GB985761A - Drilling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

985,761. Drilling machines. COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. Feb. 5, 1963 [Feb. 5, 1962], No. 4624/63. Heading B3C. A drilling machine for piercing both ends of a fuel cartridge 3, Fig. 3, which has been used in a nuclear reactor, comprises a central cylinder 1 formed with a central passage 2 adapted to receive the cartridge and open at both ends, a top and bottom carriage each having a member 15, 16 for sealing the central passage of the cylinder, and a drilling assembly 19 whose drilling means 19 2 extends through the member. A combined motor and reduction train 17, Figs. 4 and 5, rotates the drilling means and each carriage is guided and controlled for movement relative to the cylinder. Ducts in the members connect the top and bottom of the cartridge to means for recovering the gases and liquids released from the cartridge when the latter is drilled. Cylinder 1 is pivotally mounted on a column 35, Fig. 6, and comprises supports 6, 7, Fig. 3, for the cartridge which is inserted in the cylinder when members 15, 16 are retracted. Parts 13, 25, Figs. 3-5, for providing negative pressure, and parts 27, 30 for removing gases and liquids respectively from the cartridge after drilling, are provided. Each driving unit comprising a motor 17, a clutch 18, and a drill 192, is secured to a support 31, Fig. 6, secured to columns 32 slidable in bearings 33 on a supporting plate 34 secured to columns 35, whose ends 37 rest on a base 38. The movement of each support 31 is controlled by a combined motor and reduction unit 39, Figs. 4 and 7, which drives a screw 41 co-operating with a nut 31, forming part of support 31. Members 15, 16 are urged into sealed engagements with cylinder 1 after loading a cartridge, by springs 44, Figs. 4, 5, and the drill feed is provided by unit 39.