US2871361A - Calutron assembling and disassembling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27, 1959 R. E. ANDREWS CALUTRON ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

lllllllllllllllllll ROM/v0 ANDREW;

W- M ATTORNEY.

R. E. ANDREWS Jam 27, 1959 CALUTRON ASSEMBLING AND DISASSE'MBLING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 G Kim 3 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 27, 1959 2,871,361

CALUTRON ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1946 I R. E. ANDREWS s Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY.

.CALUTRON ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING APPARATUS Roland E. Andrews, Watertown, Mass., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the United States Atomic Energy Commission Application March 28, 1946, Serial No. 657,634

8 Claims. (Cl. 250-413) The present invention relates to the art of treating a polyisotopic substance to produce a plurality of segregable masses wherein the distribution of the constituent isotopes has been altered so that one of the masses produced is enriched with respect to at least one isotope. The purpose of such treatment is to obtain a product characterized by an enhancement of the percentage of a selected isotope. More specifically, the invention relates to a device known as a calutron, a term whose definition is any apparatus or machine where istope separation or enrichment is achieved on a large scale yielding commercially useful quantities of one or more isotopes, by appropriate'separative action on gaseous ions'with electrostatic or electromagnetic means or combinations of them.

The foregoing definition has been taken from U. S. Patent No. 2,709,222, issued May 24, 1955, to Ernest 0. Lawrence. In that patent, the theory of isotopic separation and the principles of operation of a calutron are fully set forth, and will not here be repeated.

It may be stated generally, however, that the calu-' tron to which this invention relates comprises essentially an, evacuated tank'disposed in a strong, substantially uniform magnetic field, and a source and a receiver located within thetank.

The source includes an ionizing arc chamber having an electron emitting cathode associated therewith. The

are chamber has an exit slit openingout into the tank,

andspaced from the slit are two mutually spaced accelcrating electrodes carried at a relatively high negative potential with respect to the arc chamber. As a result of this potential difference, positiveions'formed in the arc chamber are drawn out through the slit, and are projectedin a slightly divergent beam into the tank.

A continuous supply ,of material, theisotopes of which are to'be separated, is provided in the arc chamher. This may conveniently be accomplished by providing a charge reservoir in communication with the arc chamber; and't'he material or a suitable compound thereof may be provided in the charge reservoir. The charge .material may then be heated, .and its vapor caused to flow at a controlled rate into the arc chamber, where ions of the several isotopes are formed and projected into the .beam previously described. 7

The beam of positive ions of the polyisotopic substance j is projected through the magnetic field in a direction normal'to the field, and the beam is caused ther'eby lto follow an arcuate path wherein the ions of the heavier. isotope tend .to concentrate in the region adjacent to the outer periphery. From geometric considerations there'results a substantial focusing of ions of thesame isotope after approximately 180 of travel, and selective collection of isotopesmay b'e'made at this location.

Reference was previously made to the fact that the interior of theatank is evacuated. It has been found that best results .areachieved when the tank pressure is on the order of 10 to 10 mm. Hg. Due to the fact that the tank is evacuated, as described, it is necessary that the tank be of very massive construction to withstand the atmospheric pressure to which it is subjected.

The tank comprises a substantially rectangular vessel' which in a practical embodiment has the following approximate dimensions: height twelve feet, depth seven and one-half feet, and width two feet. The tank is open along one of its narrow edges and is closed by a removable face plate which is approximately two by twelve feet in size and weighs approximately 3500' pounds. The ion separating mechanism mounted on theface plate extends within the tank to a distance'of ap-- proximately seven and one-quarter feet when the face plate is in position. This ion separating mechanism is relatively delicate, and great care must be exercised to prevent damage thereto during removal from the tank.. Furthermore, the face plate is sealed to the tank, suitable sealing gaskets being employed, and the periphery is tightly clamped to the edges of the tank opening by a' plurality of bolts or clamping devices. It is therefore necessary to provide a support for the face plate which will sustain its weight and insure proper registry with the tank opening while the bolts or clamping devices are engaged or disengaged.

'With the foregoing general description in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide face plate supporting means effective to hold the face plate in reg istry with the opening in the calutron tank during engagement and disengagement of the face plate securing" 'It is a further object of the present invention to provide a calutron having a face plate removably secured to the calutron tank and having means associated. with the tank and face plate for preventing injuryto the ion separating mechanism carried-by the faceplate,

during insertion in and withdrawal from the tank.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a calutron having a face plate adapted. to close an open side thereof, in which the face plateis hinged adjacent the top of the tank in such a manner as to provide for guided withdrawal of the ion sepa rating mechanism carried by the face plate.

A feature of the present inventionis theprovision' of a'spring-type hinge for the face plate which will prevent; injury to the sealing gasket normally provided between) during insertion in and withdrawal from the tank;

A further feature of the invention is the provisiorn of a hinged support for the face plate comprising readily separable hinge elements, so that the face plate may first be swung outwardly from its operative position far enough to clear the ion separating mechanism carried thereby, and may thereafter be elevated and transported by the conventional overhead crane.

'A further feature of the invention is in the provision of a spring latch adjacent the bottom of the calutron.

face plate which will retain the face plate in'closin'g relation to the tank.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of.

motor means, such as a piston and cylinder, connected toa cable operable to swing the face plate to closed relation Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the section of -a calutron racetrack showing a single tank positioned between a pair of electromagnets;v Fig. 3 is a side elevation Patented Jan. 27, 1959 {v a face plate suspended from an overhead crane provided with a chain fall for swinging the face plate about a horizontal axis;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a slightly different embodiment ofmy invention;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 2 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the hinged supporting structure shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the spring latch illustrated in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the calutron referred to is preferably arranged in a so-called racetrack, in which a plurality of tanks 10 are alternated between a series of electromagnets 11, the series of tanks and magnets preferably being provided in the form of a closed geometric figure so that there is a continuous path for magnetic flux through the series of tanks and magnets. A portion of the racetrack is indicated in Fig. 2, which shows a complete tank and magnet and indicates the relationship of the next tank and magnet in the series.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 1, the tank 10, supported on a plurality of platforms 18, is substantially rectangular in shape, and has an open side at the right as shown in Fig. 1. The open side of the tank 10 is adapted to be closed by the removable face plate 12, which is shown in closed position in full lines and in partially open position in dotted lines in this figure.

Projecting inwardly from the face plate is an ion separating mechanism which comprises essentially a transmitter unit 13, a receiver unit 14, and a liner structure which interconnects the transmitter and receiver. In the embodiment illustrated, the transmitter 13 is a double transmitter having a pair of ion generating devices 16 which are associated with suitable accelerating mechanism, not shown in detail. For a detailed description of this type of ion separating mechanism, reference is made to U. S. Patent No. 2,714,664, issued August 2, 1955, to Ernest 0. Lawrence.

The receiver 14 is likewise a double receiver having a pair of pocket members 17, each of which is adapted to receive a selected portion of the beam transmitted from the corresponding transmitter element, all as described in the last mentioned patent.

The liner 15, which extends between the transmitter 13 and the receiver 14, is for the primary purpose of maintaining the beams between the transmitters and receivers in a substantially field-free space. As will be apparent from the drawing, the ion separating mechanism extends to a substantial depth within the tank when the face plate is in operative relationship thereto. The ion separating mechanism is relatively delicate, and during insertion in and removal from the tank, care must be exercised to avoid injury thereto. Since the face plate is a massive iron element weighing approximately 3500 pounds, it is essential that apparatus be provided to prevent injury to the ion separating mechanism which might otherwise result and to support the face plate during engagement and disengagement of the means securing the face plate to the calutron tank.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus which supports the face plate and prevents injury to the ion separating mechanism takes the form of hinge means for the face plate which serves as a support and guide for the face plate during insertion in and removal from the calutron tank.

More specifically, the face plate 12 is provided adjacent its upper edge with a pair of brackets 24), interconnected by a hinge pin 21 adapted to be received in an open-topped hinge supporting bracket 22 mounted on top of the tank. The brackets are pivoted to forwardly projecting lugs 23, and springs 24- mounted on bolts 25 are interposed between the front of the face plate and the brackets 20 in a manner to bias the brackets 20 outwardly about their pivot connection to thelugs 23. The purd pose of this type of mounting is to permit slight movement of the face plate relative to its hinge axis as it is swung toward a closed position, so as to prevent pinching or otherwise injuring or damaging the sealing gaskets 26 which are provided around the opening in the calutron tank.

Clamping devices including eye bolts 30 are provided adjacent the bottom of the calutron tank. The bolts 30 are pivoted, as indicated at 31, to lugs 32 depending from the bottom surface of the face plate, and are provided with clamping elements 33 and tightening nuts 34. As can be seen in Fig. l, the clamping devices will retain the face plate in closed relation to the tank until released. It will be appreciated that due to the weight of the ion separating mechanism carried by the face plate, the center of gravity of the face plate and the associated mechanism will extend substantially to the left of the pivot pin 21 when the face plate is in closed relation. During operation of the calutron, the face plate is tightly secured to the tank by a series of clamping bolts, not shown. When it is desired to remove the face plate and associated structure, clamping devices 33 are locked into position against the bottom lower edge of the face plate, after which the bolts referred to may be removed and the face plate will be retained in substantially closed relation by virtue of the clamping devices 33.

At this time, a chain 40 may be secured to eye bolts 41 projecting from the outer surface of the face plate, and the face plate and associated structure released by releasing the clamping elements 33. This will permit the face plate to swing forwardly about the pivot axis 21 substantially to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 1, from which position it may be swung further about the pivot pin 21 to substantially horizontal position if desired, after which it may be elevated by an ordinary overhead crane and transported to a desired position.

Preferably, the chain 40 is passed over a sprocket 42 and the sprocket 42 may be actuated through suitable conventional mechanism by a cable or chain fall 43 to rock the sprocket 42, and hence the face plate 12, to a desired position. In Fig. 3, the face. plate is shown in full lines in horizontal position, and in dotted lines .in a position in which the receiver end is lowered for convenient access. Itwill be appreciated that the gear may be reversed and the face plate be swung to the opposite position, in which the ion transmitter mechanism is lowermost.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, I have illustrated a substantially similar arrangement which, however, differs in details, as will now be pointed out. In these figures, the face plate 12 is hinged to the tank 10 by a hinge structure indicated generally at 50, the hinge structure being shown in detail in Fig. 6 and comprising an open-topped hinge element 51 pivoted, as indicated at 52, to a plate 53 welded or otherwise secured to the top of the calutron tank. Hinge element 51 has a projecting ear 54 which is apertured for the reception of a bolt 55, to which is secured a keeper 56 and a locknut 57. A

strong compression spring 58 is retained in position between the keeper 56 and the ear 54 of the hinge element 51. The face plate 12 is provided adjacent its upper surface with a pair of brackets 60 having rearwardly turned portions 61 to which are secured a transverse pivot pin 62. It will be apparent that the face plate 12 may be handled in substantially the same manner as the face plate illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, in that it may swing forwardly about the axis of the pin 62 to a position determined by the center of gravity, it may thereafter be further swung about the axis of the pin 62 to substantially horizontal position by means of an overhead crane, and finally may be lifted clear of the hinge elements 51and transported to a desired position.

The function of the spring 58 and the pivot mounting 52 for the hinge element 51 is substantially the same as the similar structure shown in Fig. 1. In other words,

26 provided in the face therein. I p I It will be understood that the face plate 12 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is likewise provided with the eyebolts 41 to which a chain 40. may be secured and which may coof the tank for sealing the opening operate with a sprocket 42 prov all as described in connectionwith-Fig:3. a j v Referring now particularly to ,Fig.;7, I have illustrated a spring latch indicated generally at 70, which is useful during attachment of the face plate to the calutron tank. The spring latch comprises plates 71, pivoted as indicated at 72 to eats 73 depending. from the bottom surface of the; calutron tank. The plates 71 have spring seats 74 formedthreon provided with ,upwardly projecting centering pins 75 over which, cornpression springs 76 are mounted. The springs 76 are retained in position against the under snrface. of theicalutron tank by means of depending pins, 77. As willbe apparent, springs 76 con stantly bias the plates 71 in a counter-clockwise direction as seenin Fig. 7. r i I jacent the forward edges of the plates '71areprovidedrollei's178 which are adapted to engage the forward lowefsurface of the face-plateandtoretain the same in closed r'elat'ion to the tank. Adjacent the bottom of the" plates 71*is-a crosspin 79, adapted to be engaged by a hook 80 provided 'onacablefil; for a purpose which will later appear.

"Referring no'W'to'Fig. 4, I have illustrated motor means in the form of a fluid-operated piston and cylinder 85, which includes a projecting piston rod 86 having an operative connection to the cable 81 previously referred to. The cable 81 passes around a pulley 87 secured to an appropriate part of the calutron supporting mechanism and terminates in the hook 80 previously referred to. The face plate 12 has adjacent its lower surface a cross pin 88 which is formed for cooperation with the hook 80. In operation, replacement of the calutron face plate on the tank is accomplished as will now be described. The face plate is brought by the overhead hoist into position such that the cross pin 62 may be seated in the open tops of the hinge elements 51. It will be observed that the open top of each hinge element 51 is provided with tapered sides to serve as a guide whereby the pin 62 may enter therein without being brought into exact registry with its ultimate axis of operation. Thereafter, the face plate is lowered about the axis of the pivot pin 62 until the cables loosen, which will take place when the center of gravity of the face plate and the associated structure is in a position underlying the axis of the pivot pin 62. Thereafter, the falls are detached from the eye bolts 41 and the face plate and associated structure will be in the dotted-line position illustrated in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the hook 80 may be engaged with the cross pin 88 and by suitable operation of the piston and cylinder device 85 the face plate may be swung to closed position. As the face plate moves to final closed position, the lower edge thereof engages the rollers 78 on the spring latch 70, and forces the same downwardly against the action of v the spring 76. When the face plate has reached final closed position, the spring latch 70 rotates counterclockwise about its pivot axis 72, and the rollers 78 roll up over the bottom edge of the face plate and will retain it in closed position. During this operation, as has been previously suggested, limited movement of the face plate relative to its pivot axis 62 is permitted by virtue of the spring mounting of the hinge elements 51. When the face plate has been latched in closed relation it may be bolted securely to the open side of the tank by a series of locking bolts (not shown).

When it is desired to remove the face plate and associated structure from the tank the operation is substantially reversed, except as will now be described. The first opera-j ided in the overhead hoist,

tion is to remove the clamping bolts which secure; theface. plate in sealing relation to the open side 'of the calutron tank. At this time, the face plate will be retained in sub: stantially closed position by virtue of the spring latch 70. It will be appreciated that a substantial force willibe required to release, the spring latch, since the face plate, as has been previously described, is a very massivemember. Accordingly, the piston and cylinder device 85 may be employed for this purpose, and specifically, hook may be engaged over the pin 79 and the'pis'ton rod 86 may be moved to the right as shown inFig. -4,,

thereby drawing 119 ho k 8 .0 to the left, thus moving the rollers '78 downwardly to a position in whichthey' clear the lower edge of the face plate 12, which will 'then swing forwardly to substantially the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 4.. Thereafter the chain' '4tl may be attached' to I the eye bolts 41 and the..hoist maybe operated first toQ swing the face plate to substantially horizontal position if; desired, and thereafter to elevate. and transport the face plate and associated structure as a unit.

,Attention is drawn to: the fact; that the illustrat" 1d mounting of the face plate provides for ve'ry .eflicient removal, since the hoist may. be operated tpswing the face plate to a position in which the ion separating mechaj m'sm clears the tank, and maythereafter elevate and trans port the face plate and associated mechanism,iall' in substantially a continuous movement. I It is further. pointed out that the present structure eflicientlyprevents injuryj to the rather delicate ionseparating mechanism, since so long as'the hinge elements supporting the faceplate are engaged, the ion sepafating'mechanism cannot possibly strike the side walls of the tank. In other words, the present mechanism insures against injury to the delicate ion separating mechanism, while providing for quick and easy removal, with the exercise only of ordinary operating skill.

While I have illustrated and described two specific embodiments of my invention, it will be appreciated that this has been done merely to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Assembling and disassembling apparatus for a calutron tank closely interposed between the parallel pole faces of a calutron magnet for producing a strong magnetic flux thereacross comprising a massive face plate constituting a closure for a major opening in said tank laterally defined by said pole faces and adapted to be removably secured in tank closing position across said opening, ion separating means carried by said face plate and projecting within said tank when said face plate is secured thereto, a sealing means interposed between said tank and said plate, hinge means supporting said plate upon said tank for movement of the ion separating means in a direction normal to said magnetic fiux, the axis of the fulcrum of said hinge means being parallel to the direction of said flux, compression spring means for cushioning the movement of said plate as it contacts said sealing means, and detachable clamping means for holding said plate to said tank in contact with said sealing means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring means is operatively disposed between said plate and said hinge means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sprlng means is operatively disposed between said tank and said hinge means.

4. Assembling and disassembling apparatus for a calutron tank closely interposed between the parallel pole faces of a calutron magnet for producing a strong magnetic flux thereacross comprising a massive face plate constituting a closure for a major opening in said tank laterally defined by said pole faces and adapted to be removably secured in 'tank closing position across Said opening, ion separating means carried by said face plate and projecting within said tank'whensaid'face plate'is secured thereto, a sealing means interposed between said tank and said plate, hinge means supporting said plate upon said tank for movement of the ion separating means in a direction normal to said magnetic flux, the axis of the fulcrum of said hinge means being parallel to the direction ofsaid flux, said face plate and attached ionseparat-ing assembly having a center of gravity operatively disposed substantiallyinwardly of the hinge axis so that said assembly normally assumes a partly open position with respect to said tank, spring means for cushioning the movement of said plateas it contacts said sealing means, and detachable clamping means disposed at a point on said tank at which said assembly tends to remain open and adapted to clamp said plate into closed position; in contact with said sealing means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said hinge means is mounted-adjacent the uppermost portion of said tank.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said clamping means is provided with a spring latch mechanism adapted to hold said face plate in closed assembled position.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the fulcrum of said hinge means is located in a vertical plane disposed inwardly of'said tank with respect to the vertical plane in which said plate is located.

8. In combination with a stationary 'calutron tank adapted to be evacuated and disposed between closely spacedmagnet pole faces serving to permeate the tank with a strong magnetic flux, in' a direction normal to said pole faces, said tank being aperturedin a lateral wall portion thereof lying between said pole faces, a calutron assembling and disassembling apparatus comprising, a removable closure for said tank aperture havin'g planar movement between said pole faces, means detachably pivoting said closure at. its upper and upon a mounting supported by the'top of said tank, ion separating means supported by said closure and adapted 'to move into and from said tank in a direction substantially normal to said flux, a seal disposed adjacent the edge of said tank and adapted to be engaged by said closure during operation of said calutron, and actuating means detachably engaging said closure adjacent the lower end thereof for effecting respectively a gradual and controlled engagement and disengagement of said seal'by said closure as said calutron is alternately assembled and disassembled.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESv PATENTS 1,194,386 Horton Aug. 15, 1916 1,421,002 Hagen June 27, 1922 1,610,479 Scott "Dec. 14, 1926 1,738,172 Judson et al. Dec. 3, 1929 2,287,661 Bone et a1 June 23, 1942 2,452,035 Chadwick et a1 Oct. 26, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,689 Great Britain Nov. 17, 1938

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