Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud includes forming a pair of slots in the shroud on opposite sides of the crack in angled relation to one another so that the lateral spacing between the slots increases in a direction parallel to the crack, lowering a wedge clamp with laterally spaced slides into the annular space between the core shroud and the reactor vessel, positioning the slides in the slots, and moving the clamp in the direction of increasing lateral spacing between the slots to an operational position where the clamp prevents unacceptable opening of the crack during reactor operation by providing a structural load path which transmits structural loads across the crack. The slots are preferably configured to mate cooperatively in a manner which prevents the clamp from moving in a radially outward direction relative to the shroud once the clamp has been installed.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud includes forming a pair of slots in the shroud on opposite sides of the crack in angled relation to one another so that the lateral spacing between the slots increases in a direction parallel to the crack, lowering a wedge clamp with laterally spaced slides into the annular space between the core shroud and the reactor vessel, positioning the slides in the slots, and moving the clamp in the direction of increasing lateral spacing between the slots to an operational position where the clamp prevents unacceptable opening of the crack during reactor operation by providing a structural load path which transmits structural loads across the crack. The slots are preferably configured to mate cooperatively in a manner which prevents the clamp from moving in a radially outward direction relative to the shroud once the clamp has been installed.

Abstract: A method for repairing cracked jet pump riser assemblies in a boiling water reactor utilizes a spacer clamp and a seal collar. The spacer clamp is secured to the riser assembly to limit horizontal displacement of the riser assembly, and the seal collar is secured around the weld joining the riser elbow and the thermal sleeve to limit leakage from the weld over a predetermined range of horizontal displacement defined by the spacer clamp. A method for repairing a circumferential weld connecting an elbow of a jet pump riser assembly with a thermal sleeve involves positioning the weld within a seal collar and securing the seal collar on the jet pump riser assembly so that seals of the seal collar sealingly contact the elbow and the thermal sleeve, respectively, circumferentially on opposite sides of the weld.

Abstract: A method for replacing cracked core spray supply piping in a boiling water reactor vessel includes removal of all or part of the core spray supply piping inside the reactor vessel and replacement of the piping with new piping components configured to couple with one another or any remaining core spray supply piping without being welded. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a lower elbow of the core spray supply piping is removed and replaced with an elbow assembly configured to mechanically couple with an existing feed-through assembly at the core shroud, for example by use of friction fit, bias members, and/or bolts. A vertical section of the core spray supply piping feeding into the elbow can also be removed and replaced with a new piping section configured to mechanically couple with the replacement lower elbow assembly, for example using pins, clamps and sealing members such as piston rings.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud with a clamp having pins eccentrically mounted on disks connected by a structural member includes inserting the pins into openings formed in the shroud on opposite sides of the weld and turning the disks to rotate the pins toward the weld such that edges of the holes are engaged by the pins to transmit loads from the shroud to the structural member rather than the weld. A seal member is mounted in compression between a flange at an inboard end of at least one of the pins and an inner surface of the shroud to control leakage through the opening in the shroud.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud with a clamp having pins eccentrically mounted on disks connected by a structural member includes inserting the pins into openings formed in the shroud on opposite sides of the weld and turning the disks to rotate the pins toward the weld such that edges of the holes are engaged by the pins to transmit loads from the shroud to the structural member rather than the weld. A locking mechanism using set screws can be used to lock the disks in a desired rotational position relative to the clamp.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud includes forming a pair of slots in the shroud on opposite sides of the crack in angled relation to one another so that the lateral spacing between the slots increases in a direction parallel to the crack, lowering a wedge clamp with laterally spaced slides into the annular space between the core shroud and the reactor vessel, positioning the slides in the slots, and moving the clamp in the direction of increasing lateral spacing between the slots to an operational position where the clamp prevents unacceptable opening of the crack during reactor operation by providing a structural load path which transmits structural loads across the crack. The slots are preferably configured to mate cooperatively in a manner which prevents the clamp from moving in a radially outward direction relative to the shroud once the clamp has been installed.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing cracked core spray supply piping in a boiling water reactor vessel includes a pair of clamps extending circumferentially around the piping on opposite sides of a crack and a preloading mechanism urging the clamps toward one another to apply and maintain an axially compressive load on the piping tending to close the crack. For vertical sections of core spray supply piping, the clamps are secured at vertically spaced locations with each of the clamps including a first jaw extending circumferentially around a first portion of the piping and including a first opening oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the piping and an elongate passage or channel oriented substantially perpendicular to and in communication with the first opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing cracked core spray supply piping in a boiling water reactor vessel includes a pair of clamps extending circumferentially around the piping on opposite sides of a crack and a preloading mechanism urging the clamps toward one another to apply and maintain an axially compressive load on the piping tending to close the crack. For vertical sections of core spray supply piping, the clamps are secured at vertically spaced locations with each of the clamps including a first jaw extending circumferentially around a first portion of the piping and including a first opening oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the piping and an elongate passage or channel oriented substantially perpendicular to and in communication with the first opening.