Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic lacing (drawing) of hairpin tubes through the holes of a heat exchanger fin stack is provided. This apparatus includes a plurality of identical extendable guide rods, each positioned in approximate alignment to engage an open end of a respective heat exchanger tube which is positioned adjacent to a respective fin stack hole. The plurality of guide rods are extended in unison through the holes of the heat exchanger fin stack to positions within the open ends of the hairpin tubes. A self aligning knurl structure on each guide rod lead end is expanded to engage the respective I.D. of a respective hairpin tube. The guide rods are then retracted in unison pulling the tubes through the fin stack holes. A self regulating pressure mechanism assures that the pressure exerted by an expanding knurl end is within a predetermined range. Once the tubes have been laced, the knurl structures are collapsed and the guide rods withdraw from the tubes.

Abstract: A fin assembly for use as a heat sink and production thereof are disclosed. The fin assembly comprises a plurality of heat dissipating plates formed by means of a multi-wire saw, and the heat dissipating plates each has a thickness of no more than 1 mm and being spaced apart by a gap of no more than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding tubular members, such as U-shaped heat transfer tubes having ends thereof located in the confined space adjacent the curved sides of the bowl-shaped lower plenum of a typical nuclear steam generator. The apparatus includes an elongate mandrel having a flow channel therethrough in communication with a resilient tubular bladder surrounding the mandrel. The bladder is flexible about its longitudinal axis due to the ribbed construction of the wall thereof. The mandrel includes a plurality of segments, adjacent ones of the segments interconnected by a ball-and-socket joint therebetween, so that the segments swivel about respective ones of the ball-and-socket joints. In this manner, the mandrel flexes as it is inserted into the tube end located in the confined space defined by the sides of the bowl-shaped lower plenum of the steam generator. The mandrel also flexes as it traverses the upper U-bend portion of the tube.

Abstract: A method of using an apparatus for the automatic lacing (drawing) of hairpin tubes through the holes of a heat exchanger fin stack includes using a plurality of identical extendable guide rods, each positioned in approximate alignment to engage an open end of a respective heat exchanger tube which is positioned adjacent to a respective fin stack hole. The plurality of guide rods are extended in unison through the holes of the heat exchanger fin stack to positions within the open ends of the hairpin tubes. A self aligning knurl structure on each guide rod lead end is expanded to engage the respective I.D. of a respective hairpin tube. The guide rods are then retracted in unison pulling the tubes through the fin stack holes. A self regulating pressure mechanism assures that the pressure exerted by an expanding knurl end is within a predetermined range. Once the tubes have been laced, the knurl structures are collapsed and the guide rods withdraw from the tubes.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing heat exchanger elements includes the steps of forming an open tubular base body having a longitudinal extension having a width that is substantially greater than the height thereby defining narrow and wide sides of the tubular base body. In the longitudinal extension of the tubular base body a longitudinal opening with longitudinal edges remains. Two strips of sheet metal are removed from a supply roll and corrugated to form corrugated sheet metal strips. The open tubular base body and the corrugated sheet metal strips are advance continuously and parallel to one another in the direction of the longitudinal extension through a fastening device such that the wide sides face the corrugated sheet metal strips. The corrugated sheet metal strips are pressed onto the wide sides and then fastened to the wide sides at some locations of contact between the wide sides and the of corrugated sheet metal strips.

Abstract: A tube expander having a tube expander body, a reciprocable member to be reciprocated with its surface facing a tube to be expanded which is mounted in a heat exchanger unit, and a mandrel mounted on the reciprocable member so as to be inserted into the tube for the expansion thereof. A support fixture, on which the heat exchanger unit is separably mounted, is movably mounted on a mounting table which is disposed towards the moving direction of the mandrel such that the support fixture is transported on the mounting table in the transverse direction relating to the moving direction of the reciprocable member. A holding mechanism is provided on at least one of the mounting table and a peripheral area thereof so as to hold the support fixture or the heat exchanger unit mounted thereon, introduce the heat exchanger unit with the tube to be expanded into a tube expanding area, and discharge the heat exchanger unit from the tube expanding area after expanding the tube thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding the tubes in a heat exchanger of the plate fin and tube type. The expander is of the type that expands the tubes by driving an expansion "bullet," attached to and driven by an expander or bullet rod, through the tube. The expander rod in turn is driven by a ram. The expander has a rod support apparatus that prevents the expander rod from buckling under compressive stress. The axes of movement of the ram and the expander rod are offset with the ram imparting its force to the rod through a connector link. A rod support member has a passage to support the expander rod, a passage to allow the ram to pass through the support member and a slotted passage, to allow the connector link to pass through the support member, joining the rod support passage and the ram passage. The rod support apparatus restrains the expander rod from buckling while requiring no increase in the overall length of the tube expander.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a high fin density heatsink from a plurality of fins each having a bottom portion of generally bell-bottom shape and a base unit of predetermined thickness having a plurality of grooves therein. The method includes the steps of placing the plurality of fins loosely in respective ones of the grooves, and applying downward and horizontal pressure to the base unit intermediate respective ones of the fins for swaging the base unit so as to urge the fins downwardly into the respective ones of the grooves thereby creating a solid connection between the base unit and the fins with excellent thermal contact therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting U shaped tubes in a heat exchange core includes a track which includes a pair of parallel channels for receiving the limbs of the tubes and for guiding the limbs on three sides, a slide for pushing the tubes along the track and into the heat exchange core, and restraining means for closing the fourth side of the channels to guide the limbs, the restraining means being adapted to move out of the track as the head of the tube and the slide pass along the track.

Abstract: A method of repairing a tubular nozzle made of Inconel 600 material and extending through a bore in an external wall of a pressure vessel to provide communication with the interior of the vessel from externally thereof includes mechanically rolling the inside diameter of a portion of the nozzle disposed within the external wall with a roll pressure in the range of 50,000 to 150,000 psi to form a circumferential rolled section in the nozzle having a wall thickness 3% to 12% less than the wall thickness of non-rolled sections of the nozzle, an outside diameter less than 1% greater than the outside diameter of the non-rolled sections and transition segments with a radius of curvature in the range of 1/2 inch to 2 inches joining the rolled section to the non-rolled sections.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander for simultaneously expanding plural hairpin tubes into interlocked relationship with plural fins which includes a frame on which is provided a receiver to support the bent portions of the hairpin tubes in an assembly of fins loosely stacked on the straight leg portions of the hairpin tubes. A support structure is also provided on the frame for engaging and supporting a first endmost fin that is oriented immediately adjacent to but spaced from the receiver. A pressure plate carrying a plurality of expander rods is provided and each of the expander rods is aligned with the hairpin tubes. A stripper plate structure having plural guide openings therethrough is also provided. The expander rods extend through the guide openings. Structure is provided on the stripper plate for engaging a second endmost sheet of the assembly of fins at an end thereof which is remote from the receiver.

Abstract: A heat transfer cell for employment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning applications, and an apparatus for producing metallic plates which can be employed in the construction of the heat transfer cell. The cell comprises a plurality of heat conductive plates stacked on each other and having upstanding fins extending substantially the length of each plate. A leading edge portion of each fin is folded laterally to thereby create a turbulent effect to air traveling linearly between adjacent fins and plates.

Abstract: System and method for hydraulically expanding tubular members, such as heat transfer tubes and sleeves of the type found in nuclear steam generators. The system includes a resilient ribbed bladder for radially expanding the tube or tubular sleeve that is to be disposed in the tube. The system further includes a pressurizer hydraulically connected to the bladder for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the bladder in order to expand the bladder into intimate engagement with the sleeve and/or tube. The system also includes a controller electrically connected to the pressurizer for controllably operating the pressurizer. The system may further include a fluid supply reservoir fluidly connected to the pressurizer for supplying fluid to the pressurizer and may also include visual display means electrically connected to the controller for displaying the pressure acting on the bladder during the expansion process.

Abstract: An apparatus for deforming, splitting and chopping of contaminated, or potentially contaminated, heat exchanger tubes into short tubes segments that easily may transported to an off-site location for decontamination or disposal. The invention has particular utility in dismantling potentially contaminated tubes from a tube bundle that is part of a condenser for a BWR or PWR nuclear power plant. The invention involves first gripping and deforming the exterior periphery of a potentially contaminated tube with opposed transverse forces sufficient to travel the tube longitudinally out of the tubesheets in a deformed condition, and then splitting the deformed tube into first and second wall sections which are chopped into short length wall segments. The deformation preferably flattens the tube so that the short wall segments are substantially planar, with exposed inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A device for sequentially stretched straightening a tube and bending same into a U-shape. The device includes a track for guiding a tube. A hold clamp is fixedly positioned on the track. A feed clamp is movably positioned on the track. A feed clamp is movably guided along the track between a first position adjacent the hold clamp and a second position at a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism is reciprocally shiftable along the track and is adapted to control the final increment of travel of the feed clamp during a movement thereof toward the second position. A tube cutting mechanism is oriented adjacent the hold clamp. A control activates the hold clamp to grip the tube while simultaneously effecting a movement of the feed clamp, when the clamping structure thereon is deactivated, away from the hold clamp toward the second position until it reaches the stop mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander having a construction which facilitates a machine setup prior to coil assembly without necessitating the machine operator to leave a control panel, this being due to all setup and locking features being accomplished from the control panel. Thus, an operator climbing on ladders to various and remote locations on the machine are not necessary. This feature is accomplished by orienting a pre-size clamp and a strip clamp on opposite sides of the stripper plate and tracking the position of the stripper plate relative to the receiver in order to enable the pre-size clamp to be correctly positioned and clamped to a piston rod driven upwardly by pressurized air.

Abstract: A tube expander includes an oil-discharging device for discharging a predetermined amount of oil into the tubes of a heat exchanger mounted on the tube expander which is movably mounted between tube-expanding mandrels of the tube expander and the heat exchanger. The oil-discharging device is provided with a plurality of oil-discharging nozzles each constructed of a pipe-shaped nozzle main body having an end expander bullet that can be inserted into a tube, an oil-discharging hole arranged between the nozzle main body and the expander bullet for discharging the oil, an annular sleeve mounted around the circumferential surface of the main body for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the annular sleeve having an end contact part for abutting against an opening end of the tube, the annular sleeve sealing the oil-discharging hole of the nozzle main body by means of a resilient member, and a stopper provided on an end of the expander bullet to receive the sleeve on the end of the expander bullet.

Abstract: A serpentine heat exchanger tube structure is formed with spaces between opposite runs of the tube structure that are smaller than the fins which must be inserted into the spaces. The tube structure is pressed onto a series of spreader blades at a fin inserting station to spread the runs of the tube structure, the fins are loaded into a series of compartments of a shuttle at a remote fin loading station, the shuttle is moved to the fin inserting station to position the compartments opposite the respective spaces of the tube structure on the side of the tube structure opposite the side from which the spreader blades entered, and a series of insertion blades are moved into the compartments to move the fins out of the compartments and into the tube spaces as the spreader blades are simultaneously withdrawn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a heat-exchanger of the type having a tube sheet in which the extremities of exchanger tubes are mounted. The method involves unrolling tubular insert stock from a supply roll, straightening the unrolled insert stock by passing it through a straightening device which has its output disposed substantially in alignment with one of the exchanger tubes to be repaired and at a location adjacent the mounted extremity of the exchanger tube, and forcibly pulling the straightened insert stock into the one exchanger tube. The pulled-in insert stock is then cut to length, and the ends radially expanded against the inner walls of the exchanger tube, and sealed to the tube sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for collapsing and crushing heavy-duty steel well casings and similar pipes to terminate flow of liquids such as crude oil therethrough, a housing portion gripping and sealing spaced portions of the casing, casing collapsing rams at opposite sides of the casing and between said portions of the housing and confined within portions of the housing; and a pair of hydraulic cylinders driving the rams inwardly against the casing to collapse it and crush it to reduce and substantially prevent flow of liquid or crude oil through the casing.

Abstract: A tube stabilizer assembly and method for bridging a broken tube in a heat exchanger includes an elongate solid rod, on a collar on a flexible cable, which inserts with minimum clearance into the tube from one end and is anchored by a deformable plug assembly fixed to the rod or cable by a commercially-available plugging tool. The assembly has an outside dimension of sufficient clearance for sliding contact in the tube while immobilizing the loose ends of the tube against vibration.

Abstract: A plugging apparatus for fixing a mechanical plug within a heat transfer tube of a heat exchanger includes a main body capable of being coupled to a tool guide robot movable under remote control inside a water chamber of the heat exchanger, a plug fixing mechanism mounted on the main body for conveying a mechanical plug from outside the heat exchanger and fixing the mechanical plug in the heat transfer tube, and a clamping mechanism for clamping the main body to a tube plate of the heat exchanger at a desired position on the tube plate of the heat exchanger. The invention makes it possible to fix a mechanical plug in a heat transfer tube of a steam generator or heat exchanger of a reactor in a remote-controlled and continuous manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically mounting and removing replacement pins for an attachment fixture to be mounted to a pipe expanding apparatus. The apparatus enables quick mounting and removal of replacement pins according to various different patterns formed in the attachment fixture and thus provides improved operating efficiency and improved productivity in connection with pattern changing.

Abstract: A mechanical expander for tubing for heat transfer products. The tubing expander includes one or more elongated rods, each having an enlargement on the forward end thereof for insertion into tubing to be expanded. The rods are supported on a carriage which in turn is slidably mount on a frame. The carriage is driven forwardly and rearwardly along the frame by a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the carriage by a continuous chain. Elongated tubes which are respectively fixedly attached to a cross member and which respectively partially surround the rods limit lateral or bowing movements of the rods. There are clamping jaws mounted on the frame for clampingly holding the ends of the tubing to be expanded.

Abstract: An apparatus sizes tubing, and positions and installs a manifold for single or multi-pass heat exchangers. Tubing is provided which has at least one first end and at least one second end. The first end is sized to a first desired perimeter dimension and, simultaneously, a first manifold is positioned and installed which has a first opening for receiving the first end of the tubing. Additionally, the second end is sized to a second desired perimeter dimension and, simultaneously, a second manifold is positioned and installed which has a second opening for receiving the second end of the tubing. A positioning control aids in the insertion of the ends into the manifolds to the desired depth or pressure. The apparatus is capable of sizing tubing, and positioning and installing manifolds for single or multi-pass heat exchangers having variously dimensioned tubing. The present invention also provides for a method of sizing tubing, and positioning and installing manifolds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tension expanding a plate fin heat exchanger. The plate fin heat exchanger has prebelled hairpin tubes with the bells in contact with the upper tube sheet. The hairpin tubes are expanded one hairpin at a time and the upper tube sheet is gripped to receive the forces of expansion which are transmitted from the prebelled tube ends bearing against the tube sheet.

Abstract: A pipe expanding apparatus comprising a reciprocating member to which a plurality of pipe expanding mandrels are attached to be capable of being inserted into a plurality of pipes to be expanded under pressure, a plurality of guide posts penetrating through the reciprocating member at desired locations for slidably guiding the reciprocating member, and extending and contacting apparatus which is mounted on a frame uprightly provided on a base, and is operated to reciprocate the reciprocating member for expanding the pipes. The extending and contracting apparatus is constituted by at least one pair of cylinders disposed at both lateral side ends of the reciprocating member, respectively, for inserting the mandrels attached to the reciprocating member into the pipes to be expanded under pressure when actuated.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in a vertical-type pipe expanding apparatus comprising a reciprocating member provided above pipes to be expanded and vertically movable by extending and contracting means; an attachment plate provided adjacent to the underside of the reciprocating member, having a predetermined space gap formed on the upper side, and also having a plurality of penetration holes bores through the attachment plate to hold a plurality of pipe expanding mandrels in such a manner as to prevent the mandrels from slipping off in the direction toward their tip ends, when the mandrels are inserted into the penetration holes to extend vertically downwardly therethrough, the proximal ends of the mandrels being capable of projecting through the reciprocating member from below to above; and a pressing attachment removably installed into the space gap and having pressing surfaces formed to make the proximal ends of the mandrels actuatable in match with positions of the pipes to be expanded.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is made up of a shell having a coaxial tubular outer and inner wall with end plates attached thereto to enclose a tubular shell cavity provided with an inlet and outlet for a first fluid. Within the shell cavity is a spiral coil of tubing through which flows a second fluid. The coil is wound helically about the axis of the shell and sized to fit the inner and outer walls with limited radial clearance. The coils are axially spaced from one another to define a spiral flow path within the shell cavity for the fluids to first flow. The radial and axial clearance establish a spiral flow path and an axial flow path which are relatively sized to cause the first fluid to travel in a spiral motion, thereby enhancing heat transfer between the first and second fluids.

Abstract: A method for gripping a tube end of a plate fin heat exchanger by a pair of coacting jaw grippers movable both longitudinally and radially with respect to said tube end. The coacting jaw grippers are positioned such that the tube ends of a multirow coil can be gripped along any row of the coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radially expanding and anchoring a sleeve within a tube are provided. The apparatus includes a hydraulic expanding mandrel, a fluid source for supplying a first pressurized fluid and a second fluid to first and second pumps and a fluid control mechanism for selectively activating the second pump and for controlling the total volume of pressurized fluid discharged by the second pump. In order to radially expand and anchor the sleeve within the tube, the sleeve is first inserted within the tube. Then, the mandrel is inserted within the sleeve such that the mandrel and sleeve together define a substantially annular hydraulic pressure zone situated between the sleeve, the body of the mandrel and the seals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube expander having a reciprocating member for selectively reciprocating a plurality of mandrels for expanding tubes. Each mandrel includes a bullet, having a diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the tubes, at the one end thereof. The tube expander of the present invention comprises an engage section formed at a head section of the mandrel, the diameter of the engage section is larger than the shaft section of the mandrel. A fixture is provided with the reciprocating member and having a through-hole through which the shaft section of the mandrel is inserted. A stopper is provided on the rear face of the fixture and being independently moved with respect to the head section of the mandrel by a drive means. The stopper prevents the mandrel from moving in the axial direction thereof with respect to the fixture during the movement of the stopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for the inspection and/or repair of tubes discharging into a chamber of a heat exchanger includes a tube sensor. A manipulator provides remote-controlled positioning of the tube sensor. A plurality of mouthpieces disposed on the manipulator introduces the sensor into tubes of a heat exchanger. Tube connectors communicate with the mouthpieces and have two ends. One of the ends of the tube connectors is coaxially attachable to orifices of the tubes of the heat exchanger. The other of the ends of the tube connectors are bundled into a circular group at an adaptor. A distributor plate has orifices into each of which a respective one of the tube connectors discharge. A parallel turntable is supported on the distributor plate. A guide hose is introduced into the turntable for guiding the tube sensor. Incremental rotation of the turntable selectively aligns the axis of the guide hose with the axis of one of the orifices in the distributor plate.

Abstract: A heat transfer device effective in minimizing frost bridging in refrigeration operations to be wound helically onto a refrigerant-carrying tube, has an integrally formed chain of looped fins, each fin having a mounting flange at each end of the chain, and a vertical tin member extending from each mounting flange connected by a bridge portion. A method and apparatus for making the heat transfer device a unitary stretch preforming process to reform the beginning fin stock into final looped fin shape in a single forming step.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cylindrical fuel pellets into tubular fuel rods includes pellet segregation means for detecting and segregating an undersized pellet prior to its entry into a fuel rod. The segregation means includes a pair of laterally separated guide rails adapted to support the lateral side edges of the advancing pellets, and such that a pellet of undersized diameter will drop to a level below that of the properly sized pellets. A lateral shoulder is positioned at the downstream end of the guide rails for engaging and holding any dropped pellet so that it cannot advance into the fuel rod. Also, a pellet deflecting plate is positioned at the upstream end of the guide rails, to interrupt the contact between adjacent pellets and thus assure that an undersized pellet is not carried along the guide rails by the adjacent pellets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming core assemblies comprising supporting a plurality of flattened tubes in horizontally spaced relationship, applying forces to the ends of the tubes to align the tubes, interposing undulating fins between adjacent tubes, providing a stop for holding the ends of the tubes at one end in alignment, retracting the force on the opposite ends of the tubes applying a compacting force to the array tubes and undulating fins transversely of the tubes by applying forces to end plates, applying a force to a header plate to force the opposite ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate, applying a deforming force to the opposite ends of the tubes against the outer surface of the header plate to move any unaligned tubes into alignment with the remainder of the tubes against the stop, retracting the stop, applying a force to another header plate to force the one ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate and applying a deforming force to the one ends of the tubes onto

Abstract: A method for radially expanding and anchoring a sleeve within a tube is provided. The apparatus includes a hydraulic expanding mandrel, a fluid source for supplying a first pressurized fluid and a second fluid to first and second pumps and a fluid control mechanism for selectively activating the second pump and for controlling the total volume of pressurized fluid discharged by the second pump. In order to radially expand and anchor the sleeve within the tube, the sleeve is first inserted within the tube. Then, the mandrel is inserted within the sleeve such that the mandrel and sleeve together define a substantially annular hydraulic pressure zone situated between the sleeve, the body of the mandrel and the seals.

Abstract: A machine for remotely lining the inside of a heat exchanger tube end (13) received in a tube plate (14). The machine includes a flexible tube (15) connecting a push-pull device to a motorized unit (16) for driving tools used for fixing the sleeve in the heat exchanger tube. The machine also includes a tool loader (25, 26) at the head of a cable (20) which is driven by the push-pull device and means for applying the end of the flexible tube to the end of any of the heat exchanger tubes which may need lining. The motorized unit (16) includes two superposed fluted hubs (30, 33) one of which is driven by a low speed electric motor while the other is driven by a high-speed pneumatic motor.

Abstract: A finning and thread rolling machine capable of producing an integral finned tube, an extended finned tube or a wrap-on finned tube, whichever is desired, the tubing to be used for extended surface heat transfer. Types of tubes produced are integral low finned tube, bi-metal fin tube with extruded high finned tube on the outer portion, and extruded integral/high finned tube and spiral strip helical wrap-on finned tube. The apparatus also provides a two and three die thread rolling machine for thru-feed threading and form rolling.

Abstract: A hairpin tube receiver includes a plurality of inependently rotatable receiver posts which have cavities in their upper ends for receiving the bends of hairpin tubes. The receiver posts can be independently rotated to selectable positions in order that the hairpin tube receiver can support the bends of hairpin tubes which are arranged in a variety of different configurations.

Abstract: A structure is provided for mounting the expander rods of a mechanical tube expander. The mounting structure comprises a slide plate which can be moved between a first position in which the expander rods are in locked condition and a second position in which the expander rods are in unlocked condition.

Abstract: A curved structure (20) with two flat side flanges and a curved bottom (23') connecting the flanges, each of which is associated with a curved guiding slide (24a,24b)is used for lining a peripheral tube of a steam generator. A trolley (21) having wheels (25, 26) interacting with the guiding slides moves in the curved structure and is guided along the inner wall of the water box of the steam generator. A rigid roller-expanding tool (24) is connected to a drive mechanism carried by the trolley by a flexible cable, and is guided by a guiding device after it leaves the curved structure.

Abstract: Serpentine heat exchanger tubes are formed with spaces smaller than the fins which must fit in the spaces, the tubes are elastically spread apart so that tubes can be inserted, and the tubes are then allowed to contract to grip the elements for good contact and to help maintain the assembly until a brazing operation. A machine for inserting the fins has spreader blades for insertion into the tube spaces remote from the tube bends, and including sets of blades which then are moved toward the bends to fully dilate the spaces to permit easy insertion of the fins.

Abstract: A pipe expanding mandrel is disclosed which comprises a set pin having a pipe expanding billet mounted on a front end portion thereof and a stepped portion formed at a site behind the billet, a sleeve slidably fitted on a rear portion of the set pin, a spring interposed between the stepped portion of the set pin and the front end of the sleeve, and a mandrel body. An engagement protuberance formed on a rear end portion of the set pin is brought in engagement with an engagement hole bored in a front end portion of the mandrel body, and then the set pin is turned, so that the set pin and the sleeve are coupled to the mandrel body while being prevented from disengagement therefrom by the action of the spring.

Abstract: A liner (12) substantially smaller than the thickness of the tube plate (2) is inserted into the tube (8) so that, while one of its ends is in a region of the tube (8) inside the tube plate (2) and away from the entry face (2a), the other end of the liner (12) is beyond the exit face (2b) of the tube plate. Diametral expansion and roller expanding of the liner (12) are performed in the position which the latter occupies inside the tube (8).

Abstract: A liner (12) is inserted into the water box (3) through the manhole (9) vertically in line with the manhole, and then the liner (12) is moved as far as a position situated vertically in line with the tube (8) to be lined. The operations of inserting the liner (12) into the tube (8), of diametral expansion and of roller-expanding are performed by inserting a corresponding appliance into the water box (3) and using this appliance from an operating station outside the water box, where the drive for the appliance is situated.

Abstract: To an elongate body (1) having preferably an adjustable length, seals (2, 3) are fixed. The seals comprise a skirt (22) forming a crown which surrounds a body portion at a small distance from the surface thereof, the skirt being made of a material having a flexibility sufficient to be slightly reduced in diameter when the tool is introduced into a tubular element to be expanded. The skirts of the two seals may be interconnected, thus outwardly delimiting an internal ring-shaped chamber (20) intended to receive an expansion fluid.

Abstract: The device comprises a handling arm (21) arranged inside the water box of the steam generator and permitting the assembly for fitting and withdrawing a plug (22) to be placed in the alignment of the tubes of the steam generator bundle. The device additionally comprises an endless screw (35) for moving the tubes in the axial direction, which is fastened to the handling arm (21), a support (44) fastened to the endless screw (35), movable in the axial direction, a linking member (51) carried by the support (44) for removable fastening to the plug body, and a sliding rod (55) actuated by a jack integral with the support (44). The rod (55) actuated by the jack permits, a thrust to be exerted on the plug held by the connecting member (51), in order to produce its extension and facilitate its withdrawal.

Abstract: A flexible hardrolling mandrel for expanding a sleeve within a tube of a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. The flexibility of the tool facilitates the insertion of the tool into tubes of the nuclear steam generator that have only a limited accessibility, and the tool is designed to transfer sufficient torque as required for hardrolling by way of the flexible design. Generally, the hardroll mandrel assembly includes an elongate housing with flex joints along its length, a roller cage rotatably mounted to the housing supporting at least one roller, a tapered actuator shaft slidable within the roller cage to extend the roller, a flexible inner shaft connected to the actuator shaft and drivingly connected to the housing near the roller cage, and an end effector and drive device for imparting torque to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding copper and aluminum tubes in either compression expansion or tension expansion which is adjustable to expand different configurations of coils on row at a time.