REMOTELY ACTUATED METAL DISINTEGRATION MACHINE APPARATUS

摘要

A metal disintegration apparatus for performing work on a portion of a workpiece in a confined location which includes an electrode, and an electrode holder for movably holding, positioning and supporting the electrode at a desired remote location. A vibration feeder is coupled to the electrode so that the electrode can be vibrated relative to the electrode holder while the electrode holder is stationary and the electrode can be advanced to perform cutting. Preferably an air-cushioned reciprocating piston type pneumatic oscillator sends vibrations through a frictionless actuator cable supported by an articulated arm to vibrate the electrode. The vibration feeder is located in a position remote to that of the electrode and therefore the metal disintegration apparatus is ideally suited for work at remote locations such as those encountered in steam generators of nuclear reactors.