Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Disassembling
Patent
1988-06-22
1990-02-27
Eley, Timothy V.
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Disassembling
294261, B23P 1904
Patent
active
049033921
ABSTRACT:
A method for removing metallic plugs from conduits such as the heat exchanger tubes in a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. In such tubes, plugs formed from a cylindrical shell of Inconel are radially expanded in sealing engagement with the open end of an Inconel tube mounted in a tubesheet by pulling down a cork-shaped expander element disposed in wedging engagement with the shell. The method of the invention removes such plugs by pushing the expander element from the open end back to the closed end of the shell, and then heating the shell to a temperature which substantially lessens its tensile yield while applying a tensile force along the longitudinal axis of the plug shell sufficient to elongate it. In the method, an electrically conductive push-rod is utilized which simultaneously conducts a substantial current of electricity through the plug shell while pushing against the closed end thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4237937 (1980-12-01), Healy, Sr.
patent: 4290543 (1981-09-01), Larson
patent: 4298054 (1981-11-01), Adamowski
patent: 4310029 (1982-01-01), Dudek
patent: 4366617 (1983-01-01), Nanstiel et al.
patent: 4386458 (1983-06-01), Evans
patent: 4390042 (1983-06-01), Kucherer et al.
patent: 4394202 (1983-07-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 4409731 (1983-10-01), Campbell
patent: 4425943 (1984-01-01), Martin
patent: 4425944 (1984-01-01), Heuckelbach et al.
patent: 4591068 (1986-05-01), Tolino et al.
patent: 4598738 (1986-07-01), Weber et al.
patent: 4800637 (1989-01-01), Overbay
U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 819,084, filed 1/15/86 by Phillip J. Hawkins, "Tube Plug Removal Machine".
U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 050,799, filed 5/18/87 by James W. Everett et al., "Improved System and Method for Removing a Plug From a Heat Exchanger".
Ciferno Eugene P.
Everett James W.
Fulmer George D.
Hosley Roy D.
Shirey Ray A.
DePaul L. A.
Eley Timothy V.
Vo Peter D. B.
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
LandOfFree
Method for removing a metallic plug from a tube by simultaneousl does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for removing a metallic plug from a tube by simultaneousl, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for removing a metallic plug from a tube by simultaneousl will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-164638