Abstract: A tool for axially removing a defect-containing length portion from a steam generator tubesheet primary side grips the tube length portion on both sides of the defect by radially outwardly moving gripper structure in the form of expanding ferrules (16,20) or collet spring fingers (60). Structure in the form of a central mandrel member (12, 13 or 50, 52, 54) moves axially to actuate the gripper structure. A sleeve (62) separately actuated on the mandrel (50) assists this action in the collet spring finger (60) embodiment. Movement of the defect-containing length portion requires an initial cutting of the tube-to-tubesheet weld, and for convenience, separation of the tube length portion from the remainder of the tube. Hydraulic structure (32, 56, 64) provides the motion axially of the grippers' actuators (14, 22, 23 or 58, 66) on either side of the defect either independently or together.

Abstract: The device comprises a pole fastened to a handling and lifting apparatus arranged above the pool in which the fuel assembly is placed under water. The pole has at least one lower end part (32), the diameter of which is less than the inside diameter of the blocking sleeve (25). This part (32) is pierced with a central bore (40) and with at least two radial orifices (56), in each of which is located a retention claw (57). A rod (41) sliding in the axial bore (40) makes it possible to control the extraction of the claws. The vertical movement of the pole makes it possible to extract the blocking sleeve (25).

Abstract: Running tool apparatus for lifting heavy equipment such as diverters and other devices utilizing a drilling rig drawworks. The running tool has a slotted discs and pins mechanism to cause engaging dogs to engage and disengage the heavy equipment when rotational force is applied. A keeper assembly mounted at the top of the running tool keys into an impression at the top of the heavy equipment to secure the outer body of the running tool with respect to the heavy equipment. The inner body is sealed with respect to the outer body and the tool is shaped so that the heavy equipment can be pressure tested with the running tool engaged in the bore of the heavy equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately dispensing and positioning a credit card onto a predetermined area of a surface, includes a support tray which supports a stack of cards; a pusher assembly including a pusher plate which pushes out a leading edge of a lowermost one of the cards in the stack; gripper jaws which grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card; and a control assembly which controls the gripper jaws to grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card, to move over the predetermined area of the surface and to then release the gripped card so that the latter drops onto the predetermined area of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.

Abstract: A container holding device intended for use with a chain conveyor for conveying containers such as bottles. The container holding device for receiving and gripping open-ended containers includes an elongated spindle and a chuck mounted for telescoping movement on the spindle. The chuck includes jaws arranged around the spindle and engageable by a cam on the spindle which controls radial expansion and contraction of the jaws. The jaws support radially outwardly thereof one or more resilient members such as O-rings for applying resilient gripping and friction holding force to the interior surface of the container telescoped over the jaws. For use with an overhead chain conveyor, the container holding device may be attached to a pin depending from the chain.

Abstract: A gripper for tools of a machine tool is provided with a hand with at least one moveable jaw arranged thereon for form-locking engagement of the tools.In order to enable the tools to be automatically gripped in form-locking engagement, without any supply of auxiliary energy, the hand is provided with an actuating element that can be moved by means of a stationary stop provided on the machine tool to move the jaw into a spread-apart position for introducing the tool, and into a closed position for gripping the tool in a form-locking manner.

Abstract: Load ring assemblies are disclosed which can be releasably connected to a load and provide a load ring mounted for pivotal movement so that the load ring can align itself with a connecting force applied thereto. The assembly includes a mounting member formed with a central flange intermediate its ends and cylindrical extensions extending in both directions therefrom. A pivot collar or ring is journaled on one extension for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the mounting member. A U-bar or load ring is pivoted on the collar for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicularly intersecting the first axis. Therefore, the load ring is free to pivot relative to the mounting member into alignment with a force applied thereto. The other extension is provided with a locking system having a plurality of peripherally located locking elements which are radially movable between an extended locking position and a retracted release position.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel rod loader for pulling fuel rods into a fuel assembly skeleton has a rod gripper with slots defining fingers. The rod gripper passes through the grids of the skeleton on its way to a fuel rod magazine. An inner shaft of the rod gripper spreads open the fingers to engage a groove in the cavity of the end plug of the fuel rod. The rod gripper is retracted, pulling the coupled fuel rod into the fuel assembly skeleton. The rod gripper has a chamfer surface at the closed slot end of each slot to avoid the rod gripper damaging a dimple during entry into the grids of the fuel assembly skeleton. The rod gripper has a stress relief surface at the closed slot end of each slot to avoid failure in the flexing fingers.

Abstract: A gravity-operated tube gripper and puller actuated by a rotatably-operated latch is disclosed herein. The gripper includes a gripping means having a collet assembly with a threaded collet which is expandable by means of a frustro-conical body. The gripper further includes a suspension member connected to the frustro-conical body, and detachably connected to the expandable collet. The rotatably-operated latch of the gripper selectively disconnects the collet assembly, so that the weight of the frustro-conical body engages the mouth of the expandable collet, and expands the threaded exterior of the collet into the inner walls of the tube. The invention provides a tube gripper which is easily manually operated through a simple extension rod. It is particularly useful in removing sample tubes from areas of limited accessibility in the secondary sides of nuclear steam generators.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a depending pair of fingers may be caused to grip a component on an inside surface by spreading the fingers apart or to grip the outside surface of a component by closing the fingers upon the component, with the relative orientation of the gripping faces of the fingers depending upon sliding displacement of the tool posts supporting the fingers. The fingers are driven into positive engagement with the surface to be gripped, for both inside and outside gripping, via positive displacement and spreading of cam followers by a cam which, in turn, is displaced by a fluid cylinder. Alternatively, the fingers may be biased into engagement with the surface to be gripped, for both inside and outside gripping, with disengagement of the fingers being provided by positive displacement and spreading of the followers by the cam.

Abstract: A device for releasably holding an object, particularly a prosthetic heart valve, comprising a handle member integral with a key member which releasably engages a holder member having an interacting engaging screw which controls and limits the movement of integral cooperating fingers for holding and releasing said object; and a package assembly for storing under sterile conditions a holder member of said device attached to a prosthetic heart valve comprising a clam shell mechanism for releasably holding said holder member and valve.

Abstract: A steam generator having a steam generator chamber, a tube plate bordering the chamber, tubes terminating in the tube plate being accessible through the steam generator chamber, a tubular column in the steam generator chamber having an end facing toward the tube plate, and a swivel arm extended from the tubular column being movable parallel to the tube plate for carrying a device for testing and/or repairing the steam generator tubes, includes a clamping element for positioning the tubular column relative to a tube of the tube plate, and a coupling being detachable from outside the steam generator chamber connecting the clamping element to the tubular column, the clamping element including a drive element disposed in the tubular column, an expansion plunger connected to the drive element for axially inserting the expansion plunger partially into a tube, an expansion sleeve formed of separate clamping jaws for engaging the tubes, the clamping jaws having ends being insertible into a tube, and a holding element

Abstract: A gripping apparatus including a housing in which is slidably mounted a longitudinally movable operator body. A pair of gripper arms are slidably mounted on the operator body. Each gripper arm carries a gripper jaw engageable with a workpiece. The gripper jaws are moved along straight line travel paths into gripping engagement with a workpiece when the operator body is moved in one longitudinal direction, and they are correspondingly disengaged from the workpiece when the operator body is moved in the other longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A gripper device (24) for attachment to the inside of a tube (12) has a shaft member (26) including an upper tapered portion (30) surrounded by a generally cylindrical sleeve member (34) having at least two holes (38) opposite the tapered portion of the shaft. The sleeve outer diameter is slightly less than the inner diameter of the tube targeted for attachment. A spring (32) is connected between the shaft member and the sleeve member, for biasing the tapered shaft downwardly relative to the sleeve. A round bearing or hard ball (36) is located in each hole such that downward motion of the shaft relative to the sleeve urges the balls outwardly to protrude from the sleeve surface against the tube wall. The device is installed by pushing on stem (28) at the lower end of the shaft member to insert the device into the tube. A flange (44) is formed at the lower end of the sleeve to limit the sleeve insertion into the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for seating a very small socket contact in an electrical connector from the front side of the connector. Opposing flexible fingers, which are disposed above and below a flat wedge member and separated thereby, are extended longitudinally by plunger action beyond the wedge member which is fixed relative to the tool housing. The opposing fingers have a bend which causes their ends to come together when the fingers are extended relative to the wedge. The extended fingers and the wedge may freely be inserted into an individual socket contact from the front of the connector. Retraction of the fingers by spring bias causes the wedge to separate the ends of fingers so that knuckles at the ends of the fingers internally grasp the socket contact which may then be pulled for proper seating.

Abstract: A camlock for engaging the inside of tubular members thus suspending apparatus from the tubular members comprises a movable spacer disposed on a slidable member between two metal rings. The relative motion of the spacer and slidable member causes the metal rings to be expanded against the inside of the tubular member thereby supporting the apparatus. The metal rings have a thin wall with internal ribs that fit closely to the slidable member. The internal ribs act as stops on the inside of the metal rings so as to prevent their overexpansion.

Abstract: A hollow core holder comprising a hollow cylinder with a passive cam locking element eccentrically rotatably mounted inside the cylinder such that a portion of the edge of the cam protrudes through a slot in the wall of the cylinder in one rotation status and is wholly within the cylinder in another rotation status. As the core holder is inserted into a hollow core, the cam comes into contact with the core, holding the core to the core holder until a release mechanism rotates the cam into the cylinder, out of contact with the core.

Abstract: Apparatus for the handling of drill collar and pipe stands and comprised of a hydraulically mechanized "Derrickman" and "Derrick Floor Hand" and associated fingerboard lock bars and all of which are adapted to remote control in the placement of the stands in a derrick, both in alignment with the rotary table and fully placed within the fingers, the stand handling mechanism being characterized by articulated arms extensible by actuator means housed entirely within the confines thereof for compactness.

Abstract: A spreading device for use in quantity production of lamination stacks for electric machines has sector pieces, which fit into the bore hole of the lamination stack and are placed on a spreading mandrel. The mandrel can be moved axially by a hydraulic drive. The end faces of the sector pieces are beveled on their insides and rest against a first conical surface connected to the spreading mandrel and against a second conical surface opposite to and facing the former. To achieve uniform alignment of the lamination stack over its full length, the second conical surface is displaced by a hydraulic drive and the two conical surfaces are moved towards each other by the same amount.

Abstract: A tube extracting mechanism comprising an elongated frame defining an opening in the front end thereof and a longitudinally extending passageway in communication with the opening. A sleeve is slidably supported by the frame for longitudinal movement within the passageway. The mechanism further comprises an expandable jaw supported by the sleeve for longitudinal movement therewith, and a mandrel in communication with the expandable jaw for expanding the jaw. A plurality of teeth extend annularly about and radially outward from the expandable jaw. Each tooth includes an annularly extending central section having a gripping edge generally defining an arc for engaging the interior surface of a tube, and a pair of end sections wherein each end section annularly extends from the central section and includes a tapered edge, wherein the tapered edges radially taper inward to facilitate withdrawing the tube gripping apparatus from the tube.

Abstract: A releasing tool for use in disconnecting a casing or conductor pipe cemented below the marine floor from a riser pipe supported from a floating vessel in which the riser pipe and conductor are held together by a snap ring. This includes cam carrier connectable to the lower end of a longitudinal member, such as a drill pipe, and a releasing pin block carrying radially supported releasing pins which are urged inwardly. When the cam of the cam carrier is urged downwardly with respect to the releasing pin block it forces the releasing pins outwardly through ports in the latch pin of the casing to release the split rings from its engaging position.

Abstract: Pile extraction apparatus having a clamping device for clamping engagement with a pile. The device is suspended from a section of casing pipe by way of a universal joint. In this way the extraction apparatus may be raised and lowered by a commercially available pipe extraction machine.

Abstract: A device for gripping the insides of cores of rolls of materials, and comprising a polygonal central cam, multiple gripping cylinders which are held against the cam by resilient retainer rings and a cylindrical sleeve which retains the gripping cylinders in longitudinal slots passing through the sleeve. The gripping cylinders are caused to move radially inward and outward when the sleeve is rotated relative to the cam and the cylinders are urged outward by the corners of the cam or inward by the resilient retainer rings as the cylinders move from the corners of the polygon to the sides of the polygon.

Abstract: A filter system comprising a tank and a cage assembly releasably mounted therein. The cage assembly comprises a tube plate and a plurality of filter tubes projecting upwardly therefrom. A plurality of replaceable cartridges are telescoped over each of the tubes. Below the tubes is a plenum chamber for receiving filtered fluid. The entire cage assembly is removable from the filter tank by providing lifting trunnions on the cage assembly and by providing a yoke assembly for lifting the cage assembly out by the trunnions. The yoke assembly will automatically grasp the trunnions when it is inserted in the filter tank. A safety mechanism is provided for securing the yoke assembly on the trunnions.When the cage assembly is lifted out of the filter tank, a mechanism is provided for automatically tilting the cage assembly to dump the filter cartridges from the cage assembly. The cage assembly is then secured on a pallet which can be moved to another location for reloading clean filter cartridges on the filter tubes.

Abstract: A system for joining or docking large structures in space under remote, automatic control. As the two structures approach each other, a telescoping rigid boom on one structure is extended toward a socket on the other. The boom mount includes mechanisms providing a multidegree of freedom in pointing the boom. The end of the boom is directed into the socket whereupon a locking device holds it in place. Damping apparatus damps the relative motion between the structures. Boom retraction brings the structures together so that a final latching device can clamp the structures rigidly together.

Abstract: A releasable spear adapted to be run on a wireline or a tubing string, as desired, incorporates an elongate body and an external slidable sleeve. The sleeve is forced downwardly by a compressed spring at the top end of the sleeve. The sleeve supports a pair of internal projecting lugs which are received in an external groove formed in a tubular member. The lugs and groove function as a cam and cam follower mechanism controlling upward and downward movement. The body terminates in an elongate tapered plug. The lower end of the sleeve incorporates a set of collet fingers which have external upwardly facing serrations to lock on the interior of a fish. The external sleeve incorporates a protruding shoulder which catches the upper end of the fish. The cam and cam follower mechanism controls axial movement of the elongate tapered plug to force the collet fingers outwardly to engage, or cause them to deflect inwardly to disengage a fish.

Abstract: An attachment device for underwater salvage operations which has an elongd cylindrical body and a plurality of extendable lugs supported in one or more apertures near the tapered end of the cylindrical body. After insertion in a predrilled hole, the lugs are extended either by a spring action or mechanically by a shaft passing through the center of the cylindrical body. An external concentric collar on the hollow body supports a shackle for attachment of a cable. A scalloped handle attached to the hollow body at the end adjacent to the shackle permits the collar to be tightened down firmly against the hull after attachment to increase side load bending strength by the lift cable attached to the shackle. The end of the cylindrical body adjacent to the extendable lugs may be tapered to aid in alignment and insertion in a predrilled hole.