Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Charles M Scrabis

Roy T Hardin, Jr

Paul Pomaibo

Leonard R Golick

Gregory E Mazza

A tool for maintaining ice baskets associated with a nuclear reactor system. The frame of the tool includes a platform which is disposed on a lattice support structure surrounding a selected and isolated basket. The tool includes an electric drill mounted for vertical reciprocation, in parallel axial relationship with the ice basket, and plural, selectively connectable auger shaft sections having a continuous helical fin thereabout which are connected in succession between the drill and a rotary drill bit, for drilling a hole of the required length, down through the ice within the ice basket. The drill then is maintained at an upper, vertically fixed position and a funnel positioned about the auger; ice chips or flakes are fed into the funnel while the drill is driven in reverse rotation, the auger conveying the ice to the bottom of the ice basket for filling lowermost voids and for filling successively higher voids as the auger is withdrawn. Clamping means are provided for clamping the protruding end of an auger section, during both the assembly of a successive auger section thereto and the disassembly of a successive auger section therefrom.

Maintenance screw drill/conveyor tool and method for maintenance of ice

A handling tool for selectively removable cruciforms employed in ice baskets of the type employed with nuclear power generator systems. The tool includes clamping means for engaging a compressible central portion of the removable cruciform to retract same inwardly and permit moving same, in a horizontal orientation, throughout the axial height of the interior of the ice basket. When at a desired elevation, selective actuating means moves previously retracted guide means to an extended or projected position for engaging a retaining ring of the ice basket and supporting the tool on the ring. The clamping means is selectively actuated to the disengaged position for releasing the cruciform whereupon the same expands, projecting legs associated therewith radially outwardly and engaging the retaining ring, to support the cruciform on the ring. The tool may thereafter be removed. For removing a cruciform, the tool is lowered and the clamping means actuated to engage and compress the central portion thereof for releasing these from the ring and, in that condition, is raised for removing the cruciform from the ice basket.

Handling tool for, and method of use of, ice basket removable cruciform

Removable cruciforms are selectively installed at predetermined, spaced elevations within ice baskets associated with a nuclear power system, each ice basket having a generally cylindrical sidewall with plural, annular retaining rings secured therein at predetermined, spaced elevations, each cruciform being installed at predetermined, axially displaced elevations, engaging a corresponding annular retaining ring. Each cruciform comprises a pair of brackets joined together between parallel base portions by respective support plate assemblies and slide plates in telescoping, sliding relationshp, defining with the base portions, a spring housing of generally square configuration within which a generally C-shaped spring is received. A pair of legs extends integrally from the longitudinal edges of the base portion of each bracket, angularly disposed so as to extend radially within the ice basket. A cruciform is compressible to permit axial translation of the cruciform, while horizontally oriented, through the ice basket. When in position at a desired elevation for installation, the cruciform is released from compression to permit the C-shaped spring to expand and engage the legs of the brackets with the associated retaining ring.

Removable cruciform for ice condenser ice basket

Method for maintenance of ice beds of ice condenser containment

A weighing tool and method for determining the weight of ice contained within each of a plurality of ice baskets received within corresponding compartments of a lattice frame, as employed with nuclear power generators. A cylinder body includes lug support frames and corresponding lugs movable to retracted positions for inserting the weighing tool within the upper end of an ice basket, and to extended positions for being engaging in the ice basket and securing the tool thereto. A piston movable in sliding relationship within the body and defining upper and lower compartment therein is secured through a piston rod to a support bar which rests on the lattice frame and spans the compartment. Hydraulic fluid under controlled, increasing pressure is introduced into the upper compartment, driving the cylinder body upwardly relatively to the stationary piston so as to raise the ice basket. The pressure necessary to lift the ice basket provides a measure of the total weight of the ice basket. Alternatively or additionally, a load cell subjected to the weight of the raised ice basket provides an output indication of the weight. Since the weight of the empty ice basket is known, a simple subtraction yields the weight of ice resident within the ice basket.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Charles M Scrabis