Patents Assigned to Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
  • Patent number: 4671904
    Abstract: UO.sub.2 base powder exhibiting any specific surface and crystallite diameter properties is mixed with rare earth (SE) oxide-containing powder, the particles of which exhibit at least in one surface layer, a crystal lattice of the fluorite type, with the stoichiometric composition (SE.sub.0.5, U.sub.0.5) 0.sub.2.00 and/or form it in sintering; and is compacted to form compacts which are sintered in a gas atmosphere with reducing action at 1500.degree. C. to 1750.degree. C. to form high-density sintered bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Dorr, Gerhard Gradel, Martin Peehs
  • Patent number: 4671925
    Abstract: A method for operating a nuclear reactor having reactor coolant including an exhaust gas source and an exhaust gas system connected to the exhaust gas source, the exhaust gas system having at least one compressor connected to the exhaust gas source, a gas cooler connected to the compressor, a first reducing valve connected to the gas cooler, a switching valve connected to the first reducing valve, a moisture adsorber connected to the switching valve, a delay line normally connected in parallel with the moisture adsorber, a gas loop connected between the moisture adsorber and the compressor, a flue connection set at a given pressure during normal operation, and a second reducing valve connected between the delay line and the flue connection, includes interconnecting the delay line and the moisture adsorber in series, setting the flue connection to a pressure at least twice as high as the given pressure, reversing the switching valve thus allowing the exhaust gas to pass from the moisture adsorber to the delay
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Queiser, Bernd Eckardt
  • Patent number: 4669270
    Abstract: Power generating station with a high-temperature reactor, a steam power generating station connected to the high-temperature reactor, a plant for generating hydrogen from carbon-containing material, with a coal gasifier for the hydrogenating coal gasification, a gas purification plant connected to the gas stream of the coal gasifier, a low-temperature gas separation plant following the gas purification and a tube cracking furnace which is connected to the methane line of this gas decomposition plant heated by the heat transporting medium of the high-temperature reactor for cracking a methane/steam mixture, and with a gas processing plant which is connected to the exhaust gas line of the tube cracking furnace and consists of at least one heat exchanger, a converting plant and a carbon dioxide scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Frewer, Rainer Muller, Ulrich Schiffers
  • Patent number: 4669165
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a split spur gear having adjacent external teeth with tooth roots therebetween and of mounting the spur gear onto a shaft having a first cylindrical portion including a seating surface for the spur gear with a given diameter and a second cylindrical portion adjacent the seating surface for operating the spur gear with a diameter smaller than the given diameter includes subdividing an entire gear body having a region intended for tooth roots into gear rings for forming at least one separating surface therein normal to the axis of the gear, subdividing each gear ring into at least two toothless ring segments by forming separating gaps therein offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the gear through the region intended for tooth roots, interconnecting the gear rings by locking connection elements in place parallel to the axis of the gear, shrinking the gear body onto an auxiliary mandrel, making external teeth on the gear body after the gear body has been shrun
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Maghon
  • Patent number: 4667500
    Abstract: A flaring device for pipe ends including an insert member centrally insertable into a pipe end, the insert member having mounted thereon synchronously operable pressure plungers arranged at the outer circumference thereof and bringable into engagement with the inner circumference of the pipe end to be flared, includes a calibrating ring for determining a maximum outer circumference defined by the pressure plungers mounted on the insert member, the calibrating ring being in operative engagement with the insert member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Mechtold, Robert Weber
  • Patent number: 4665865
    Abstract: A steam generator includes first and second mutually parallel flue gas flues; the first flue gas flue having an upper end, an intermediate ceiling at the upper end having an upper surface, a cross flue leading from the first to the second flue gas flue, and first and second vertical walls formed of pipes and disposed opposite each other as seen along the cross flue; a steam generator frame supporting the intermediate ceiling; the intermediate ceiling being formed of pipes gas-tightly welded to each other and disposed alongside each other in one layer in tube tracks extended along the cross flue; each of the pipes of the intermediate ceiling changing into a respective pipe of one of the vertical walls; and first and second vertical suspension pipes connected from a common location along a given one of the tube tracks through the upper surface of the intermediate ceiling and through the cross flue to the steam generator frame for suspending the intermediate ceiling, the first suspension pipe changing into a pip
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst-Dieter Zubrod
  • Patent number: 4666663
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly having a grid-shaped spacer for retaining fuel rods, the spacer includes four flat, sheet metal outer straps disposed on edge at right angles to the fuel rods defining corners of the spacer, inner sheet metal straps disposed within the outer sheet metal straps, the inner straps include two given inner straps each being transverse to one of two respective given outer straps at a corner of the spacer dividing the spacer into meshes for fuel rods including a corner mesh at a corner of the spacer and two other meshes laterally adjacent the corner mesh, a contact spring for a fuel rod disposed in the corner mesh, the contact spring having two end parts each being locked in a respective recess formed in one of the given inner straps locking the contact spring to one of the given outer straps, the recesses starting from an end edge of the one given inner strap parallel to the fuel rods, two extended arms in the corner mesh each being integral with a respective one of the end parts and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Steinke
  • Patent number: 4663931
    Abstract: Power generating plant with an integrated coal gasification plant, with a heat exchanger and gas purification plant connected to the coal gasifier, with a gas turbine and steam power generating plant part connected to the heat exchanger and gas purification plant, and with a methanol synthesis plant. The methanol generated in the methanol synthesis plant as well as the synthesis exhaust gas of the methanol synthesis can be fed, at least partially, to a further subplant for a second chemical manufacturing process and the excess synthesis exhaust gas from the methanol synthesis and the exhaust from this further subplant, to the combustion chamber of the gas turbine power generating plant part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Schiffers, Rainer Muller
  • Patent number: 4664872
    Abstract: Device for disposing of elongated core instrumentation probes from nuclear reactors, the device having a guide for the probes to be disposed of, shears for cutting the elongated probes into sections and a shroud for receiving the sections, including a shielded storage container, the guide including a switch for bypassing the shroud, and means for controlling the switch together with the shears for directing relatively long probe sections having a relatively low radiation level into the shroud, and for cutting probe parts having a relatively high radiation level into manifold shorter sections and guiding the manifold shorter sections of the probes having the relatively high radiation level into the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Christoph Kiewitz, Armin Dietsch, Manfred Tennie
  • Patent number: 4662902
    Abstract: An evaporation cooling tower, includes an outer tower wall defining an interior of the cooling tower having upper and lower regions, the wall having ambient air intake holes formed in the periphery thereof at the lower region, a cooling water trickling system disposed in the interior of the cooling tower through which ambient intake air flows, electrostatic discharge shafts at the upper region for receiving relatively moist and warm exhaust air and precipitating fine water droplets therefrom, and a device for admixing relatively cool ambient air to the warm and moist exhaust air flowing to the discharge shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Meyer-Pittroff
  • Patent number: 4663112
    Abstract: Method for determining the contents of a fuel rod within a testing range extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuel rod, characterized by the features that(a) the position of a test coil concentrically surrounding the fuel rod is changed from the beginning to the end of the testing range, and(b) in the process, the impedance of the test coil is measured as a function of its position,(c) the test coil is fed with an a-c voltage,(d) the frequency of which is so low that the measurement value in the region of a fuel pellet of pure uranium dioxide is clearly distinguished from that which is measured in the region of a doped fuel pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Gradel, Peter Wahode, Wolfgang Dorr
  • Patent number: 4656870
    Abstract: Ultrasonic testing device with a test head which includes an electromechanical transducer, especially a piezoelectric oscillator, with an ultrasonic equipment and with a shielded cable which connects the test head to the ultrasonic equipment. The test head has two electrically conducting shields which surround the transducer in cup-fashion. The two shields are connected to the outer conductors of the triple coaxial cable. The outer conductor of the cable is connected to a metal housing of the ultrasonic equipment and is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Ruthrof, Georg Holzler, Rudolf Korner
  • Patent number: 4657450
    Abstract: A manipulator head for the remotely controlled positioning and operation of a tool in the interior of a pipe includes:first support flanges having guiding elements and clamping devices;a tubular tool holder frame having second support flanges interconnecting the first support flanges and being rotatably supported thereby;a rotating tool including a milling cutter at an assembly opening in the tool holder for machining the inner wall surface of a pipe;a first guide rail attached to the inner wall surface of the tool holder, a first slide axially movable on the first guide rail, a first driving device coupled to the first slide for axially moving the tool;a second guide rail fastened to the first slide, a second slide radially movable on the second guide rail, a second driving device coupled to the second slide for radially setting the tool;the milling cutter being fastened to the second slide, a third driving device coupled to the milling cutter for a working motion of the tool; anda fourth driving device disp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Forner, Georg Gebald
  • Patent number: 4655978
    Abstract: Method for sintering blanks into fuel pellets, in which the blanks are moved through the muffle of a tunnel furnace by pushing the blanks through the muffle on a guiding device which goes through the muffle and protrudes therefrom at least on the input side, in the form of a single-layer column of abutting blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Assmann, Wolfgang Dorr, Georg Maier, Martin Peehs
  • Patent number: 4655968
    Abstract: Radioactive wastes are treated in a furnace which has electrodes for electric heating. The furnace has at the lower end an outlet for slag material as well as a gas discharge line. Its well is a self-supporting tubular body which is arranged detachably in a metal furnace housing. At the upper end of the well is a line for feeding water. Thereby, carbon-containing waste, possibly also carbon of a carbon bed, is reacted to form water gas (CO+H.sub.2), which is burned after purification in an exhaust gas plant. The outlet of the metal housing has a movable grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Queiser, Siegfried Meininger, Karl-Heinz Kleinschroth
  • Patent number: 4651519
    Abstract: Combined gas turbine/steam turbine plant, in which the exhaust gas line of the gas turbine block containing an air compressor, combustion chamber, gas turbine and generator is connected on the primary side to a steam generator which, in turn, comprises parts of the steam turbine block which also contains a high pressure and a low pressure turbine, a condenser, a feedwater tank and a feedwater pump. The combustion chamber of the gas turbine block is connected to the output of a coal gasification plant, the air separation unit which has an outlet for the separated nitrogen and the gasifier. The gasifier is followed by a steam generator for utilizing the raw gas heat and a heat exchanger for heating the purified gas by the raw gas. The steam generator arranged ahead of the raw gas/purified gas heat exchanger is designed as a high pressure steam generator, the secondary output of which is connected to the output of the steam generator of the steam turbine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Goebel, Bernard Becker
  • Patent number: 4645637
    Abstract: Manipulator for carrying out measurements, tests, inspections and repairs in an open-top reactor pressure vessel comprising a manipulator bridge movable along the auxiliary bridge a platform with a substructure disposed above the manipulator bridge a non-rotating boom supported by a bearing surface supported by the platform, the boom projecting into the pressure vessel, guide rails disposed over the entire length of the boom, a U-shaped channel disposed over the length of the boom a boom bearing including a cylindrical part on the substructure, two roller guides inside the cylindrical part, a retaining mechanism for the boom, a carriage including a sleeve tube enclosing the boom braced against the boom, rollers guiding the tube, a fixed support ring, a rotatable support ring, a supporting member supported about the carriage for equipment, drives for the supporting members a load lifting device moving the carriage along the boom including cable drums cables wound on the drums with a free end fastened to a brac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Bauer, Hans Kastl
  • Patent number: 4645581
    Abstract: Method for electropolishing the inner surface of an U-shaped heat exchanger tube with an electrode connected to a negative pole of a d-c voltage source, the electrode being slidable into the heat exchanger tube and withdrawable out of the tube by a pulling member, and with a pump connected to an electrolyte tank for feeding electrolyte into the heat exchanger tube, which comprises inserting into two chambers, respectively, formed in a bottom hemispherical shell of a heat exchanger, respective manipulators formed with jibs for positioning tube probes by remote control into end openings of U-shaped heat exchanger tubes disposed in the heat exchanger and opening into the chambers; pressing by the manipulators respective adapters, which are connected to hose connectors and are carried at respective free ends of the manipulator jibs, to the end openings of the heat exchanger tubes through the intermediary of respective seals so as to align in each of the chambers the end opening of one of the U-shaped heat exchang
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Voggenthaler, Hermann Operschall, Jakob Weber
  • Patent number: 4642417
    Abstract: A concentric three-conductor cable includes an inner conductor and outer conductors formed of braided strands, and insulating material separating the outer conductors from each other and from the inner conductor, each the other conductors being formed of a plurality of layers and the d-c resistance of the outer conductors being several times smaller than the d-c resistance of said inner conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Ruthrof, Rudolf Korner, Jurgen Dorner
  • Patent number: 4640346
    Abstract: A tube lane manipulator for the high-pressure blow-down of heat exchangers with tubes spaced apart by a given tube pitch includes a guide rail extended along the tube lane having a vertical leg with holes formed therein at mutual spacings substantially matched to the tube pitch; a stepping mechanism extended along and locked to the guide rail, the stepping mechanism including two stepping mechanism members, a device for executing steps of a length substantially matched to the tube pitch, clamping feet in the form of posts, and a device for extending the posts into the holes formed in the vertical leg for fixing the stepping mechanism members in a position provided by the steps; a spraying head carrier coupled to one of the stepping mechanism members, a spraying head holder, a device for telescopically extending and guiding the spraying head holder along the spraying head carrier in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail, and a spraying head with at least one spraying nozzle disposed on the spraying head
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Weber, Josef Forster