Patents Assigned to AREVA
  • Patent number: 7542860
    Abstract: A method and device detect a position of a pulsed mechanical effect on a plant component. An operating noise in the plant component is continuously recorded by sensors which are arranged on the plant component and converted by the above into a measured signal. The measured signals of the sensors undergo a transformation in a first time window. A first evaluation function is derived from a plurality of first transformations determined in this manner, the evaluation functions display an appearance of the pulsed mechanical effect. Accordingly, when detecting an effect following the second shorter time window having the same algorithms, second transformed and respectively, second evaluation functions are derived, from which, respectively, one time point is determined. Wherein the sound signal produced by the effect impacts upon the sensor. From there, running time differences produced between the sensors can be exactly reconstructed on the position of the effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Areva NP GmbH
    Inventors: Bela Bechtold, Peter Jax, Vojtech Ocelik, Jan Zach
  • Publication number: 20090133996
    Abstract: An electric switch including a stationary contact that is annular. The switch comprises a gastight enclosure (2), a conductor bar (8) of axis (D), a stationary contact (12) presenting a contact zone (22) of substantially annular shape, a switch element (40), e.g. on the conductor bar, that is movable in the axial direction of the axis (D) between a first position in which it penetrates in part into the stationary contact (12) to establish electrical contact between the conductor bar (8) and the stationary contact (12), and a second position in which it interrupts said contact. The stationary contact, which is in the form of a ring that is circular or elongate, e.g. elliptical, surrounds the conductor bar (8), at least in part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T & D AG
    Inventors: Vladimir Gutalj, Hugo Hiltbrunner
  • Publication number: 20090134123
    Abstract: A method of evacuating hot gases produced in a current breaking operation by a high voltage circuit breaker (1) which comprises a metal outer tank (2) filled with insulating gas, a casing (3) having gas outlet ports (30) and arranged inside the metal outer tank (2), with which it is in communication via the said ports, characterized in that insulating gas (GI) is aspirated from inside the casing (3) in a direction parallel to the flow of the hot gases (GC) produced by the current breaking operation, so as to mix the gases inside the casing (3) before they are evacuated, through the said gas outlet ports (30) of the casing, into the interior of the metal outer tank (2). The invention also relates to an associated high voltage circuit breaker, which includes means (5) for aspirating insulating gas from the interior of the casing (3), in a direction parallel to the hot gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Wolfgang GRIESHABER, Roger LEDRU, Steven GROSICK, Nicklas DAVISON
  • Patent number: 7539280
    Abstract: A method to load a nuclear fuel rod, comprising, providing nuclear fuel pellets in a fuel plate transfer unit; transferring the nuclear fuel pellets from the fuel plate transfer unit to a fuel pellet column through the use of a belt, indexing the nuclear fuel pellets in the fuel pellet column to a nuclear fuel pellet loading machine; and pushing the fuel pellet column into a fuel rod cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: AREVA NP Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Bailey, J. Todd Lee
  • Publication number: 20090130922
    Abstract: In an electrical connection for high-voltage or medium-voltage switchgear, a bar (2) is inserted in a recess (6) provided with a projection (10). In the invention, the dimensions are established so that the axes (AA, BB) of the bar (2) and of the projection (10) can be inclined relative to each other. Spring-forming conductor elements (12, 14) establish the electrical connection even in the event of tilt. A high-performance electrical contact can thus be obtained compactly, which makes it possible to perform assembly/disassembly operations on electrical equipment without any additional element of the telescopic ferrule or separable bar type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Alain Arnaud, Jean-Pierre Roulet, Jean-Michel Berals
  • Patent number: 7533715
    Abstract: An improved manipulator system having a remotely actuated tube walker assembly for reciprocally moving the manipulator along a tube bundle for inspection and repair of the tubes of the tube bundle wherein the tube walker has a movable inner section and an outboard section with both sections having groups of hydraulically actuated locking fingers which are selectively engageable with the tubes of the tube bundle so that when the fingers of the outboard section are locked the fingers of the inner section are disengaged and the inner portion can be moved axially to an aligned position with new tube locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Areva NP Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt David Klahn, George Vick Owen
  • Publication number: 20090122945
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a pressurized water nuclear reactor contains a multiplicity of fuel rods which are guided in a plurality of axially spaced spacers which in each case form a square grid, composed of grid webs, with a multiplicity of cells arranged in rows and columns. In each case one control rod guide tube is guided through a number of these cells. At least one spacer is configured to be mechanically stronger in a first partial region than in a second partial region. In this second partial region, the spacer is provided with at least one resisting element which protrudes into a flow sub-channel formed between the fuel rods and increases the flow resistance. The resisting element counteracts a reduction associated with the mechanically weaker configuration, in the flow resistance in the second partial region and in this manner effects a homogenization of the hydraulic behavior of a spacer which is mechanically inhomogeneous on account of the varying mechanical configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Stabel, Udo Borsdorf
  • Publication number: 20090120909
    Abstract: Assembly for a grounding disconnector, said assembly comprising a stationary grounding contact (12), a phase contact (14) suitable for being connected electrically to a busbar (8), moving connection means (16) suitable for putting the stationary grounding contact (12) and the phase contact (14) into electrical contact with each other, the stationary grounding contact (12), the phase contact (14) and the moving connection means (16) being mounted on a mounting plate (6). The present invention also provides a grounding disconnector including such an assembly, and to a method of manufacturing a grounding disconnector of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T & D AG
    Inventors: Carmelo Gimeno, Gerardo Palmieri, Hauri Max
  • Publication number: 20090120907
    Abstract: A switch unit comprising a circuit breaker and a disconnector disposed in one plane and fixed to a metal casing. Common drive means comprise: a single insulating drive bar adapted to move in a straight line in the same plane as the plane of straight line movement of the movable contacts of the circuit breaker and disconnector; and at least one mechanical assembly mounted in the metal casing, at least part of the mechanical assembly being driven by the single insulating drive rod while permitting non-simultaneous straight-line movement of the two movable contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Alain GIRODET, Christian Lindner, Igor Deprez, Olivier Le Grand
  • Publication number: 20090122948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining at least one technological uncertainty factor in respect of nuclear fuel elements (23) as a function of variations in the production parameters of the elements (23) in relation to nominal values. The inventive method comprises a step involving the use, for at least one production parameter, of a collective variation in said parameter in relation to the nominal value within a batch of produced elements (23). The invention can be used, for example, to design, produce and check pellets for light water reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Pascal Charmensat, Michel Pasquet
  • Publication number: 20090119921
    Abstract: The method consists in making sure that the steam generator (1) is full of water and topping it up if necessary, using mechanical tooling (15) to pierce a blind pre-orifice (22) into part of the thickness of the pressure boundary (2), lowering the water level in the steam generator (1) to just above the pre-orifice (22), using electrical discharge machining to finish piercing the orifice (9) in the pressure boundary (2), and using electrical discharge machining also to make an orifice (10) in the bundle wrapper (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicants: AREVA NP, ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
    Inventors: Olivier Theallier, Jean-Claude Ferlay
  • Patent number: 7532452
    Abstract: A highly temperature-stable capacitor for taking measurements on a high-voltage line, said capacitor having a high-voltage electrode (HT), an annular printed circuit (CI) surrounding said high-voltage electrode (HT) coaxially and having at least one electrically conductive track that forms a low-voltage electrode (BT), said capacitor being characterized in that the printed circuit (CI) also has at least one temperature-sensitive resistor (TH).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Karsten Pohlink, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
  • Patent number: 7532699
    Abstract: A nuclear facility contains a flood tank, which is provided for holding a cooling liquid, a condensation chamber, and an overflow device, which leads from the flood tank to the condensation chamber and which serves to discharge excess cooling liquid. The overflow device is provided for separating gas components out from the excess cooling liquid. In certain operating states, the cooling liquid of the condensation chamber and of the flood tank is circulated in a common cooling circuit and is fed, while being largely free of gas, once more into the condensation chamber via the overflow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Areva NP GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Meseth
  • Publication number: 20090118560
    Abstract: Methods for removing nuclear waste from a component are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of supplying oxalic acid to the nuclear waste on the component to form an oxalic acid/waste solution, feeding the oxalic acid/waste solution from the component, feeding an oxidant to the oxalic acid/waste solution to form carbon-dioxide, water and a precipitate, and separating the precipitate from the water. A system for removing nuclear waste is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP INC.
    Inventors: Sidney Dennis Jones, III, Ray Beatty, John Remark, Wesley Hudson
  • Patent number: 7527772
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove uranium from a body of material wherein the method includes the steps of depositing the body of solid material in an ultrasonic extractor and depositing an amount of acid in the ultrasonic extractor. The method also provides for the steps of heating a jacket of the ultrasonic extractor, transporting the body of solid material in the ultrasonic extractor and the amount of acid such that the body of solid material and the acid contact each other inside the heated ultrasonic extractor while the ultrasonic extractor provides ultrasonic energy to both the body of solid material and the amount of acid, wherein the amount of acid strips uranium from the body of solid material. The method further provides for collecting the amount of acid and the body of solid material in the ultrasonic extractor in different positions, transporting the amount of acid with the stripped uranium to an extraction mixer settler, and settling uranium product from the extraction mixer settler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: AREVA NP Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thaddeus Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090107268
    Abstract: An actuator having a frame which is fixed to an electric motor; a gear drive for transmitting motion from the motor to a drive shaft between two predetermined positions, and a brake consisting of a coil spring, having, when relaxed, an inside diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of a support shaft that is fixed relative to the gear drive, and around which the spring is coiled, each of the two free ends of the spring being arranged in a respective slot, formed in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D AG
    Inventor: Ernst SUTER
  • Publication number: 20090108689
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator having means for transmitting motion, in the final part of a stroke performed by a system comprising a worm shaft and rider nut coupled through gearing with an electric motor, to an auxiliary interrupter for breaking the power supply to the motor. Two control levers are provided, these being coupled together, and being rotated, about a perpendicular axis, by a cursor which is fixed to the nut that slides on the worm shaft. The pivoting of the said levers is blocked during the movement of the drive shaft driven by the system consisting of the worm shaft and nut. By contrast, the levers pivot during the final part of the movement of the cursor. The distance through which the levers move in pivoting is large enough to avoid any need for the auxiliary interrupter to be a high precision component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D AG
    Inventor: Ernst SUTER
  • Publication number: 20090090697
    Abstract: A current interrupting chamber comprising a moving assembly movable axially between a start position and an end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker, and comprising: a first compression chamber; a hollow drive tube having ports for bringing the interior of the drive tube into communication with the outside of the current interrupting chamber; a second compression chamber; and means for obstructing the ports of the drive tube as from the start position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker and up to an intermediate position which is reached between the position of separation of two arcing contacts from each other and the end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Denis DUFOURNET, Dan PENACHE, Michel TRESY, Michel PERRET
  • Publication number: 20090092218
    Abstract: A steam dryer through which steam flows vertically, in particular for a nuclear reactor, contains a plurality of water tanks for removing water which has been separated from the steam. The water tanks are disposed below dryer elements through which the steam flows. The water tanks of the steam dryer have in each case in the flow direction a cross section which is favorable in terms of flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Lemm
  • Publication number: 20090086878
    Abstract: A nuclear power plant is provided including a BWR, a reactor cooling system cooling the BWR, an HWC hydrogen injection system connected to the reactor cooling system and an alcohol injection system connected to the reactor cooling system. Methods for providing methanol and hydrogen are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP INC.
    Inventors: Bernhard Stellwag, Mihai G.M. Pop