Abstract: The liquid metal pump comprises floating seal rings and attachment of the pump diffuser to the pump bowl for isolating structural deflections from the pump shaft bearings. The seal rings also eliminate precision machining on large assemblies by eliminating the need for a close tolerance fit between the mounting surfaces of the pump and the seals. The liquid metal pump also comprises a shaft support structure that is isolated from the pump housing for better preservation of alignment of shaft bearings. The shaft support structure also allows for complete removal of pump internals for inspection and repair.

Abstract: Filtration system configurations particularly useful for cleaning high temperature raw gas containing fine particulates such as that discharged from coal gasification and fluidized bed combustion processes. Thin filter elements, having elongated clean channels on one side of a gas permeable ceramic membrane and shorter dirty channels on the other side, extend radially outward from a central duct. Raw gas flows about and through the filter elements, and clean gas which permeates the membrane enters the duct. The elements are cleaned by a back pulse of clean air, spitting the particulates to the bottom of the containing vessel and through an outlet. A high density filter packing within a containing pressure vessel is achieved by nesting a plurality of the duct and filter element modules, or through other orientations and filter element configurations.

Abstract: The nuclear reactor control column comprises a column disposed within the nuclear reactor core having a variable cross-section hollow channel and containing balls whose vertical location is determined by the flow of the reactor coolant through the column. The control column is divided into three basic sections wherein each of the sections has a different cross-sectional area. The uppermost section of the control column has the greatest cross-sectional area, the intermediate section of the control column has the smallest cross-sectional area, and the lowermost section of the control column has the intermediate cross-sectional area. In this manner, the area of the uppermost section can be established such that when the reactor coolant is flowing under normal conditions therethrough, the absorber balls will be lifted and suspended in a fluidized bed manner in the upper section.

Abstract: The decontamination apparatus comprises a rotatable hone capable of being inserted into a heat exchange tube of a steam generator for removing contamination from the inside of the heat exchange tubes. The apparatus also comprises means for advancing and retracting the hone and means for removing contamination from the apparatus as the apparatus is withdrawn from the steam generator.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and apparatus for conducting a stream of electrolyte solution with an electrical potential applied between the nozzle of the apparatus and the piece of equipment to be decontaminated. The apparatus provides a nozzle that is capable of conducting the electrolyte to the component to be decontaminated in an effective manner without short circuiting the electrical system. Moreover, the method provides a means by which the exposure time of the component to the electrolyte is controlled such that corrosion of the component is minimized while the component is effectively decontaminated.

Abstract: The inspection probe for inspecting tubular members comprises a plurality of axially oriented plastic strips which form the circumference of the probe with each plastic strip having mounted thereon an eddy current coil. A rubber tube is disposed on the interior of the plastic strips so that when the rubber tube is inflated, the plastic strips and coils are forced outward into close contact with the tubular member so that the eddy current coils can detect flaws in the tubular member. The eddy current coils are held against the tube wall even when the tube has been deformed into an irregular configuration.

Abstract: The remote docking apparatus comprises a support plate with locking devices mounted thereon. The locking devices are capable of being inserted into tubular members for suspending the support plate therefrom. A vertical member is attached to the support plate with an attachment mechanism attached to the vertical member. A remote access manipulator is capable of being attached to the attachment mechanism so that the vertical member can position the remote access manipulator so that the remote access manipulator can be initially attached to the tubular members in a well defined manner.

Abstract: A probe positioner capable of being supported from a tube sheet of a nuclear steam generator for positioning a probe in relationship to the tube sheet of the nuclear steam generator comprises a locking mechanism for locking the probe positioner in the tube sheet and a plurality of rotatable arms for positioning the probe. The probe positioner also comprises quick disconnect motors for rotating the arms of the probe positioner relative to each other.

Abstract: The radial cold trap comprises a housing having a plurality of mesh bands disposed therein. The mesh bands comprise concentrically arranged bands of mesh with the mesh specific surface area of each band increasing from the outermost mesh band to the innermost mesh band. An inlet nozzle is attached to the outside section of the housing while an outlet nozzle is attached to the inner portion of the housing so as to be concentrically connected to the innermost mesh band. An inlet baffle having orifices therein may be disposed around the outermost mesh band and within the housing for directing the flow of the fluid from the inlet nozzle to the outermost mesh band in a uniform manner. The flow of fluid passes through each consecutive mesh band and into the outlet nozzle. The circular pattern of the symmetrically arranged mesh packing allows for better utilization of the entire cold trap volume.

Abstract: The segmented flexible hone comprises spirally wound high pressure tubing for conducting a lubricant therethrough with multiple bristled segments for contacting the inner surfaces of tubular holes so that contaminants and metal may be removed from the inner surfaces of the tubular holes. The bristled segments comprise compliant nylon bristles having enlarged abrasive globules attached to the outer end of the bristles in a non-flaking and a non-chipping manner. The bristled segments are separated by intervals along the high pressure tubing wherein no bristles are disposed but wherein the tubing has holes so that a lubricant mist may exit at high pressures and in a mist therefrom. The segmented flexible hone may be attached to a high pressure lubricant source and a mechanism for rotating the hone such that the ends of the bristles contact the inner surfaces of the members to be honed while a mist of lubricant is emitted from the holes in the high pressure tubing.

Abstract: The irradiation specimen installation apparatus comprises a gripper mechanism capable of being disposed through a hole in the nuclear reactor core barrel flange and capable of gripping the irradiation specimen. The apparatus is also capable of transporting the irradiation specimen so that the irradiation specimen can be deposited in the specimen container. The apparatus also comprises a visual verification mechanism for positively determining if the irradiation specimen has been properly located in the specimen container. A second instrument may be used in conjunction with this apparatus for seating the irradiation specimen in the specimen container once visual verification of its location has been made.

Abstract: A neutron activation probe comprises a pulsed neutron source in series with a plurality of delayed neutron detectors for measuring radioactivity in a well borehole. The neutron source emits neutrons which produce fission in uranium in the ore body and the delayed neutron detectors measure the delayed neutrons produced from such fission while the probe is moved through the borehole. The signal from each neutron detector is delayed in time so that the activity measured by each neutron detector from a particular ore zone may be added thereby increasing the accuracy of the reading corresponding to that ore zone.

Abstract: A method for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tubesheet of a steam generator comprises placement of fluid headers at the elevation of the sludge to be removed establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is moved along the line between the headers emitting a pulsating fluid jet perpendicular to a line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tubesheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

Abstract: A face type shaft seal for liquid metal pumps comprises a non-contacting seal in which at least one seal face has spiral grooves therein. The seal faces are gold plated and designed so that the liquid metal wets the seal faces and creates a thin layer of liquid metal between the two seal faces during both rotation of the pump shaft and non-rotation of the pump shaft. The thin layer of liquid metal prevents contact of the two seal faces during initial rotation of the pump shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of annular curved ridge welds securing plugs in heat transfer tubes in a nuclear steam generator. Included in such apparatus is a small sized television camera, an annular image transformation lens of greater size than the observed weld for presenting a flattened expanded image of such weld to the camera, a circular array of work-illumination lamps at the input end of the camera, and a hollow cylindrical light conductive member mounted at its one end on the input end of the camera in exposure to the lamps and mounting the image transformation lens on its opposite end for proximity to the annular weld being inspected.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tubesheet of a steam generator comprises fluid headers at the elevation of the sludge to be removed for establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is also provided for being moved along the line between the headers emitting a pulsating fluid jet perpendicular to a line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tubesheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

Abstract: An inspection probe for inspecting tubular members comprises a housing having a plurality of feeler wires extending therefrom and into contact with the inner side of the tubular members. The inspection probe also comprises a radiation source and radiation sensors arranged in the probe so that the sensors can detect radiation from the source that has been reflected from the feeler wires. The sensors are arranged so that when the feeler wires encounter an irregularity in the tubular member the amount radiation reflected from the feeler wires to the sensors will change in relation to the size of the irregularity. Output from the sensors is calibrated to remotely indicate the size and location of the irregularity.

Abstract: A bore gauge for measuring the internal diameter of tubes comprises at least two concentrically and rotatably arranged members connected by a helically wound spring member. The spring member is capable of contacting the inside surface of the tube and causing relative rotation of the members thereby indicating the internal diameter of the tube.

Abstract: A method for optimal placement and orientation of a well field for solution mining comprises first determining the direction and magnitude of the major and minor axes of transmissivity of the ore body. Then, determining the location of the injection and recovery wells based on the magnitude and orientation of the major and minor axes of transmissivity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expeditious installation of bottom-supporting and side-anchoring blocks for a tube and tube sheet bottom repair apparatus in the interior of the channel head of a steam generator at one side of the divider plate in a nuclear power plant, involving use of special tools and fixtures for location and welding of such blocks in position by use of information derived from measurement of the extent and direction of tilt of the tube sheet bottom from a purely horizontal attitude.