Title:
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY POSITIONING A PRAPPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY POSITIONING A PROBE IN A TUBULAR MEMBER OBE IN A TUBULAR MEMBER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO1996013838
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for remotely positioning a probe, such as an examination or repair probe, in a tubular member. The tubular member may be a nuclear steam generator heat transfer tube to be examined or repaired by the probe. The probe is connected to a conduit which supports the probe as the probe advances along the inner diameter of the tube to the location of the tube requiring examination or repair. The conduit has a portion thereof wound about a take-up reel. As the probe and conduit advance in the tube, it unwinds from about the take-up reel. However, as the conduit unwinds from about the take-up reel, it may tend to develop a "kinked", twisted or contorted region therein inducing torsional stress in the conduit. Such torsional stress may be severe enough to break the conduit. The apparatus of the invention includes a gripper capable of gripping the conduit and also includes a rotator connected to the gripper for rotating both the gripper and the conduit gripped thereby. As the rotator rotates the gripper, the gripper and a portion of the conduit simultaneously rotate for removing the contorted region, so that the torsional stress induced in the conduit is relieved.
Inventors:
HAWKINS PHILLIP J
Application Number:
PCT/US1995/012654
Publication Date:
September 12, 1996
Filing Date:
October 02, 1995
Export Citation:
Assignee:
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP (US)
International Classes:
B65H63/00; F22B37/00; (IPC1-7): G21C17/017; F22C37/00
Foreign References:
| US4791293A | 1988-12-13 | |||
| FR2613835A1 | 1988-10-14 | |||
| FR2632111A1 | 1989-12-01 | |||
| FR2685687A1 | 1993-07-02 |
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