Pipe Cutting Device with Gravity Basket for Radioactive Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cutting pipe/tube bundles in steam generators, such as band sawing and grinding, result in disorganized tube placement, increased operator exposure to contamination or radioactivity, and high dust generation, requiring extensive human labor and frequent tool changes.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a high-speed circular saw blade (600 rpm and higher) with a manipulator for cutting, where cut tubes are caught in a basket positioned below the cutting point by gravity, allowing for automatic tube collection and transport without additional clamping, minimizing operator exposure and ensuring organized tube placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If band sawing is used to cut pipe bundles, then cutting can be performed, but tubes fall in a disorganized manner requiring increased human labor for orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device automatically orients and collects cut tubes through the manipulator's controlled movement and the basket's positioning system, eliminating the need for manual orientation work. The system serves itself by automatically managing tube collection and arrangement without human intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the casing is removed before cutting tubes, then tube cutting is possible, but excessive operator exposure to contamination or radioactivity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cutting operation, enabling remote control of the cutting process. The operator controls the manipulator from a safe distance, and the automated basket collection system further mediates tube handling, minimizing direct operator exposure to contaminated environments.
3Productivity
If a grinding disc is used for cutting with simultaneous rotation of the steam generator, then cutting can be performed, but significant dust is generated requiring frequent tool changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the grinding disc mechanical system with a band saw cutting system. This substitution eliminates the significant dust generation associated with grinding while maintaining effective cutting capability. The band saw's continuous blade design also eliminates the need for frequent tool changes required by grinding discs.
4Force
If low-speed saw blade is used for cutting, then cutting force is high, but extreme rigidity demands are placed on the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the speed parameter of the saw blade from low-speed to high-speed operation. This parameter change reduces the cutting force required while maintaining effective cutting performance, thereby eliminating the extreme rigidity demands placed on the manipulator carrier structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient, automated cutting and collection of tubes, reducing operator exposure and labor, while maintaining high productivity and ensuring organized tube transport for further processing, suitable for radioactive or contaminated environments.
Implementation Method 1
The device uses a high-speed circular saw blade for cutting (600 rpm and higher), which generates lower cutting forces than a standard low-speed blade
Implementation Method 2
The cut tubes are caught in a basket that is loosely mounted pivotally around the axis of rotation of the saw blade, which by gravity ensures that the basket is always positioned below the cutting point
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device for cutting pipes in a bundle without additional clamping comprises a high-speed saw blade (1) (600 rpm and higher) with a drive (2) which is guided into the cut by a manipulator (3) or other mechanism providing the movement of the blade in the cutting plane. The cut pipes (4) are caught in a basket (5) loosely mounted pivotally about the axis of rotation of the high-speed saw blade (1), which by gravity ensures that the basket (5) is always positioned below the cutting point. Between the high-speed saw blade (1) and the basket (5) there is a baffle (6) preventing undesired contact of the falling pipe with the blade. A support plate (7) is fixed on the basket (5) in the path of the falling pipe, preventing the pipe from falling obliquely into the basket (5).