Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component including the steps of generating nondestructive examination data of the component in the field and separately generating nondestructive examination data of a specimen machined to simulate selected flaws in the component and combining portions of the specimen data with the field data in a combined data stream.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component including the steps of generating nondestructive examination data of the component in the field and separately generating nondestructive examination data of a specimen machined to simulate selected flaws in the component and combining portions of the specimen data with the field data in a combined data stream.

Abstract: The wall of a pressure vessel tube having cracks or other discontinuities is repaired by localized melting with the addition of an alloying material. The melting reforms or eliminates the discontinuity while the alloying material improves the physical and chemical properties of the reformed tube wall. The alloying material may be added as an insert or as a weld wire. The insert may be melted in only its center section to ensure that the entire weld is properly alloyed. Sections of the insert which are not melted may be expanded to be in intimate contact with the tube. The weld wire feed means may be integral with the welding head. A post-weld stress relief process may be applied to the welded area to reduce residual stress generated by the welding operation.

Abstract: A steam generator has a bundle of U-shaped tubes arranged in spaced rows and columns with a pair of spaced rows of elongated primary antivibration bars installed between U-shaped portions of the tubes in the spaced columns and a pair of spaced retainer members disposed about the exterior of U-shaped portions of the tubes with opposite ends of the primary bars being rigidly attached to the respective retainer members. An antivibration apparatus is provided for substantially closing gaps between the U-shaped tube portions in the columns and the primary bars. The apparatus includes a row of elongated supplementary antivibration bars disposed between the rows of the primary bars. The supplementary bars extend between the U-shaped portions of the tubes through the space between, at the most, every other one of the spaced columns thereof.

Abstract: A steam generator has a bundle of U-shaped tubes arranged in spaced rows and columns with a pair of spaced rows of elongated primary antivibration bars installed between U-shaped portions of the tubes in the spaced columns and a pair of spaced retainer members disposed about the exterior of U-shaped portions of the tubes with opposite ends of the primary bars being rigidly attached to the respective retainer members. An antivibration apparatus is provided for substantially closing gaps between the U-shaped tube portions in the columns and the primary bars. The apparatus includes a row of elongated supplementary antivibration bars disposed between the rows of the primary bars. The supplementary bars extend between the U-shaped portions of the tubes through the space between, at the most, every other one of the spaced columns thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an apparatus for substantially eliminating flow induced vibrations of the flow tubes of a steam generator in the U-bend region. Antivibration bars are provided between columns of flow tubes in the U-bend region which are contoured on one side to correspond with the exact as-built and as-bent diameter of the tubes as located within the tube bundle. Measurements of the actual flow tube diameters are made and recorded and stored either on tape or in a computer which is then used to control a numerically operated machine which configures or machines cutouts in the antivibration bars to precisely correspond with the respective measured diameters of the flow tubes. Only one side of the antivibration bars need to be machined because of the flexibility of the flow tubes which allow the positioning of the other side of the flow tubes along a flat plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substantially eliminating flow induced vibrations of the flow tubes of a steam generator in the U-bend region. Antivibration bars are provided between columns of flow tubes in the U-bend region which are contoured on one side to correspond with the exact as-built and as-bent diameter of the tubes as located within the tube bundle. Measurements of the actual flow tube diameters are made and recorded and stored either on tape or in a computer which is then used to control a numerically operated machine which configures or machines cutouts in the antivibration bars to precisely correspond with the respective measured diameters of the flow tubes. Only one side of the antivibration bars need to be machined because of the flexibility of the flow tubes which allow the positioning of the other side of the flow tubes along a flat plane.

Abstract: A steam generator for nuclear power plant applications. U-shaped heat exchanger tubes within said steam generator are provided with compliant antivibration bars at the U-shaped portion of the tubes. Flexible plates located at opposite sides of the antivibration bars are placed in contact with the opposite sides of the rows of tubes. Support ribs spaced along the length of the compliant bars limit the deflection of the flexible plates and establish the effective length of the flexible plates. The ribs in successive columns of antivibration bars are located between the ribs of the bars of each preceding and following row.

Abstract: Mechanical attachment apparatus is disclosed whereby antivibration bars are attached to a retaining ring at the location of the bent or curbed portion of the flow tube bundle of a stream generator adapted for use with a nuclear power plant. The mechanical attachment apparatus can be used with passive or expandable antivibration bars. A cylindrical member having a relatively long hook member attached thereto is connected to the ends of the antivibration bars. The hook member allows for wide variations in positioning when attaching the antivibration bars to a retaining ring located at and conforming to the periphery of the tube bundle. Latch apparatus secures the ring within the hook member. The attachment apparatus and the installation procedure are adapted to be performed under water using long-handled tools.

Abstract: A steam generator for use with a nuclear power plant is provided with expandable antivibration bars. The antivibration bars are positioned between columns of tubes in the steam generator and are attached to retaining rings surrounding the bundle of tubes. The antivibration bars are provided with upper and lower bars having mating surfaces comprising series connected inclined planes which allow for relative motion between the upper and lower bars and provide a means to increase the overall thickness across the two bars. Take-up means are provided to guide and assure proper relative motion. The antivibration bars are divided into two elongated lengths each of which forms one of the legs of the "U" shape which the antivibration bar assumes at installation. A double pivot is provided at the connection between the two legs to allow side-by-side positioning of the legs which facilitates installation into an already built steam generator.