pipe handling arm for handling facilities, especially for nuclear reactors

摘要

963,961. Fuelling reactors. COMMUNAUTE EUROPEENNE DE L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE (EURATOM). Jan. 2, 1963 [Jan. 23, 1962], No. 294/63. Heading G6C. [Also in Division B8] A manipulator arm for inserting fuel elements or samples into a reactor core comprises two similar chain-like assemblies one assembly having inter-pivoted link members 1a, 1b 1c &c. and the other assembly having link members 2a, 2b, 2c &c. Adjacent members of each assembly are interconnected by pivot assemblies A; also, each member of either chain (e.g. member la) is adapted to be releasably coupled with both adjacent link members of the other chain (e.g. members 2a and 2b) by an automatically releasable coupling device B. The link members are shell-like and when the two chains are coupled together as in Fig. 1 they form a rigid tubular arm to the end of which tools may be connected. Each link member has outwardly extending side flanges 3 provided with a cut-out 4 and the front end of each flange, having regard to the direction of motion F of the chain, has fixed thereto a bearing ring 9 forming part of the assembly A. The rings 9 of each link member are journalled on shafts 6 extending laterally from the rear end of the preceding link member, the shafts also carrying rollers 12 co-operating with guide rails (not shown). Each coupling device B comprises a two-armed lever 15 pivotally mounted for adjustment about a pivot 16 at the front end of each side flange 3 of each of the link members. Each lever is clamped in its adjusted position by nuts 18, 19 co-operating with a threaded shank 17 connected at 20 to the rear arm of the lever and with the flange 3 on which the lever is mounted, the forward arm 24 of the lever engaging the outer surface of a flange 3 of a link member appertaining to the opposite chain. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, arm 24 of the lever 15 mounted at the front end of link member 2b engages a flange 3 of link member 1a, and the flange 3 of member 2b together with flange 3 of the preceding link member 2a are held against the flange 3 of the link member 1a of the opposite chain to form a rigid assembly. Lateral displacement between the two chains is prevented by rods 22 on one chain co-operating with grooves 21 in the other. In use, the two chains when in idle condition are wound in separate coil drums and these coils are rotated in opposite directions to bring the chains together to form a rigid arm as in Fig. 3, the chains meeting one another tangentially such that the levers 15 of one chain enter the cut-outs 4 of the other chain and engage the flanges 3 of the other chain. Specification 963,962 is referred to.