Abstract: A saddle with two cutting stations, i.e., front and rear openings, moves forward and backward horizontally within a chassis. The rear opening includes a cutting blade. The chassis includes a front counter blade. A magazine holds a tube bundle and includes a rear face clamp and rear counter blade. In a first cutting operation, skirting at the base of the tube bundle is placed in the front opening and is cut by first moving the saddle rearward against the rear face clamp and rear counter blade, and then frontward against the front counter-blade. In a second cutting operation, the tube bundle is placed in the rear opening. As the saddle is moved frontward, the cutting blade in the rear opening cooperates with the front counter-blade on the chassis to cut the tubes. This second cutting operation is continued until the tubes are cut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making a sealed connection of adaptable length suitable for interconnecting two pipes whose axes are not necessarily in alignment. The device in accordance with the invention comprises a flange placed on each pipe with each flange being provided with a spherical bearing surface on its end face and with a spherical bearing surface on its opposite face. A central tube has a thrust member mounted at each end thereof, each thrust member including a void for receiving at least one spacer. The tube is also provided with a flange which serves to bring the spacer against a sealing ring pressed against the end face of the flange by being clamped to a backing flange. The backing flange has a spherical surface that cooperates with the spherical surface of the opposite face of the pipe-mounted flange. At least one of said thrust members receives at least two spacers separated by sealing ring. The invention also provides a clamping method.

Abstract: In a pool type storage system for storing radioactive waste submerged within water therein, autonomous, dismountable, multi-section exchange units are provided which are submerged directly within the water of the reservoir for effecting heat or ion exchanges on the water without pumping the water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A bundle of tubes filled with nuclear fuel is positioned in a machine with the lower end of the bundle adjacent a first rotary cutter which is operated to sever the lower ends of the tubes after which the bundle is moved to a position adjacent a second rotary cutter where the tubes are cut into short lengths by teeth carried by a second rotary cutter.

Abstract: Joining apparatus between a container equipped in its upper part with a plug and the wall of a discharge enclosure provided with a horizontal orifice in the lower part thereof and located above said container, wherein the container is provided in its upper part with an adapting ring with respect to said wall and a second protective ring for the plug and the orifice is sealed by a detachable cover having gripping means and resting on a seat connected to said wall of the discharge enclosure.The apparatus is used for the dry transfer of fuel elements or nuclear waste to a reprocessing plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for cutting a bundle of irradiated nuclear fuel tubes so as to cut the fuel into pieces of a suitable length for subsequent operation.According to the invention the fuel tubes are moved from the storage pond by manipulating means to the store of the cutting machine. Means is provided for detecting the position of the bottom end of the bundle with respect to a cutting section in the cutter by means of a movable reference plate so as to enable the bundle to be moved to an operative position in which the first cut can be made in the immediate neighborhood of the base spigot. The arrangement also includes means for moving the bundle forwards while adjusting its position between two cutting operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for cutting a bundle of tubes containing a nuclear fuel into pieces having a preset length so that the fuel can be dissolved in a suitable solution.The bundle of tubes is introduced into a guide tube in a shearing machine and is clamped by two side clamps within the tube so as to limit the width of the bundle to the diameter of one tube of the bundle. The side clamps subject the bundle to a sideways thrust so that the tubes in the bundle are maintained contiguous without any excessive curvature. The bundle of tubes is then submitted to a cutting operation at right angles to its major dimension and after the blade has been returned to its inoperative position a safety plate is positioned near the cut section at a distance slightly greater than the forward movement of the bundle between two successive cutting operations. The side clamps are then withdrawn by a limited amount so that the resilience of the tubes causes them to remain in contact with the clamps.