Abstract: A method of decontaminating an object removed from a nuclear power plant utilizing a decontamination system is disclosed. The decontamination system includes a platform, an imaging system, a robotic arm including an end effector configured to discharge a decontamination medium, and a control system operably coupled to the imaging system and the robotic arm. The method includes placing the object on the platform, scanning, by the imaging system, the object, generating, by the control system, a three-dimensional model of the object based on the scanned object, planning, by the control system, a decontamination path based on the generated three-dimensional model, controlling, by the control system, a position of the robotic arm according to the planned decontamination path, and discharging, by the end effector, the decontamination medium onto the object at a plurality of positions along the planned decontamination path.

Abstract: A seal assembly, having: a mating ring; a stationary seal ring having a sealing surface and a seat surface; and a primary seal assembly; where the mating ring contacts the sealing surface of the seal ring and the primary seal assembly at least partially surrounds the seal ring and at least partially contacts the seat surface.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating an object removed from a nuclear power plant utilizing a decontamination system is disclosed. The decontamination system includes a platform, an imaging system, a robotic arm including an end effector configured to discharge a decontamination medium, and a control system operably coupled to the imaging system and the robotic arm. The method includes placing the object on the platform, scanning, by the imaging system, the object, generating, by the control system, a three-dimensional model of the object based on the scanned object, planning, by the control system, a decontamination path based on the generated three-dimensional model, controlling, by the control system, a position of the robotic arm according to the planned decontamination path, and discharging, by the end effector, the decontamination medium onto the object at a plurality of positions along the planned decontamination path.

Abstract: A runner assembly for mounting to, and rotating with, a pump shaft of a pump includes a support member to be fixed to the pump shaft; a seal face ring positioned on, and mounted to the support member by a support shroud coupled to the support member; and an outer O-ring positioned in an upward and radially outward facing notch defined in a top portion of the support member. The outer O-ring forms a static sealed joint between the top of the support member and the bottom of the seal face ring.

Abstract: A controlled leakage, hydrostatic, mechanical seal that eliminates sources of contact friction; advantageously locating contact friction forces to be in alignment with the seal face centroid; optimizes the seal face design to achieve maximum hydrostatic film stiffness and minimum sensitivity to radial taper; eliminating unnecessary O-rings and other sources of significant force variation; utilizes a design-for-manufacture approach to design hardware that can be consistently manufactured to precise tolerances; optimizes the double delta channel seal to achieve adequate compression, minimal frictional drag force, and maximum wear resistance; eliminates sources of circumferential waviness such as bolt preload and other non-axisymmetric features; and, thermally isolates components of different materials to mitigate the deformation due to differential thermal expansion.