Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a wall portion from a wall of a tubular member. The wall portion has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The wall portion is connected to the wall of the tubular member by a pair of ligatures, which remain after use of a suitable cutting tool. The ligatures are aligned and disposed on either side of the wall portion to define a pivot axis. The apparatus has a probe body insertable into the tubular member, which probe body includes an expandable bladder for pushing the distal end portion of the wall portion in order to pivot the wall portion about the ligatures (i.e., about the pivot axis) as the bladder expands. As the wall portion pivots, the distal end portion of the wall portion rotates outwardly from the wall of the tubular member as the proximal end portion of the wall portion rotates inwardly into the tubular member. After the wall portion pivots, a cup-shaped retainer is moved upwardly to surround the proximal end portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus and method are used to weld the inner surface of small diameter tubes such as nuclear heat exchanger tubes. A weld filler metal carried by a rotatable laser weld head is fed into the weld zone to produce deeply penetrating weldments of low profile. The apparatus and method can effectively be used to repair cracks in heat exchanger tubes to thereby provide extended service life.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a wall portion from a wall of a tubular member. The wall portion has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The wall portion is connected to the wall of the tubular member by a pair of ligatures, which remain after use of a suitable cutting tool. The ligatures are aligned and disposed on either side of the wall portion to define a pivot axis. The apparatus has a probe body insertable into the tubular member, which probe body includes an expandable bladder for pushing the distal end portion of the wall portion in order to pivot the wall portion about the ligatures (i.e., about the pivot axis) as the bladder expands. As the wall portion pivots, the distal end portion of the wall portion rotates outwardly from the wall of the tubular member as the proximal end portion of the wall portion rotates inwardly into the tubular member. A movable elongate mandrel engages the proximal end portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: Electric discharge machining apparatus and method. An electron discharge machining apparatus and method is provided for precisely machining a wall of a tubular member to form a wall portion thereof defined by a slot of predetermined configuration at a predetermined location in a wall of the tubular member. The tubular member may be a nuclear steam generator tube. The apparatus includes a housing sized to be disposed in the tube, the housing having an opening therethrough capable of being aligned with the predetermined location in the tube wall to be electro-machined. An electrode is housed in the housing for generating an electric discharge arc between the electrode and the wall of the tube in order to machine the slot at the predetermined location. A rotator is connected to the housing for precisely rotating the housing, so that the opening formed through the housing is rotated into registry with the predetermined location to be electro-machined.

Abstract: Both a method and arrangement for consolidating and storing nozzles removed from nuclear PWR fuel assemblies is disclosed herein. In the method of the invention, top or bottom nozzles that are removed from nuclear fuel assemblies incident to a reconstitution procedure are stacked one upon another. The resulting stack of either top or bottom nozzles is secured together by a combination of plates, rods having threaded ends, and nuts which do not increase the outer dimensions of the nozzles forming the stack. This allows the resulting stack to be loaded into a spent fuel bin where the secured stack of nozzles may be stored in a consolidated manner for ultimate disposal. To implement the method of the invention, a nozzle stacking bin is provided which provides a means for receiving individual nozzles and forming a stacked assembly of such.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a short stud tensioning apparatus for tensioning and detensioning an externally threaded stud or bolt protruding a short distance above a surface. The apparatus includes an internally threaded sleeve and a gripper having internal and external threads. The gripper surrounds the stud for threadably engaging the stud and the sleeve surrounds the gripper for threadably engaging the gripper. When engaged on the stud, the gripper serves as an extension of the stud. Hydraulic force is applied to a puller bar which is threadably connected to the gripper so that the gripper travels upwardly when hydraulic force is applied to the puller bar. The upwardly travel of the puller bar causes a correspondingly upward translation of the stud thus tensioning the stud. While the stud is in tension, the sleeve is run down the gripper until the sleeve engages the surface from which the stud protrudes. The stud will thus remain in tension even after the hydraulic force acting on the puller bar is removed.

Abstract: Both an apparatus and method for plugging a conduit, such as a tube in the tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator, is disclosed herein. The plugging apparatus generally comprises an inelastically expandable plug that contains a fluid-receiving cavity, and an expansion means including both a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a pull-rod member having a piston for advantageously applying both a radially expansive force and a compressive force to the plug at the same time in order to inelastically expand it into sealing engagement with the inner wall of a tube. In the apparatus of the invention, the compressive force exerted on the plug by the pull-rod member not only serves to inelastically deform the plug into a radially expanded shape, but is also used to seal the open end of the plug so that the pressurized hydraulic fluid admitted within the cavity of the plug will not escape.

Abstract: Anti-inflammatory compositions are prepared which comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is CO or CHOH; Y is CO; the dotted line represents a double bond which is present or absent; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxyl, hydroxyl, acetoxyl, nitro or amino; R.sub.3 is alkyl of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl of 5 to 8 carbon atoms or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, methoxyl, ethoxyl, benzyloyl, hydroxyl, acetoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, acetyl, methylthiol, methylsulphonyl, methylamino and dimethylamino. Compounds of formula I above are also novel.

Abstract: Anti-inflammatory compositions are prepared which comprise a therapeutically effective effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is CO; Y is an oxygen atom; the dotted line represents a double bond which is present or absent; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen; and R.sub.3 is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, methoxyl, ethoxyl, benzyloxyl, hydroxyl, acetoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, acetyl, methylthiol, methylsulphonyl, methylamino and dimethylamino; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of treating inflammation utilizing the compounds of formula (I) are part of the present invention together with the compounds themselves of the above formula.