Abstract: A shot peening system for peening the tubes of a steam generator continuously generates a shot stream and withdraws the shot stream dispensing nozzle into a vacuum chamber in an end effector while repositioning the nozzle for peening the next tube. A load tank forms an air lock for recycling shot recovered and cleaned by the vacuum system to a pressurized peen tank which feeds the recycled shot to a feed valve for mixing with a flow of compressed air to generate the shot stream. The pressure on the shot in the feed tank and the pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the feed valve are independently regulated to adjust the concentration of shot in the shot stream. The feed valve is constructed for ease of assembly and repair, and directs flow of a purge gas across the shot feed orifice and into a purge line which cycles shot and debris purged from the feed valve to the shot cleaning equipment on the vacuum side.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for remotely positioning a probe, such as an examination or repair probe, in a tubular member. The tubular member may be a nuclear steam generator heat transfer tube to be examined or repaired by the probe. The probe is connected to a conduit which supports the probe as the probe advances along the inner diameter of the tube to the location of the tube requiring examination or repair. The conduit has a portion thereof wound about a take-up reel. As the probe and conduit advance in the tube, it unwinds from about the take-up reel. However, as the conduit unwinds from about the take-up reel, it may tend to develop a "kinked", twisted or contorted region therein inducing torsional stress in the conduit. Such torsional stress may be severe enough to break the conduit. The apparatus of the invention includes a gripper capable of gripping the conduit and also includes a rotator connected to the gripper for rotating both the gripper and the conduit gripped thereby.

Abstract: A laser welding system is disclosed in which a high power laser produces the laser beam for delivery to a weld site. A transmitter is optically coupled to the laser and directs the laser beam to a spatially separated receiver. The receiver has an input alignable for receiving the directed laser beam and including optics for delivering the laser beam to the weld site. A pair of directable beam deflectors are employed for aligning the transmitter and the receiver. A pair of steering deflectors introduce the laser beam into the transmitter. A selectable mounting allows the laser to be secured at various orientations relative to the steering mirrors and the weld site. The transmitter and the receiver each have a detector positioned for receiving an alignment laser beam at a point which indicates alignment. The transmitter and the receiver include steppable drives for positioning their respective deflectors. The alignment laser is aligned at a starting block on the receiver detector and the transmitter detector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a laser welding head is formed of a hollow tubular housing, and includes multiple focusing means for refocusing and realigning the laser beam if it is misaligned relative to the axis of the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of a plurality of flexibly interconnected segments having at least one focusing means in each segment for realigning the beam and for directing the laser beam along interconnected linear paths.

Abstract: An inspection system and process for inspecting a plurality of conduits mounted in a manifold is disclosed herein. The system generally comprises a probe carrier for driving an eddy current or ultrasonic probe throughout the conduits to be inspected, and a delivery assembly detachably mountable within the manifold for remotely delivering and inserting the probe carrier into the open ends of the conduits. The delivery system includes an insertion and pusher mechanism for selectively inserting and pushing the probe carrier through the open ends of the tubes, a rail assembly which is removably mountable within the manifold, and a carriage slidably mounted on the rail assembly for supporting and axially positioning the insertion and pusher mechanism. Angular and axial electric drive motors are also provided for rotating and moving the insertion and pusher to a selected angle around and point along the longitudinal axis of the manifold.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing primary tubes of steam generator of a nuclear reactor. The tubes are under water because they are radioactive and also because it is undesirable to expose the tubes to oxidation. The tubes are in a confined region of the steam generator affording limited access for cutting. The apparatus includes a file whose cutting surface is cylindrical. The file is located wholly in the region where the tube is clamped within the cooperative clamps which secure the tube for cutting. The file is rotated in cutting engagement with the tube by an air motor. The file is mounted on a slider which is pulled by a cable causing the file to cut through the tube.

Abstract: The tube plug removal machine removes any type of tube plug by drilling into a plug portion with a tap drill bit, engaging that plug portion with a threaded section of the tap drill bit after the drilled hole has been threaded by a tapping section thereof, and removing a portion of the tube holding the plug in the tube with a counterbore drill bit mounted concentrically about the tap drill bit. A trip pin and trip spline enable the tap drill bit to be automatically disengaged from the motor once the tap drill bit has been threaded into engagement with the plug. The conterbore drill bit is thereafter self-centered with respect to the tube and plug about the now stationary tap drill bit. After a portion of the plug has been removed by the counterbore drill bit, pulling on the tap drill bit will remove the remaining plug portion from the tube.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for aligning a high-power laser apparatus to transmit a high-power beam along an optimum beam path to an adjustable remote beam receiver and for aligning the beam receiver for optimum reception of the high-power beam. A low-power visible laser is directed along the path to be followed by the high-power laser and a viewer such as a video camera is used for rough alignment. A pellicle, a partially reflecting mirror, and three low-power beam detectors are used with the low-power laser to align the beam transmitter with the beam receiver. Alignment of the beam receiver with the beam transmitter is checked by a high-power laser beam alignment checking system. This alignment checking system employs an annular beam detector mounted near the beam transmitter and a second beam detector mounted near the beam receiver.

Abstract: A laser welding head for welding a sleeve within a tube by fusing the interface between the sleeve and tube with a laser beam. The laser welding head has a cylindrical housing adapted to be inserted inside of the sleeve, a focusing lens for focusing a laser beam transmitted through the housing, and a welding mirror for directing the focused beam out of the housing and into contact with the sleeve. The welding mirror is maintained a predetermined distance from the inside surface of the sleeve and a motor and drive assembly are used to rotate the welding head within the sleeve. Shield gas is supplied to the welding head and passes about the periphery of the focusing lens for cooling the focusing lens and the welding mirror before being discharged into contact with the weld area. A recessed aperture is provided within the discharge outlet to prevent molten material from the weld site from splattering into the housing and onto the mirror or lens.

Abstract: A rotopeening apparatus utilizing a flexible spindle for rotopeening the inside wall of tubes of limited access is disclosed herein. The spindle is formed from a flexible, rotatable housing and includes a mandrel having eighteen peening flappers connected thereto along its axis of rotation. The mandrel is rotatably mounted within the housing in an off-center orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in order that the peening flapper may rotate and orbit within the tube when the mandrel and the housing are rotated. The apparatus includes a frame plate for detachably mounting the flexible spindle within the open end of the tube to be rotopeened. The spindle is mounted in cantilever off the side of the frame plate to maximize its manipulability in areas of limited access. Additionally, the drive motors of the apparatus are remotely coupled to the peening spindle by means of flexible shafts in order to maximize portability.

Abstract: A rolling tool for both expanding and reforming the dented end of a tube within the tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. Generally, the tool comprises a rotatable roller cage having a diameter which is approximately the same as the minimum diameter across the dented tube end, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted within pitched slots in the roller cage, a tapered mandrel slidably movable within an opening in the cage for rotating, orbiting and radially extending the rollers, and a ring which circumscribes at least a substantial portion of the cage for providing a surface around and against which the rollers may rotate when the roller-driving mandrel is rotated. In the preferred embodiment, the cage is rotatably mounted within a collar and the ring is detachably mountable around the proximal end of the roller cage.

Abstract: A device for removing plugs from plugged tubes in a steam generator including a frame having a substantially flat plate, with a hollow drill bit mounted thereon and movable generally perpendicularly with respect thereto from a storage position to an operating position. An elongated retaining pin extends through the hollow drill bit and therebeyond having threads on one end thereof for attachment to the plug to be drilled. Actuating means moves the drill bit between the storage position thereof and the operating position thereof, motor means is mounted on the frame for rotating the drill bit. An air-water mixture is introduced near where the drill bit meets the plug to be drilled, the water being present in an amount of about one-half volume percent, and a vacuum is used to collect and remove the air-water mixture and any debris entrained therewith due to drilling the associated plug.