Abstract: A filter for a filter vessel which converts the filter vessel to use disposable filters for removing hazardous particulate matter from an aqueous flow. The filter includes a rigid support housing having an input passage for the aqueous flow, an exit passage for the aqueous flow, an internal sealing surface and a locking seal located adjacent to the input passage to securingly engage the filter vessel for the aqueous flow. The invention also includes a sleeveless disposable filter cartridge. The cartridge includes a flexible filtering medium having first and second ends. A terminal seal is affixed to the first end of the filtering medium for sealing engagement with the filter vessel and a wall seal on the second end of the filtering medium for engagement with the internal sealing surface of the support housing.

Abstract: A system for repairing leaks, cracks and crevices in a stator assembly of the type having a fluid cooling system. The system includes an anaerobically activated, liquid polymer curable sealant supply which is circulated through the fluid cooling system of the stator assembly. Sealant connectors place the sealant supply in fluid communication with the cooling system and a pump circulates the curable sealant supply through the cooling system to repair the leaks, cracks and crevices in the stator assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a secondary curing system provides an initial curing of the curable sealant to form a protective "skin" after the removal of the excess curable sealant from the fluid cooling system.

Abstract: A probe for inspecting the inside of a large diameter, substantially vertical, limited access pipe. The probe includes an elongated probe housing having a series of flexible joint along its length to permit the probe to be positioned within the pipe. A plurality of radially extendable guide arms are attached to the lower end of the probe housing for positioning the probe within the pipe and, in the preferred embodiment, a stabilizer weight is attached to the elongated housing adjacent to the guide arms for preventing unstable movement of the probe much like a tail on a kite. In the preferred embodiment, the probe further includes a rotational drive for rotating the plurality of radially extendable guide arms with respect to the elongated housing. In addition, sensors are located on the ends of each guide arm to permit the inside surface of the pipe to be more completely inspected for defects.

Abstract: A rigging system for reactor closure head and reactor internals lifts. The system includes a plurality of latchbox pendants attached to the lifting structure of an overhead crane. A first set of a plurality of lifting lugs is attached to the reactor internals, each of the lifting lugs corresponding to one of the plurality of latchboxes. A second set of a plurality of substantially identical lifting lugs, each of the lifting lugs corresponding to one of the plurality of latchboxes, is attached to a plurality of solid rod lifting pendants attached at one end to the reactor closure head. In operation, the latchbox pendants may be rigged once to the overhead crane for handling reactor internals and left in place throughout the entire rigging sequence without changing to turnbuckle pendants for reactor closure head handling.

Abstract: An unburned carbon and other combustibles monitoring and control system for a fly ash producing fossil-fueled boiler, such as a pulverized coal fired boiler. An infrared imaging camera counts the moving hot particles entrained in the hot gases downstream of the furnace region of the boiler and provides a first signal representative of the number of hot particles in the hot gases over a predetermined period of time. A signal processor is connected to the infrared imaging camera for counting the hot particles for receiving the signal representative of the number of particles in the hot gases and providing a second signal representative of the mass flow of unburned carbon and other combustibles content of the fly ash produced by the boiler, the second signal being a function of the first signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding an existing repair sleeve in a steam generator to permit a new repair sleeve to be installed. The apparatus includes a variable cross-section elongated cylindrical capsule adapted to be positioned within the existing repair sleeve and an explosive charge inside the capsule whereby detonation of the charge expands the existing repair sleeve to permit the new repair sleeve to be installed. The variable cross-section of the capsule permits the explosive force to be "tuned" so that the existing tube expands evenly along its entire length, including the hard to expand ends of the existing sleeve, without overexpanding the tube. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conduit attached to one end of the capsule and at least one sleeve position indicator associated with the conduit. The sleeve position indicator associated with the conduit may be a predetermined index mark on the outer surface of the conduit, a hard stop located between the conduit and the capsule or both.

Abstract: A tool fixture device for positioning tools to repair defects adjacent to the sealing grooves in a pressure vessel head. The device includes a two pair of parallel, spaced apart, arcuate segments adapted to fit into one of the sealing grooves. A support plate is attached to the first and the second pair of parallel, spaced apart, arcuate segments. The fixture includes a plurality of threaded rods for expanding the ends of the parallel arcuate segments to engage the inside walls of one of the grooves to hold the fixture in place. In the preferred embodiment, a tool positioner is adapted to be attached to the support plate for positioning a repair tool to permit the repair tool to be used to repair defects adjacent to the sealing grooves. The tool positioner includes a planar table and a tool jig attached to the planar table for receiving the repair tool.

Abstract: A welding system for automatically welding two workpieces together at a joint. The system includes a welding box having an electrode for welding the workpieces together; a camera assembly for viewing selected regions of the workpieces including a first edge and a second edge of the joint; and a controller connected to the camera assembly and the welding box for receiving the location of the first edge and the second edge of the joint and calculating the centerline of the joint and providing an output signal representative of the difference of the relative position of the centerline of the joint and the centerline of the fusing element. In the preferred embodiment, a 2-axis light source illuminates the surface of the workpieces to better locate the centerline of the joint.

Abstract: A fuel assembly locator for guiding and inserting nuclear fuel assemblies into a grid plate of a reactor vessel during reload. In the preferred embodiment, the fuel assembly locator includes a plurality of generally trapezoidal guides each having a multiplicity of serially increasing tiered slope regions for gradually directing the fuel assembly precisely into a grid plate opening. The increasing slope regions allow greater positional tolerance between the exterior of the fuel assembly and the interior opening of the grid plate opening initially, thus requiring less time and precision to align the fuel assembly with respect to the grid plate opening. The tolerance then gradually decreases since the slope of each successive tier is greater than the previous tier, thus precisely directing the fuel assembly into alignment with the grid plate opening for insertion therein.

Abstract: A retractable probe for placing and removing corrosion coupons from a steam generator during chemical cleaning of the steam generator, the chemical process occurring at a relatively high pressure and temperature. The probe includes a series of inner-linked and hinged sections which may be manipulated to insert the probe within and through the various structures of the steam generator, including the shell and shroud, while avoiding contact with tie rods and blow down lines and facilitating easier operation within the tight confines of the barriers surrounding the generator system. A bendable Teflon.RTM. rod is used to withdraw the coupon through the differently angled sections of the probe and eventually through the nozzle opening or man-hole of the shell. A selectively openable valve is utilized in combination with a packing gland. This combination allows the coupon to be removed while the steam generator is being cleaned or operated.

Abstract: A narrow groove welding apparatus including a torch assembly with a replaceable gas cup so that different length gas cups can be used for different depth grooves. An adjustable support assembly is provided to permit corresponding positioning of auxiliary components, including visual monitoring assemblies, wire feed assemblies, and illumination assemblies to ensure proper alignment of the auxiliary components with the weld zone. A torch assembly permits ready replacement of electrodes to match gas cups, and electrically isolates the electrode from the gas cup.

Abstract: A lance tube formed of a tubular conduit having an inner end to be joined to a source of pressurized fluid, a closed distal end, a continuous wall between the inner and distal ends, and a plurality of tube discharge openings in the continuous wall; and a plurality of axially positioned fluid direction tubes within the conduit, each tube having a straight intake section generally axially aligned with the conduit and having an intake opening toward the conduit inner end, a straight discharge section having a discharge opening at one of the discharge openings in the conduit wall, and an intermediate curved section joining the intake and discharge sections, whereby fluid entering the conduit will be directed through the fluid direction conduits, and will be discharged in laminar flow from the discharge openings.

Abstract: A safety shroud of a nuclear reactor coolant pump. Capscrew heads, if broken, are prevented from separating from a nuclear reactor coolant pump having a drive shaft, an impeller secured to the drive shaft, a suction deflector secured to the impeller, and capscrews with outer heads securing the impeller and suction deflector to the drive shaft, by securing a safety shroud over the capscrew heads. The safety shroud may be secured by welding the safety shroud to the impeller or suction deflector, or by bolting the safety shroud to the distal end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An eddy current testing apparatus for nondestructive examination of pipe. The apparatus includes an eddy current coil adapted to removably circumferentially surround the pipe, the coil including a cable having a plurality of conductors adapted to form a continuous conductor coil when the cable is circumferentially wrapped around the pipe. A guide system extends along the length and adjacent to the surface of the pipe and a coil form is adapted to removably circumferentially surround the pipe and engage the guide system to provide for travel of the coil along the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube wall. The apparatus includes a probe head positioned at the end of an elongated probe carrier having an imbedded orientation indicator. In the preferred embodiment, an encoder measures the angular orientation of the probe head when facing the defect relative to the angular orientation of the carrier and a photodetector and reflective strip measure the angular orientation of the carrier relative to a known orientation. A data processor uses this data to calculate the angular orientation of the probe head and the location of the tube defect.

Abstract: A probe positioner for placing a monitoring device into the confines of a boiler or steam generator vessel. The apparatus includes a support arm having a plurality of links and hinges pivotally connecting the links. A handle is attached to a flange connected to the first link to provide axial rotation between first and second support arm orientations. A monitor mount for mounting monitoring devices is attached to the end of the third link opposite from the second link. The support arm is adapted to remain in the first support arm orientation while being horizontally placed through an opening in an inner and outer substantially vertically oriented wall and pivot downwardly at each hinge along the inner wall as the support arm is rotated from the first support arm orientation to the second support arm orientation without fully horizontally extending past the second wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a nuclear fuel assembly for leaks by sweeping a fluid along the fuel assembly while the fuel assembly is disposed in a pool. The apparatus includes a bridge overlying the pool and a mast assembly depending from the bridge. The mast assembly includes an outer, stationary mast and an inner, movable mast adapted to hold the fuel assembly and to position the fuel assembly in the interior channel between the upper and lower ends. The apparatus includes an injection assembly including an injection conduit, a nozzle and a clamp system for securing the nozzle to the outer mast. The apparatus also includes a suction conduit having an inlet disposed in fluid communication with the interior channel for collecting the fluid after the fluid sweeps the fuel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously separating ion exchange resin particles with upwardly flowing carrier fluid. The apparatus includes a first vertically oriented separation vessel and a first collection vessel for receiving the first fraction of resin particles from the upper zone of the first separation vessel. A first rejuvenation tank is connected to the first collection vessel for receiving the first fraction of resin particles from the first collection vessel. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second vertically oriented separation vessel and a second collection vessel for receiving the first sub-fraction of the second fraction of resin particles from the upper zone of the second separation vessel.

Abstract: A resonating electroplating anode electrode for electroplating the inside surfaces of steam generator tubing. The resonating electroplating anode electrode is formed from a plurality of tubular ceramic resonating material pieces glued to the inside and/or to one end of an anode tube to create a single resonating volume. In operation, an electrolyte solution is fed to the outside of the electrode in an annulus formed between the steam generator tube and the anode and returns through a hollow center in the anode. During use, the resonating materials resonate within the electrolyte solution during the electroplating process, thus creating an ultrasound enhanced-electroplating process.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and processing of motor currents to determine motor characteristics under various loads. In the preferred embodiment, the invention employs a spectrum analyzer that having a plurality of digitally controlled switched capacitor filters under control of a personal computer. Sampling of both voltage and current simultaneously allows for calculation of instantaneous motor power and power factor, which are used to monitor the motor's performance. An acoustical output, generated under computer control is used to give the operator feedback on the motor's operation. The output signal is derived from low frequency or infrasonic sensing and is then stepped up to a frequency that the operator can hear. This permits the analyst to "hear" the condition of the motor under load. A CRT display to show the frequency spectrum and time display.