Apparatus for disposing of radioactive fuel channels

Apparatus for disposing of a radioactive rectangular tubular fuel channel comprising elongated housing means for containing therein the tubular channel, and cutter means, mounted on said housing means, for cutting the channel along each longitudinal corner thereof until the channel is severed into four side plates, wherein said cutter means is mounted for longitudinal movement along the longitudinal corners of the tubular channel;

• said apparatus further comprising motive means for longitudinally moving said cutter means along each longitudinal corner until the channel is severed into four substantially equal rectangular side plates, said motive means comprising cable and pulley means, connected between said housing means and said cutter means, for producing the longitudinal movement of said cutter blades;
• said apparatus further comprising hydraulic means, mounted on the outside of said housing means, for driving said cable and pulley means in a reciprocating motion, said hydraulic means including a reciprocable piston coupled to said cable and pulley means, said cable and pulley means providing a mechanical advantage such that each stroke of said cutter blades is a multiple of each stroke of said piston.

Apparatus for disposing of a radioactive rectangular tubular fuel channel comprising elongated housing means for containing therein the tubular channel, and cutter means, mounted on said housing means, for cutting the channel along each longitudinal corner thereof until the channel is severed into four side plates;

• said apparatus further comprising mandrel means, secured to said housing means, and adapted to be disposed inside the tubular channel along at least a portion of the length thereof, said mandrel means being positioned inside each longitudinal corner opposite said cutter means to rotationally and axially position the tubular channel and to maintain its rectangular geometry during the cutting operation.