Abstract: A remotely controlled tooling apparatus is disclosed for supporting and selectively disposing a tool with respect to a workpiece illustratively taking the form of a core barrel of a nuclear reactor. Illustratively, a core barrel is of a substantially cylindrical configuration and has a plurality of flow holes disposed therethrough. The remotely controlled apparatus comprises a tool carriage, a support table carried thereby for receiving the tool, a strongback assembly for supporting and guiding the tool carriage with respect to the core barrel, and a pair of clamps affixed to the strongback assembly for engaging the core barrel for suspending the strongback assembly upon the core barrel. The tool carriage and its support table carried thereby are selectively disposed with respect to the core barrel, whereby the tool may be engaged and disengaged with and from the core barrel.

Abstract: A laser welding beam transport system is provided in which the laser beam 14 emanating from the laser generator 10 is expanded in diameter in an expander 16 at a location close to the generator, and then is transported in its expanded diameter to a remote location where the beam is reduced in diameter in a beam reducer 26 at a location close to the welding station 28 for the purpose of maintaining a relatively constant power density of the beam at the station over a significant range of working travel of the working station.

Abstract: A plurality of pivotal reflectors direct a high-power laser beam onto a workpiece, and a rotatable reflector is movable to a position wherein it intercepts the beam and deflects a major portion thereof away from its normal path, the remainder of the beam passing to the pivotal reflectors through an aperture in the rotating reflector. A plurality of targets are movable to positions intercepting the path of light traveling to the pivotal reflectors, and a preliminary adjustment of the latter is made by use of a low-power laser beam reflected from the rotating reflector, after which the same targets are used to make a final adjustment of the pivotal reflectors with the portion of the high-power laser beam passed through the rotating reflector.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a support table mounted for movement toward and away from a workpiece and carrying a mirror which directs a cutting laser beam onto the workpiece. A carrier is rotatably and pivotally mounted on the support table between the mirror and workpiece and supports a conduit discharging gas toward the point of impingement of the laser beam on the workpiece. Means are provided for rotating the carrier relative to the support table to place the gas discharging conduit in the proper positions for cuts made in different directions on the workpiece.

Abstract: A remotely controlled tooling apparatus is disclosed for supporting and selectively disposing a tool with respect to a workpiece illustratively taking the form of a core barrel of a nuclear reactor. Illustratively, a core barrel is of a substantially cylindrical configuration and has a plurality of flow holes disposed therethrough. The remotely controlled apparatus comprises a tool carriage, a support table carried thereby for receiving the tool, a strongback assembly for supporting and guiding the tool carriage with respect to the core barrel, and a pair of clamps affixed to the strongback assembly for engaging the core barrel for suspending the strongback assembly upon the core barrel. The tool carriage and its support table carried thereby are selectively disposed with respect to the core barrel, whereby the tool may be engaged and disengaged with and from the core barrel.