Abstract: A compliant support for an axial thrust air bearing between a shaft and a housing with an annular thrust runner extending radially from the shaft having a runner bearing surface. The housing has a housing bearing surface and an air inlet in communication with a source of pressurized air. An annular foil support sleeve is disposed on the housing bearing surface, having an air foil surface with an array of foils. The foils serve to conduct air from the air inlet forming a pressurized air curtain between the runner bearing surface and foils on the the sleeve and is then disposed of through an air outlet. The sleeve has a compliant surface with at least one compliant annular ring. The compliant surface includes at least one compliant annular ring such as a fluorocarbon O-ring for low temperature service under 300° F.; a fluorosilicon O-ring for mid-range temperature service 300-600° F.; or a metallic mesh ring for high temperature service over 600° F.

Abstract: A compliant support for an axial thrust air bearing between a shaft and a housing with an annular thrust runner extending radially from the shaft having a runner bearing surface. The housing has a housing bearing surface and an air inlet in communication with a source of pressurized air. An annular foil support sleeve is disposed on the housing bearing surface, having an air foil surface with an array of foils. The foils serve to conduct air from the air inlet forming a pressurized air curtain between the runner bearing surface and foils on the the sleeve and is then disposed of through an air outlet. The sleeve has a compliant surface with at least one compliant annular ring. The compliant surface includes at least one compliant annular ring such as a fluorocarbon O-ring for low temperature service under 300° F.; a fluorosilicon O-ring for mid-range temperature service 300-600° F.; or a metallic mesh ring for high temperature service over 600° F.

Abstract: An end portion of each of two parts is machined and the machined end portion of the parts are arranged in facing positions to form a welding bevel extending in a longitudinal direction between the parts, whereafter a filler metal is deposited into the welding bevel. The welding bevel is a narrow bevel with side walls at an aperture angle of no more than 5° relative to the longitudinal central plane of the bevel. A nickel alloy comprising 18-32% of chromium is deposited into the welding bevel. The method is particularly suitable for joining a pressurized water nuclear reactor vessel tubing and an austenitic stainless steel primary circuit pipe.

Abstract: The machined ends of two parts (2, 4) are arranged in facing positions to form a welding bevel (6) between the parts (2, 4). A series of layers of filler metal are deposited one on top of the other in the welding bevel (6) in a direction thereof corresponding to the width of the parts (2, 4), by melting a wire (14) supplied at a predetermined feed rate to an electric arc between the parts to be welded and an electrode (13) supplied with a predetermined welding current and voltage. Each layer of filler metal essentially consists of a single weld bead across the full width of the bevel (6). The electric welding current and voltage and the feed rate of the wire (14) are predetermined in accordance with the width of the bevel (6).

Abstract: The through tubes (8) are a shrink-fit in through openings in the dome-shaped wall (2). One end (8a) of the tubes which projects from the convex surface of the wall (2) is closed in a fluidtight manner and a wall (18) carrying an electron gun (19) is mounted and fixed in a fluidtight manner on the dome-shaped wall (2) so as to define a fluidtight chamber (24). A low pressure is created in the fluidtight chamber (24) and the electron beam firing axis (19a) of the electron gun (19) is directed along a generatrix of the joint region between a through tube (8) and a through opening in the dome-shaped wall (2). The joint region is scanned by the electron beam by displacing the electron gun (19) in rotation about the axis of the through tube (8). The invention is in particular applicable to the welding of through adapters (8) of a vessel cover (2) of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: The through tubes (8) are a shrink-fit in through openings in the dome-shaped wall (2). One end (8a) of the tubes which projects from the convex surface of the wall (2) is closed in a fluidtight manner and a wall (18) carrying an electron gun (19) is mounted and fixed in a fluidtight manner on the dome-shaped wall (2) so as to define a fluidtight chamber (24). A low pressure is created in the fluidtight chamber (24) and the electron beam firing axis (19a) of the electron gun (19) is directed along a generatrix of the joint region between a through tube (8) and a through opening in the dome-shaped wall (2). The joint region is scanned by the electron beam by displacing the electron gun (19) in rotation about the axis of the through tube (8). The invention is in particular applicable to the welding of through adapters (8) of a vessel cover (2) of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: After machining, the floor of a countersink is chased by means of rollers driven to execute an orbital motion, the angle which the attack surface of the rollers forms with the axis of the opening being progressively reduced as a function of the advance of the roller carrier. Application to the forming of connecting lips around the openings of a nuclear reactor vessel barrel.

Abstract: Device for attachment of a bundle of tubes (3) coiled into a helix according to several cylindrical coaxial layers, comprising longitudinal rods (4) provided with concave cylindrical recesses (16) for receiving each tube portion (3) corresponding to the same cylindrical layer, the rods (4) being so disposed between each layer as to form several flat radial sheets, elements (8) for attachment of the tubes on the rods being interposed between two consecutive rods of a given radial sheet, each attachment element (8) comprising essentially a piece (8) adapted to cover two turns slotted consecutively in the corresponding rod, the device maintaining the tube by pinching in isostatic fashion, the contact between the device (4, 8) and the corresponding tube (3) being localized in three quasi-pinpoint zones (14, 15) of the tube spaced from one another. The device is useful for the support of a bundle of tubes of steam generators of the sodium-water type.

Abstract: For the purpose of compressing by hammering a steam generator tube (1), there is directed a stream of gas at high velocity charged with particles having a particle size of between 50 and 500.multidot.10.sup.-6 m, onto the inner surface of the tube (1). The jet of gas is directed onto the inner surface of the tube (1) in radial directions and onto the whole of the periphery of the tube. The flow of the mass of the particles is higher than 0.008 kg/sec for tubes having an inside diameter of around 0.020 m. The device comprises a flexible sheath (20) movable inside a case (16, 18) fixed in a sealed manner under the tube plate (2) around the tube (1). An injection nozzle (21) is disposed at the end of the sheath (20) receiving the gas charged with particles.

Abstract: A holding device for a tube bundle, constituted by undulated metal strips, each row of tubes receiving at least one set of two metal strips extending transversely to the tubes, on each side of the row of tubes. The metal strips are incurved in the direction of the tubes at the level of each tube and are incurved in the other direction at the level of each gap separating the tubes, the strips situated on each side of the same tubes thus being brought towards each other. Between the tubes, slightly spaced clamping elements are provided for exerting a force clamping the strips towards one another, at the level of the zone situated between the tubes, so as to apply the strips on each side of the tubes with a pre-determined force, at the level of the incurved zones in the direction of the tubes. The invention is particularly applicable to steam generators.

Abstract: A device for determining the shape of the inner wall of a tube, particularly at the level of a weld. A measuring device is arranged in the tube enabling the distance separating a given point situated on the inner wall of the tube and the longitudinal axis of this tube to be read. The measuring device is movable in the tube so as to read off successive dimensions of such point in the course of its displacement, the movement of the measuring device being such that the point so measured is displaced longitudinally in an alternating movement over a constant distance, and displaced simultaneously in slow rotation around the longitudinal axis, the reading of the measurements being completed when the point measured has carried out at least one complete revolution in the tube. The invention is useful in checking the tubes of a steam generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously applying sealing material to two opposite parallel edges of a multiple-pane window includes moving the window parallel to the opposite edges thereof between a pair of opposed extrusion nozzles, maintaining a substantially fixed separation of the nozzles during the travel of the window therebetween, and actuating the nozzles simultaneously to deposit sealing material from end to end of the opposite edges. In the apparatus, centering means are provided upstream of the nozzles and carrier means fixedly engages a window between the edges thereof. The centering means includes a pair of frames mounted for movement toward and away from each other in parallel relationship, and advantageously the nozzles are mounted at the downstream ends of the frame. The nozzles include means for resiliently biasing them toward the window edges and means for retracting them.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying plastic material to the four edges of a multiple-pane window comprises first and second pairs of nozzles and first and second carriers for moving the window horizontally between the nozzles of each pair in succession. Transfer means, particularly a rotating column with a laterally extending arm, transfers the window from one carrier to the other and rotates the window to bring the edges uncoated at the first station in position for coating at the second station. The transfer device is advantageously correlated with the downstream limit of the first carrier and the upstream limit of the second carrier to transfer and rotate the window about its axis of symmetry. A function of the window length on the first carrier is measured and the separation of the nozzles of the second pair adjusted accordingly. A supply device centers a window and deposits it in a predetermined centered position in the first carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a window being moved parallel to a pair of opposite edges thereof, particularly a double-pane window having fresh sealant coated along its leading and trailing edges, comprises two sets of rollers spaced apart laterally beneath the window with the rollers of each set longitudinally spaced in the path of travel of the window. Detectors responsive to the leading and trailing edges of the window selectively actuate the rollers to their respective upper positions after passage of a leading edge of the window thereby, and to respective lower positions prior to passage of a trailing edge thereby. This avoids soiling the rollers by the fresh sealant, with consequent soiling of subsequent windows. The windows may be supported midway of its side edges by a moving carriage, and guides for the side edges may be provided. Upstream and downstream detectors for each roller are described, particularly pneumatic detectors with an AND cell for controlling actuation of a roller.

Abstract: A laminated stack has grooves on the faces of the laminations forming fluid amplifiers and control channels therefor. Pneumatic detectors are coupled with the control channels. The laminations are perpendicular to the path of travel of workpieces to be treated, such as glass sheets, and outlet nozzles of the fluid amplifiers and openings of the pneumatic detectors face the glass sheet. Preferably opposed stacks on each side of the path of travel each emit detector jets to jet receivers of the other stack, and the nozzles thereof simultaneously treat both sides of the workpiece. The laminations may be oblique to the path of travel. Upstream and downstream detectors and combinations thereof are disclosed, including an Exclusive OR arrangement.