
resolution. Furthermore, other types of y drive units 80 may be employed for
vertical
positioning of the worktable 70 in the y direction.
[0032] By way of example only, in the illustrated construction, the motors
94, 106 for the x
and y drive units 78, 80 are permanent-magnet synchronous servo motors. More
specifically, the
x and y motors 94, 106 include 3000 RPM, compact 3 HP servo motors designed
for operation
without external cooling and use the motor surface to dissipate the heat. The
servo motors have
a built-in holding brake and use a multi-pole resolver for speed and position
control. The servo
motors are sized based on the torque needs and the ability of the holding
brake to withstand
more-than-occasional abnormal emergency braking situation. The selection of
these motors was
7

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
made following a 40% torque curve usage. The x-axis as well as y-axis servo
motor group work
synchronously under normal conditions to provide the necessary power to
position the worktable
70 and the tooling it supports.
100331 In the illustrated construction, the heavy worktable 70 is provided
on the RTP 76 and
is used to support and position the removal and installation tooling in the
vertical (y) and
horizontal (x) directions. The worktable 70 provides fine vertical positioning
while the coarse
vertical positioning is provided by the RTP 76. In some constructions, two
worktables 70 are
installed on the RTP 76. Each worktable 70 is independently controlled by the
operator, either
locally using a control pendant 108 (FIG. 4), or remotely from a retube
control center 110.
Remote operation eliminates the dose exposure that occurs during local
control. However, local
control affords quicker response to troubleshooting and line of sight
feedback. The heavy
worktable 70 can also operate in a fully-automated mode. A worktable control
system includes
the control pendant 108, a controller or individual tool controller ("ITC")
112, and a local control
panel 114 having an input/output ("I/0") PLC System. The local control pendant
108 allows
operators to start and stop sequences, monitor platform function, recover from
faults and
troubleshoot the system. The pendant 108 includes a touch-sensitive color
screen with function
keys surrounding three sides of the screen. All control components 116, such
as sensors and
homing devices, are connected to the local control panel ("LCP") 114, which is
installed on the
worktable 70. Each worktable 70, if more than one is employed, has its own
individual tool
control system.
[0034] The ITC 112 is located in a vault floor plant basement and
interfaces with the
worktable 70 through the remote I/O. Control cables 118 run from the ITC 112
to the worktable
remote I/O motors 94, 106 using a series of catenaries and cable tracks. The
LCP 114 and ITC
112 are connected through a PLC Profinet network. The local control pendant
108, situated in
close proximity to the worktable 70, can control the worktable 70. The ITC 112
then
communicates with an arbiter over the Profinet Network. The ITC 112 includes
the following
components: power distribution, a PLC control system, servomotor controllers,
interlocks,
permissives and an emergency stop control.
8

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
A
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
[0035] For each axis of the worktable 70, there is a mechanism for
confirming the position of
the worktable 70. For the y direction, four linear displacement potentiometers
120 are installed
on the four corners of the frame 84. This method has been selected to provide
an absolute y-
position for the worktable 70. The position is analyzed by the PLC during
movements for
precise levelling, homing and limit detection within a small distance.
Mechanical hard stops are
implemented on each axis and if the worktable 70 goes past the end limit
position, servomotor
high current detection will deactivate the power. For the x-axis, when only
one worktable 70 is
installed on the RTP 76, an x-drive unit control system will look for two
roller limit switches
(not shown) located at each end of the worktable 70 in the x direction. Flags
are located before
the mechanical hard stop. When two worktables 70 are installed on the RTP 76,
the x-drive unit
control system will look for the limit switch that faces the edge of the RTP
76. For the side that
faces the other worktable 70, the limit switch will be deactivated and the
position limit will then
be taken over by system interlock supervision implemented by the arbiter.
[0036] Each heavy worktable 70 is equipped with a vision homing
system, indicated
generally in FIG. 4 as one of the control components 116. This vision system
is used to align
each tool with either an end fitting 50 or a thumbtack. The vision system
includes an analog
camera connected to an industrial computer running ATS SmartVision software.
The inspection
is triggered from the PLC via Ethernet. The vision system then reports the
location of the end
fitting 50 or thumbtack back to the PLC to adjust the position of the tool
accordingly. A stepper
goniometer allows the camera to be rotated to angular position.
[0037] In operation, the nuclear reactor core 6 is retubed by
providing the worktable 70
adjacent to an end-face 68 of a nuclear reactor core 6, the worktable 70
having a drive unit 78, 80
for movement relative to the nuclear reactor end face 68. Tooling for the
nuclear reactor
retubing operation is supported on the worktable 70, and the worktable 70 is
positioned relative
to the end-face 68 of the nuclear reactor core 6 by controlling the drive unit
78, 80. Thus, the
tooling is located relative to the end face 68 of the nuclear reactor core 6.
More specifically, the
position of the tooling is coarsely and finely driven in the x direction by
the x-drive unit 78,
coarsely driven in the y direction by the RTP 76, and finely driven in the y
direction by the y-
drive unit 80.
9

CA 02766572 2012-01-16
=
Attorney Docket No. 027813-9030-CA00
[00381 Using end fitting removal tooling on the platforms 76 located on
opposite ends of the
reactor 6 (which can be identical, in some constructions), the end fittings 50
can be removed
simultaneously in a staggered fashion from opposite reactor faces 68 to
accommodate end fitting
flask trolley vault traffic. After end fitting removal, it may be necessary in
some cases to plug
the lattice site.
[00391 As illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, when the end fittings 50 of all the
fuel channel assemblies
28 have been removed, an extension 122 is mounted on a front 124 of the heavy
worktable 70 in
order to increase the z-axis range to allow for the longer tools used in
removal.
100401 Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a method and
apparatus for
retubing a nuclear reactor core. Various features and advantages of the
invention are set forth in
the following claims.

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , États administratifs , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

États administratifs

Titre Date
Date de délivrance prévu 2018-01-02
(22) Dépôt 2012-01-16
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public 2012-07-14
Requête d'examen 2016-10-20
(45) Délivré 2018-01-02

Historique d'abandonnement

Il n'y a pas d'historique d'abandonnement

Taxes périodiques

Dernier paiement au montant de 263,14 $ a été reçu le 2023-12-21


 Montants des taxes pour le maintien en état à venir

Description Date Montant
Prochain paiement si taxe applicable aux petites entités 2025-01-16 125,00 $
Prochain paiement si taxe générale 2025-01-16 347,00 $

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Les taxes sur les brevets sont ajustées au 1er janvier de chaque année. Les montants ci-dessus sont les montants actuels s'ils sont reçus au plus tard le 31 décembre de l'année en cours.
Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des paiements

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Montant payé Date payée
Le dépôt d'une demande de brevet 400,00 $ 2012-01-16
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 2 2014-01-16 100,00 $ 2014-01-03
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 3 2015-01-16 100,00 $ 2015-01-13
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 4 2016-01-18 100,00 $ 2016-01-04
Requête d'examen 800,00 $ 2016-10-20
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 5 2017-01-16 200,00 $ 2017-01-04
Taxe finale 300,00 $ 2017-11-09
Taxe de maintien en état - Demande - nouvelle loi 6 2018-01-16 200,00 $ 2017-12-15
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 7 2019-01-16 200,00 $ 2019-01-15
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 8 2020-01-16 200,00 $ 2020-01-10
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 9 2021-01-18 204,00 $ 2021-01-08
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 10 2022-01-17 255,00 $ 2021-12-16
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 11 2023-01-16 254,49 $ 2022-12-16
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 12 2024-01-16 263,14 $ 2023-12-21
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
S.O.
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
Documents

Pour visionner les fichiers sélectionnés, entrer le code reCAPTCHA :



Pour visualiser une image, cliquer sur un lien dans la colonne description du document. Pour télécharger l'image (les images), cliquer l'une ou plusieurs cases à cocher dans la première colonne et ensuite cliquer sur le bouton "Télécharger sélection en format PDF (archive Zip)" ou le bouton "Télécharger sélection (en un fichier PDF fusionné)".

Liste des documents de brevet publiés et non publiés sur la BDBC .

Si vous avez des difficultés à accéder au contenu, veuillez communiquer avec le Centre de services à la clientèle au 1-866-997-1936, ou envoyer un courriel au Centre de service à la clientèle de l'OPIC.


Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Abrégé 2012-01-16 1 18
Description 2012-01-16 10 525
Dessins 2012-01-16 9 398
Revendications 2012-01-16 4 147
Dessins représentatifs 2012-03-13 1 33
Page couverture 2012-07-10 1 64
Taxe finale 2017-11-09 2 69
Dessins représentatifs 2017-12-04 1 23
Page couverture 2017-12-04 1 56
Cession 2012-01-16 6 171
Ordonnance spéciale 2016-10-20 1 53
Ordonnance spéciale - Verte acceptée 2016-10-24 1 30
Demande d'examen 2016-12-08 5 244
Modification 2017-03-02 17 897
Dessins 2017-03-02 9 402
Revendications 2017-03-02 4 140
Description 2017-03-02 10 521