Abstract: A system diagnoses the operability of a rotating electrical apparatus such as a reactor coolant pump (RCP) motor. The RCP motor includes a rotatable shaft, a stator, a bearing assembly and a bearing insulator. The bearing assembly electrically contacts the rotatable shaft and the bearing insulator at least partially electrically insulates the rotatable shaft and the bearing assembly from the stator. The system includes a shaft transformer and voltage source for inducing a voltage in the rotatable shaft; a variable resistor in parallel with the bearing insulator having first and second resistances; an analog-to-digital converter for sensing a first voltage associated with the first resistance and a second voltage associated with the second resistance; and means for determining the operability or the impedance of the bearing insulator from the first and second voltages and the second resistance.

Abstract: An online system for diagnosing operability of a rotating electrical apparatus includes sensors producing electrical variables corresponding to operating conditions of the apparatus, data converters for converting the electrical variables to digital values, a comparator for comparing the values to corresponding predetermined baseline values of the apparatus and producing a corresponding comparison value, and a signalling mechanism for outputting signals related to a period of predicted operability of the apparatus whenever the comparison value exceeds a corresponding predetermined deadband value. The operating conditions may be non-electrical operating conditions, such as a condition of a lubrication system or a bearing of the apparatus. Alternatively, the sensors may sense electrical insulation non-thermal parameters during operation of the apparatus, in order to produce signals related to the operability of an insulator of the apparatus.

Abstract: An auxiliary flexible vacuum seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system employs a flexible boot member having a pair of longitudinally-displaced opposite open end portions and a pair of side-by-side longitudinally-extending side portions in the form of flanges defining a split in the boot member along a side thereof and extending between the open end portions for allowing flexing of the boot member between open and closed side configurations to permit its installation and removal on and from the pump. The seal also employs clamping brackets and fasteners for releasably and sealably clamping together the flanges of the boot member at the split to retain the boot member in its closed configuration.

Abstract: A pump has a pair of seal parts which are arranged to undergo axial translatory motion and a seal assembly associated with the seal parts. The seal assembly includes an annular liner disposed within a groove in one seal part and projecting therefrom toward a cylindrical surface of the other seal part, and a flexibly resilient annular O-ring disposed within the groove between the cylindrical surface of the other seal part and a surface of the liner which extends generally parallel to the cylindrical surface of the other seal part. The O-ring is seatable on a radial surface of the annular liner and projects from the groove farther across a gap between the seal parts than the liner and into contact with the cylindrical surface of the other seal part such that the O-ring is capable of rolling on the cylindrical surface of the other seal part and slipping on the radial surface of the annular liner upon translatory movement of the seal parts relative to one another.

Abstract: A pump includes an annular runner and annular seal ring mounted for undergoing relative rotation. The runner includes an annular support member and an annular faceplate member. The faceplate member has a sealing surface and is mounted by a clamp ring member to the annular support member.

Abstract: An auxiliary flexible vacuum seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system employs a flexible boot member having a pair of longitudinally-displaced opposite open end portions and a pair of side-by-side longitudinally-extending side portions in the form of flanges defining a split in the boot member along a side thereof and extending between the open end portions for allowing flexing of the boot member between open and closed side configurations to permit its installation and removal on and from the pump. The seal also employs clamping brackets and fasteners for releasably and sealably clamping together the flanges of the boot member at the split to retain the boot member in its closed configuration.

Abstract: An improved bi-switch construction is provided having an interrupting device arranged in electrical parallel relation therewith so that the circuit through each of the two switches is made through the interrupting device, and, subsequently, the interrupting device is shorted out in the closed-circuit position of the particular switch being operated. During the opening operation, again the interrupting device is brought into play so that a parallel electrical path is provided in shunt relationship to the particular switch being operated through the interrupting device, the interrupting switch assuming the burden of interrupting the circuit; and subsequently the particular switch being operated provides an isolating gap from the interrupting device.

Abstract: An improved electrical cable coupler incorporates rotatable protective covers on its plug and socket members to automatically protect the plug and socket contacts against contamination when the plug and socket members are disconnected and to allow the contacts to be electrically engaged when the plug and socket members are connected together. Each protective cover includes one or more openings which correspond in number and location to the electrical contacts on the plug and socket members. Each cover is rotatable between a protective position in which its openings are out of alignment with the respective contacts to provide protection against contamination and an operative position in which the openings are aligned with the respective contacts to expose the contacts for electrical engagement.

Abstract: A cable tap assembly for connecting a tapping concentric cable to a high-voltage energized concentric cable. The tap assembly includes a two-piece housing having openings through which the cables extend. The tapped cable extends through two of the openings, and the tapping cable extends through a third opening. A fourth opening in the housing permits access for engaging a clamping assembly with the center conductor of the tapped cable. The clamping assembly includes two hinged members having knife contacts thereon. When the hinged members are forced together, the knife contacts pierce the insulation and make contact with the center conductor of the tapped cable. The tapping cable is electrically connected to the clamping assembly. A liquid insulating material is injected into the housing and allowed to solidify. The housing and the clamping assembly may first be positioned around the grounded portion of the tapped cable and then moved over to a prepared ungrounded portion of the tapped cable.