Enhanced device for piercing plugs in a steam generator
AssigneeAreva Np
InventorsEric Manneveau, Jean-Claude Simonato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An enhancing device for piercing plugs in a steam generator is provided. The enhancing device includes a main body, and a bit, borne by the main body and extending along a longitudinal axis. The bit may be driven into rotation around its longitudinal axis, in order to perform an action for piercing a plug. The device includes a hollow tubular element, extending along the longitudinal axis, while surrounding the bit and coaxially with this bit, the tubular element including an outer surface having a screwing thread, intended to be screwed onto the plug prior to the piercing. The tubular element may be driven into rotation around the longitudinal axis, independently of the rotation of the bit.
Claims9
A piercing device for piercing plugs in a steam generator comprising:
- a main body,
- a bit borne by the main body, the bit extending along a longitudinal axis, the bit being drivable into rotation around its longitudinal axis in order to perform an action for piercing a plug;
- a hollow tubular element extending along the longitudinal axis by surrounding the bit and being arranged coaxially with the bit, the hollow tubular element including an outer surface having a screwing thread for screwing onto the plug prior to piercing, the hollow tubular element being drivable into rotation around the longitudinal axis independently of the rotation of the bit;
- a first motor provided with a first output shaft;
- and
- a first driver for driving into rotation the bit around the longitudinal axis through the first output shaft,
- wherein the first output shaft is radially offset relative to the longitudinal axis, the first driver including at least one piercing drive pinion bound in rotation to the first output shaft and a piercing axis pinion bound in rotation to the bit, the piercing axis pinion being driven into rotation by the piercing drive pinion.
A method for piercing a plug in a steam generator, by means of a piercing device comprising:
- a main body;
- a bit, borne by the main body, and extending along a longitudinal axis, said bit being able to be driven into rotation around its longitudinal axis, in order to perform an action for piercing a plug,
- a hollow tubular element, extending along the longitudinal axis, by surrounding the bit and coaxially with this bit, the hollow tubular element comprising an outer surface having a screwing thread, intended to be screwed onto the plug prior to piercing, the hollow tubular element being able to be driven into rotation around the longitudinal axis, independently of the rotation of the bit;
- a first motor provided with a first output shaft;
- and
- a first driver for driving into rotation the bit around the longitudinal axis through the first output shaft,
- wherein the first output shaft is radially offset relative to the longitudinal axis, the first driver including at least one piercing drive pinion bound in rotation to the first output shaft and a piercing axis pinion bound in rotation to the bit, the piercing axis pinion being driven into rotation by the piercing drive pinion,
- the method comprising:
- a preliminary step for screwing the tubular element onto the plug, followed by a step for piercing the plug with the bit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.