Abstract: The brazing wand comprises a hollow helically wound electrically conductive tubular member for conducting an electrical current and for conducting a coolant therethrough. The electrical current is used to heat a member to be brazed while the coolant is used to control the temperature of the brazing wand. The brazing wand also comprises an optical sensing device for determining and controlling the brazing temperature.

Abstract: The hollow tubular member or blank which is to serve as a sleeve for a corroded tube of the steam generator of a nuclear reactor plant and which is too long to be manipulated under the tube sheet of the reactor, is prebent into a shape such that it can be manipulated and is then progressively straightened under the tube sheet as it is progressively inserted into the tube. The straightener includes a plurality of grooved rolls mounted staggered and rotatable in a train. Each roll forms a channel engaging half of the periphery of the member. The contour of the engaging surface of each roll is the same as the contour of the member over half of its peripheral surface so that each roll mates with the member over half of its peripheral surface.

Abstract: Small portable electrical resistance heated radiant heating unit useful for insertion in tube bores to effect localized high temperature heating. Useful for the internal heating of tubes and tube/sleeve assemblies in steam generators, for brazing, stress relieving, and other applications. Has a machined mandrel of boron nitride and electrical resistance wire leads that have reduced electrical resistance for reduced heat generation by the leads. The leads preferably are braided, to permit the use of cramped connectors.

Abstract: A steam generator is provided which contains a manifold with a plurality of nozzles for breaking up and washing away sludge which has formed on the upper surface of its tube sheet. The manifold is rigidly attached to the upper surface of the tube sheet and remains in place during conventional operation of the steam generator. The portions of the present invention which are contained within the steam generator do not contain any moving parts and, thus, does not require human intervention in close proximity to components of the steam generator which may be possibly radioactive. High velocity streams of water are used to break up and remove sludge from the upper surface of the tube sheet and openings are provided through the wall of the steam generator for removal of the slurry in which the sludge is entrained.

Abstract: A reactor coolant pump motor has an annular oil pot encircling the vertical motor shaft and containing lubricating oil to a predetermined normal level. A plurality of secondary oil containers are equidistantly spaced around the perimeter of the oil pot, each secondary container having a flat planar bottom surface disposed substantially at the normal oil level of the oil pot. A plurality of conduits provide liquid communication between the bottom of the oil pot and the bottoms of the secondary containers. Each secondary container is substantially closed, but vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator including a frame having a substantially flat plate, with a hollow drill bit mounted thereon and movable generally perpendicularly with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position. An elongated retaining pin extends through the hollow drill bit and therebeyond having threads on one end thereof for attachment to the plug to be drilled. Actuating means moves the drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, motor means is mounted on the frame for rotating the drill bit. An air-water mixture is introduced near where the drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, the water being present in an amount of about one-half volume percent, and a vacuum is used to collect and remove the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.

Abstract: Process and monitor for detecting the presence of particles in an effluent fluid, which particles emit fluorescent light upon irradiation. As used to monitor ion exchange resin fines in effluent liquid in a steam power plant, there are probe means to inject fluorescence-stimulating light into a volume of the effluent liquid. Detector means are disposed to receive emitted fluorescent light from any particles in the effluent, and there are means actuatable by said detector means for generating a signal to indicate the presence of particles in the effluent.

Abstract: The hydraulic drive mechanism comprises an hydraulically actuated rod drive mechanism that cooperates with a pivotable latching mechanism. The pressurized reactor coolant is utilized to raise the drive rod into contact with and to pivot the latching mechanism so as to allow the drive rod to pass the latching mechanism. The pressure in the housing is then equalized which allows the drive rod to move downwardly into contact with the latching mechanism but remain in a raised position with respect to the reactor core. Once again, the reactor coolant pressure may be utilized to raise the drive rod and thus pivot the latching mechanism so that the drive rod passes above the latching mechanism. Again, the mechanism pressure can be equalized which allows the drive rod to fall and pass by the latching mechanism so that the drive rod approaches the reactor core.

Abstract: The multiple fuel rod gripper comprises a plurality of split tube collets arranged to be inserted into corresponding tapered holes in a locking plate. When the gripper has been positioned to have a plurality of fuel rods disposed in the holes of locking plate, an actuating mechanism causes the collets to be inserted into the tapered holes thereby causing the fuel rods to be inserted in the collets. The taper of the holes forces the collets into locking engagement with the fuel rods so that the fuel rods may be extracted from the fuel assembly.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rod bundle transferring apparatus is disclosed for transferring a bundle of the rods along a path from a first container to a second container. The apparatus includes a set of rollers mounted to permit the distance between the axes of the rollers to be varied from a first distance sufficient to receive the bundle of fuel rods to a second distance less than said first distance, wherein the rollers engage opposing sides of the bundle of nuclear fuel rods. A hatch is disposable between a first position intercepting the path and retaining the bundle of fuel rods within the first container, and a second position permitting the bundle of nuclear fuel rods to be transferred from the first container to the second container.

Abstract: The fuel assembly skeleton compaction system provides a means for remotely dismantling an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly skeleton once the nuclear fuel rods have been removed therefrom while the skeleton remains submerged in a coolant. The system comprises a feed chamber for holding the spent fuel assembly skeleton and for feeding a spent fuel assembly skeleton into a shear chamber which is arranged near the feed chamber. The shear chamber contains a shearing device for shearing the skeleton into small pieces and for moving the pieces of the skeleton into a compaction chamber which is located adjacent to the shear chamber. The compaction chamber contains a compaction cylinder for compacting the pieces of the skeleton introduced thereinto. A storage canister is located below the compaction chamber such that when the slide of the compaction chamber is opened, the compacted pieces of the skeleton may be pushed into the storage canister.

Abstract: The brazing wand comprises a hollow helically wound electrically conductive tubular member for conducting an electrical current and for conducting a coolant therethrough. The electrical current is used to heat a member to be brazed while the coolant is used to control the temperature of the brazing wand. The brazing wand also comprises a flexible cable for conducting the electrical current and coolant to the heating portion of the wand.

Abstract: Small portable electrical resistance heated radiant heating unit useful for insertion in tube bores to effect localized high temperature heating. Useful for the internal heating of tubes and tube/sleeve assemblies in steam generators, having bores as small as 0.75 cm. or less, for brazing, stress relieving, and other applications.

Abstract: The expansion of the primary tubes or sleeves of the steam generator of a nuclear reactor plant are measured while the tubes or sleeves are being expanded. A primary tube or sleeve is expanded by high pressure of water which flows through a channel in an expander body. The water is supplied through an elongated conductor and is introduced through a connector on the shank connected to the conductor at its outer end. A wire extends through the mandrel and through the conductor to the end of the connector. At its inner end the wire is connected to a tapered pin which is subject to counteracting forces produced by the pressure of the water. The force on the side where the wire is connected to the conductor is smaller than on the opposite side. The tapered pin is moved in the direction of the higher force and extrudes the wire outwardly of the conductor.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for internally welding sleeves to tubes comprises a central shaft with an electrode attached thereto which are capable of being inserted in a tubular member. A plurality of remotely actuable seals are disposed on the welding apparatus and around the electrode for establishing a sealed chamber in the sleeve in which the welding may take place. The welding apparatus is capable of supplying an inert shielding gas to the sealed chamber for pressurizing the sealed chamber during the welding process and while the electrode completes a weld around the inner circumference of the sleeve. The apparatus may also be used to internally braze the sleeve to the tube.

Abstract: The tube plug comprises a one piece mechanical plug having one open end and one closed end which is capable of being inserted in a heat exchange tube and internally expanded into contact with the inside surface of the heat exchange tube for preventing flow of a coolant through the heat exchange tube. The tube plug also comprises a groove extending around the outside circumference thereof which has an elastomeric material disposed in the groove for enhancing the seal between the tube plug and the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying an element within an array of elements, is disclosed as including a sighting device that is disposable in a plurality of positions to facilitate the operator to position the device in an orientation so that the device is aligned with or sighted upon the element within the array, operator-controllable means coupled to the sighting device to permit the operator to variably position the sighting device, an orientation sensing means coupled to the sighting device to provide an output signal indicative of the particular orientation of the device and computing means responsive to the position indicating signals to provide a manifestation indicating the element's position within the field, as sighted by the operator.

Abstract: The ultrasonic weld inspection method comprises transmitting an ultrasonic wave through the molten metal portion of the weld while the weld is being formed and determining if a weld defect is present in the molten metal. If no defect is detected in the molten metal, the welding process continues. However, if a defect is detected in the molten metal, the welding electrodes remain at that position until the defect has dissipated. In this manner, defects are removed from the weld before the weld metal solidifies.

Abstract: The fuel assembly locking apparatus comprises a rotatable plate capable of simultaneously and positively engaging all four legs of the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly for uniformly holding the fuel assembly while the spent fuel rods are pulled from the fuel assembly. The rotatable plate has four notched corners arranged to be rotated over a ledge on each leg of the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly thereby preventing movement of the fuel assembly. The rotatable plate is also capable of being rotated 45.degree. so that the four corners of the plate are rotated clear of the legs of the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly thereby allowing the fuel assembly to be placed on or removed from the locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is also provided with a torque actuator for remotely rotating the plate.

Abstract: The electromagnetic flow coupler comprises substantially electrically insulated side walls for minimizing parasitic losses in the side walls. The side walls may comprise alumina plates attached to conductive members with thin stainless steel plates disposed on the inside walls of the alumina plates for reducing the flow of electricity through the side walls of the flow coupler.