Abstract: An eddy current probe for inspecting steam generator tubing, that has radially outwardly biased rollers that function to center the probe and reduce friction as the probe moves along the interior of the steam generator heat exchanger tube walls. The rollers may include a braking system which controls the drag on the rollers and thus the speed of the probe along the tubing. The direction of travel of the rollers is remotely adjustable to control the inspection pattern and the force of the rollers against the interior surface of the tubing can be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A manipulator for servicing tubes extending through a tube sheet having three major components: a base member, a block member, and a foot member. The base member has a holder for supporting tooling or inspection devices. The base member also has at least one gripper for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The block member is connected to the base member for linear movement and rotation relative to the base member. The foot member is connected to the block member for linear movement relative to the block member. The foot member has at least one, and preferably two grippers, for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The manipulator supports itself using the two sets of expandable and translatable grippers that anchor into the tube ends and can move from tube to tube by alternately engaging each set of grippers.

Abstract: A manipulator for servicing tubes extending through a tube sheet having three major components: a base member, a block member, and a foot member. The base member has a holder for supporting tooling or inspection devices. The base member also has at least one gripper for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The block member is connected to the base member for linear movement and rotation relative to the base member. The foot member is connected to the block member for linear movement relative to the block member. The foot member has at least one, and preferably two grippers, for releasably gripping a tube extending through the tube sheet. The manipulator supports itself using the two sets of expandable and translatable grippers that anchor into the tube ends and can move from tube to tube by alternately engaging each set of grippers.

Abstract: A component maintenance system having a network linked to a data acquisition system, a data analysis system, a historical file of component design and inspection information, and a diagnostic system having the capability to perform structural analysis of discontinuities identified by the data acquisition system. The network nodes may be located apart from each other; for example in the maintenance of a nuclear power plant steam generator, the data acquisition system may be located in a high radiation area while the data analysis system is safely located away from the radiation areas. Furthermore, the diagnostic system and the file of component design and inspection history information may be centrally located and shared to support component evaluations being conducted in numerous geographic locations. Network communication facilitates the rapid evaluation of discontinuities, thereby permitting the inspection plan to be modified as the inspection results are obtained.

Abstract: A modular fuel assembly for a nuclear thermal engine includes a plurality of fuel elements each having a fueled, truncated conical shell and an unfueled peripheral lip at the base of the shell with radial passages there-through. The fuel elements are nested with the lips seating one on top of another to form a stack of fuel elements with frusto-conical flow passages between the shells of adjacent fuel elements which are divided into channels by ribs on the conical shells. The stack of fuel elements is mounted in a cylindrical housing with the bases of the shells facing a central inlet opening at one end of the housing. Propellant enters the central inlet opening, is deflected radially outward by a deflector into an annular flow distribution channel from which it flows radially inward through the passages in the fuel element lips, through the flow channels of frusto-conical passages between the fueled shells where it is heated, and out through a central exhaust passage.

Abstract: The package includes a body and a closure. A readily breakable electrical oscillatory network sans power supply is physically connected between the body and the closure. The network is tuned to resonate at a predetermined frequency. The package is monitored by a transmitter-receiver when it is distributed to a customer. The transmitter produces pulse signals in a carrier frequency band which overlaps the resonant frequency of the network. During monitoring the package is placed in the field of the transmitter and the oscillatory network is excited to produce a decaying pulse for each transmitter pulse. The receiver is gated during the interval when each transmitter pulse is generated but is receptive of the corresponding decaying pulse from the network. If the package is sealed, the oscillatory network is intact and the receiver receives decaying pulses which produce visual or audible signals. If the package has been opened, the network is broken and no signals are produced.

Abstract: A hybrid robotic joint actuator utilizing both the quick response time of an electric motor and the high torque capacity of a pneumatic motor. In one preferred embodiment, the hybrid motor includes a pneumatic rotor coupled to an electric rotor in a common stator housing.