Tool support and guide system for repair of boiler tube panels and process for carrying out repair using same

摘要

A tool support and guide assembly for use in repairing boiler tube panels includes a support carriage mountable upon a guide rail that has been previously installed to enable a panel saw tool to be guided along a straight cut line. The support carriage includes a second guide rail conforming in configuration to the first installed guide rail and which extends perpendicularly to the first rail towards the line of cut tube ends. A similar or the same panel saw is mounted on a carriage that is roller guided along the second rail for cutting the membrane between the tubes of the tube panel. A tube end preparation tool is also roller guided along the second guide rail to enable its positioning above each of the cut tube ends so that each tube can be machined (i.e., beveled) in preparation for welding thereto of a replacement tube panel. The perpendicular rails provide a simple guide assembly for accurately locating the saw and the tube end preparation tool. Both rails conform in configuration for receiving identical sets of guide rollers so the panel saw can be interchangeably used with either rail.