Abstract: In order to seal an electrical connector in a manner wherein mating of the connector components does not deteriorate environment sealing elements or require periodic maintenance, a GRAFOIL.RTM. type end seal is arranged to be abutted by a leading edge portion of one of a male plug member and a female receptacle members in a manner which establishes the sole hermetic seal for the connector.

Abstract: In order to support a shroud against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps which are preferably formed of the same material as the shroud, are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or the like type of weaknesses which have been detected, and fastened in place using a suitable fastening technique. In the preferred embodiments of the invention holes are formed using an EDM technique and bolt units which have an expanding portion are inserted into the holes, torqued and expanded in a manner which fastens the strap to the shroud. Welding and the like type of fastening techniques are not excluded and may used alternatively or in combination with the bolting technique as required.

Abstract: A frame for housing a retractable sootblower, having a movable carriage and lance tube for cleaning inside surfaces of a boiler, includes a front end wall disposed proximate and a rear end wall disposed distal to the boiler. A pair of opposed side walls, each having one end connected to the front end wall and the other end connected to the rear end wall, are also provided so as to generally define a rectangular box. Also included are one or more top panels, each configured to extend between the opposed side walls with the panels in a closed position to thereby provide protection to the sootblower from above and to be moveable to an open position to provide substantially unobstructed access to the carriage from above the frame.

Abstract: In order to facilitate refueling operations, cables, which provide control and power linkages between control element drive mechanisms (CEDMS), and a terminal panel supported on a side wall of the reactor cavity, are disposed in a cylindrical extension of a cylindrical enclosure which encloses the CEDMS, with sufficient slack that they can be drawn out of the cylindrical extension through windows and supported on a drawbridge type of arrangement comprised of pivotal window tray type structures which are respectively hingedly connected to the cylindrical extension and either the wall or the terminal panel, and which span the gap between the cylindrical extension and the terminal panel when pivoted to their respective supporting positions.

Abstract: A probe inspects steam generator tubing for defects. The probe includes a transducer which generates a localized ultrasonic Lamb wave. The ultrasonic wave is transferred to the tubing by a coupling medium, such as water, that physically couples the transducer and the tubing. Defects in the tubing reflect the ultrasonic wave to the probe which detects the reflections. The results are then used to determine the length and depth of such defects as cracks, pitting, and thinning. The localized ultrasonic wave performs an inspection sensitive enough to detect ligaments between crack segments. This allows highly accurate predictions of tubing integrity and rupture strength.

Abstract: A stirrup apparatus for cooperation with an associated buckstay that has at least one flange and which extends around an associated furnace. The stirrup apparatus includes a wall channel extending generally horizontally around the associated furnace. The apparatus also includes an elongated bent plate having first and second ends, the plate being elongated intermediate the first and second ends. The first and second ends are welded to the wall channel at spaced parts of the wall channel with an axial part of the plate intermediate the first and second ends spaced from the wall channel. At least a first elongated bar is welded on a side of the bent plate that faces the wall channel and extends generally in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the bent plate.

Abstract: An ash control valve apparatus, for use in a system that includes a fluidized-bed system, including a housing, a seat in the housing for passage of particulate material, a plug dimensioned and configured for mating engagement with the seat; and apparatus for moving the plug from a first position wherein the plug is disposed in seated engagement with the seat and a second position wherein the plug is disposed in spaced relationship to the seat. The apparatus for moving the plug includes apparatus for mounting the plug, that includes an elongated tube to which the plug is fixed. The apparatus for axially moving the tube includes a cylinder and piston assembly; and a clamp engaging the tube and operatively connected to the cylinder of the cylinder and piston assembly.

Abstract: The work cell is divided into a plurality of calibration zones, and calibration is made with only one measured point in each zone. The calibration zones are set up such that the calibration error in each zone remains within an acceptable tolerance. Within each zone, calibration is preferably made according to a linear calibration algorithm. The method according to the invention includes the steps of storing a first database, of the coordinates of all the tube openings in the tube sheet coordinate system. Each coordinate of the first database is assigned to one of a plurality of calibration zones.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sootblower and particularly to a hub and drive assembly therefore capable of producing improved cleaning by directing the blowing medium over substantially all of the surface to be cleaned. Includes a hub and drive assembly in accord with the present invention converts the alternating, clockwise and counter-clockwise rotary output of a reversible drive motor to uni-directional rotary movement of the sootblower lance. Further, the hub and drive assembly of the present invention provides an incremental degree of lost rotational movement each time the direction of longitudinal movement of the lance and nozzle assembly changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas recirculation into a furnace to control steam temperature includes a hot air chamber for receiving hot air from an air preheater. The hot air chamber has at least one outlet communicating with the interior of the furnace. The apparatus includes a recirculation gas chamber for receiving recirculation gas from a recirculation fan and includes at least one outlet communicating with the interior of the furnace. Each of the chambers is disposed about at least a portion of the circumference of the furnace with one of the chambers disposed above at least a portion of the other. Ducts are provided between the hot air chamber and the air preheater and between the recirculation gas chamber and the recirculation fan to provide communication between the elements. A passageway is disposed between the hot air chamber and the recirculation gas chamber.

Abstract: A system including a resonant cavity for measuring in-situ and in real time the Carbon content of the fly ash produced from the combustion process occurring within a pulverized coal-fired steam generator. The resonant cavity basically includes an intelligence section, a transmitting section, a cavity section and a receiving section. When the system including the resonant cavity is so employed the measurements gained therefrom may be utilized either by an operator or as input to a boiler control system or both in order that corrective action may be implemented when such is required.

Abstract: A blind nut tool has spaced arms, one to extend on either side of a drywell head flange. The arms are mounted on a U-shaped channel member and the lower arm holds and retains a nut and washer pair on the underside of the flange as it is torqued on a threaded stud extending through the flange. The channel receives the stud and has a pin which engages a flat on the stud for storage of the tool.

Abstract: A method for generating a validated measurement of a process parameter at a point in time by using a plurality of individual sensor inputs from a scan of said sensors at said point in time. The sensor inputs from said scan are stored and a first validation pass is initiated by computing an initial average of all stored sensor inputs. Each sensor input is deviation checked by comparing each input including a preset tolerance against the initial average input. If the first deviation check is unsatisfactory, the sensor which produced the unsatisfactory input is flagged as suspect. It is then determined whether at least two of the inputs have not been flagged as suspect and are therefore considered good inputs. If two or more inputs are good, a second validation pass is initiated by computing a second average of all the good sensor inputs, and deviation checking the good inputs by comparing each good input including a present tolerance against the second average.

Abstract: In order to reduce the number of lifts which are required to remove the various equipment normally disposed above the reactor pressure vessel and to make way for refuelling or regular maintenance, the control rod element drive mechanisms are completely enclosed within a cylindrical enclosure which is attached to the head of the pressure vessel. The top of the cylindrical enclosure is closed with a cap-like member which acts as both a missile shield and a head area cable tray. The missile shield, the cylindrical enclosure, the control rod drive mechanisms and the pressure vessel head, are connected to form an integral unit which can be removed in a single lift. Cable trays are pivotally supported on a wall of a building to establish a bridge between the building and the head area cable array and to establish a connection with the control element drive mechanism cables. During lifting, the control element drive mechanism cables are disconnected and the pivotal bridge trays are swung out of the way.

Abstract: A syngas cooler apparatus includes an elongated generally cylindrical pressure vessel having an axial extremity that is a top end during normal operation of the cooler and an axial extremity that is a bottom end during normal operation of the cooler. A laterally extending support member extends within the pressure vessel proximate to the top end and front, back, and two side walls define at least one flow channel in the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the flow channel. A pendant heat exchanger surface comprising a plurality of loops is disposed in the flow channel. Each of the loops is formed from tubing and the major portion of the entire axial extent of the tubing are rectilinear axial sections that are disposed with the axes thereof substantially in a vertical plan during normal operation. The pendant is disposed in the flow channel intermediate the inlet and the outlet and is supported solely from the laterally extending support member.

Abstract: A control system particularly suited for effecting control over an integrated gasification combined cycle system (IGCC) that includes at least a fuel feed system, a gasifier system, a product gas cleanup system, a booster compressor and a gas turbine. The subject control system includes a bleed air control valve, a booster compressor bypass control valve, a fuel feed control valve and a product gas shutoff valve. The bleed air control valve, which is connected in fluid flow relation between the gas turbine and the booster compressor of the IGCC, is operable for effecting control over the amount of air that is bled in the IGCC. The booster compressor bypass control valve, which is connected in fluid flow relation between the upstream side and the downstream side of the IGCC, is operable for effecting the bypass of air around the booster compressor of the IGCC.