Abstract: A manipulator for remotely controlled underwater operation in a nuclear radiation environment to perform service activities at difficult to access regions of the reactor vessel is disclosed. The manipulator includes six degrees of freedom in its ability to move so that it can get past obstructions inside a reactor vessel to access and service remote locations in the vessel. The manipulator also includes a rotary drive for inserting and removing the manipulator into and from a reactor vessel and for rotating the manipulator within the vessel. It also includes an arm with two rotary joints and three pivot joints that can be deployed for better access to difficult to reach locations. The manipulator, which is remotely operated, can be used to manipulate a variety of tools to perform various service activities. The tools, which are attached to the end of the arm, include a water jet, a gripper, a cutter and a camera.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for remotely inspecting and/or treating welds, pipes, vessels and/or other components used in reactor coolant systems or other process applications to, among other things, mitigate stress corrosion cracking in the welds, pipes, vessels and/or other components. The tool is placed at the entrance to a pipe or vessel and walks into the pipe or vessel to a pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component. Upon reaching the pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component, the tool anchors itself, then advances an end effector to inspect and/or treat the pre-selected weld, pipe or vessel location or other component.

Abstract: Method of joining a first metal to a surface of a second metal at a region susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, comprising applying an SCC-resistant Noble Metal weld Buttering or Noble Metal weld Cladding to said first metal prior adjacent to said region prior to welding said first metal to said surface of said second metal. Alternately, a method of applying Noble Metal Cladding over existing SCC susceptible weld deposits and/or heat affected zones. A metal component containing a Noble Metal weld Cladding or Buttering over existing SCC susceptible weld deposits and/or heat affected zones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method arranged to use a combination of at least electrical resistance heating and mechanical friction heating to case a base material and/or a consumable material to reach a combination of temperature and pressure sufficient to cause welding. The method and apparatus configured for the simultaneous or substantially simultaneous application of both electrical resistance heating and friction heating to achieve welding is referred to as an electrofriction process, method or apparatus. This combination of resistance and friction heating allows the heating to be more localized within a relatively small weld zone, thereby improving the efficiency of the overall process and allowing the size, weight and strength and/or the cost of the application equipment and/or associated fixtures and power supplies to be reduced while enhancing its capability for operation in confined spaces and providing satisfactory welding performance.

Abstract: A seal plate for repairing damaged areas in a pressure vessel cladding includes a first side and an opposing second side and a sealing portion located on the second side, with the sealing portion circumscribing the seal plate. The seal plate also includes a seal lip extending from a periphery of the sealing portion and a cavity located in the second side, with the cavity circumscribed by the sealing portion. The seal plate further includes at least one purge port extending from the first side to the cavity. Each purge port is in fluid communication with the cavity.