Severing of tubes in steam generator.

摘要

57 Apparatus for severing primary tubes (47) of steam generator of a nuclear reactor. The tubes are under water because they are radioactive and also because it is undesirable to expose the tubes to oxidation. The tubes are in a confined region of the steam generator affording limited access for cutting. The apparatus includes a cutting file (81) whose cutting surface is circular. The file is located wholly outside the tube in the region where the tube is clamped within cooperative clamps (105,141) which secure the tube for cutting. The file is rotated in cutting engagement with the tube by an air motor (113). The file is mounted on a slider (97) which is pulled by a cable (109) causing the file to cut through the tube.