Abstract: A single stage remote center compliance device having a high degree translational and rotational compliance for use in connection with a manipulator device which includes first and second members spaced from each other and interconnected by a pair of crossed interconnected shafts and a plurality of tilted, axially compressible and laterally deformable compression coil springs.

Abstract: A method of uniformly rotopeening the inside walls of metallic tubes to a desired final peening intensity by means of at least one rotatable peening flapper is disclosed herein. The method generally comprises the step of simultaneously rotating and orbiting the flapper within the tube while maintaining a selected stand-off distance between the inner edge of the flapper and the inside wall of the tube. The angular speed of the flapper and the stand-off distance are selected so that the slope of the curve defined by peening intensity over time is substantially flat in the vicinity of the desired final peening intensity. The method is particularly useful in uniformly and accurately peening the inside walls of the heat exchange tubes anchored in the tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator in order to relieve tensile stresses in the walls of these tubes which might otherwise lead to stress corrosion cracking in the tube walls.

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: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly having an improved top nozzle subassembly with a hold-down device incorporated therewithin to prevent the force of the upward coolant flow from lifting the fuel assembly into damaging contact with the upper core support plate, while allowing for changes in fuel assembly length due to core-induced thermal expansion. The construction of the fuel assembly is such that its top surface can be placed in direct contact with the upper core plate. Thermal expansion of the components of the fuel assembly in the upward direction are accommodated within the top nozzle subassembly.

Abstract: The latching mechanism comprises a pivotable member that cooperates with a contact member for coupling the contact member to the pivotable member. A drive mechanism moves the contact member into contact with the pivotable member thereby pivoting the pivotable member and allowing the contact member to seat in the pivotable member. A biasing mechanism urges the pivotable member into its initial position. The drive mechanism can be also utilized to release the contact member from the pivotable member.

Abstract: Apparatus for vertically separating a motor drive shaft from a load shaft while maintaining alignment between the motor drive shaft and the load shaft so that the load shaft and associated apparatus may be accessed for repair or replacement.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor coolant pump having a tooling boom mounted on the periphery of the motor stand of the pump for transferring pump components through openings in the motor stand during performance of maintenance on the pump. The tooling boom comprises an articulated arm mounted on the periphery of the motor stand with a gripping mechanism attached to the arm at the end opposite the arm's attachment to the motor stand. The gripping mechanism is capable of having pump components firmly attached thereto so that when the articulated arm is swung in the horizontal plane, the pump components may be transferred between the inside and outside of the motor stand.