Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC

General Electric Company

Lam Research Corporation

Christopher Martin Welsh

Jack Toshio Matsumoto

Barry Hal Koepke

Trevor James Davis

Nicholas Kandabarow

Jarred Smith

Gregory A Francisco

Mark D Sumner

Robert W Whitling

David Platt Ketcham

John Eddes Erbes

Jeffrey J Grinnell

Barry H Koepke

Robert Whitling

EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.

Electrical discharge machining assemblies and methods for using the same

A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise evacuating an interior of the jet pump assembly that is filled with a first liquid by injecting a gas to purge the first liquid from the interior to provide an evacuated surface. In addition, the method may comprise directing a jet of a second liquid onto the evacuated surface.

Method of cleaning a nozzle of a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor

A method of cleaning a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor may comprise inserting a cleaning tool into the jet pump assembly such that a front face of the cleaning tool is adjacent to an inner surface of the jet pump assembly and below a level of a first liquid in the jet pump assembly. The method may additionally comprise directing a plurality of front jets of a second liquid from a plurality of front orifices on the front face of the cleaning tool such that the plurality of front jets of the second liquid strikes the inner surface of the jet pump assembly. The method may further comprise maintaining a standoff distance between the front face of the cleaning tool and the inner surface of the jet pump assembly during the cleaning of the jet pump assembly.

Method of cleaning a throat section of a jet pump assembly of a nuclear reactor

An apparatus configured to structurally replace a cracked weld in a nuclear plant may include: a first body portion that includes a first gripping portion; a second body portion that includes a second gripping portion; a wedge portion between the first and second body portions; and/or an adjustment portion. The first body portion may be configured to slidably engage the second body portion. The wedge portion may be configured to exert force on the slidably engaged first and second body portions. The adjustment portion may be configured to increase or decrease the force exerted by the wedge portion on the slidably engaged first and second body portions. When the adjustment portion increases the force exerted by the wedge portion on the slidably engaged first and second body portions, a distance between the first and second gripping portions may decrease.

Apparatuses and methods for structurally replacing cracked welds in nuclear power plants

A servicing platform for a nuclear reactor refueling floor is provided. In various embodiments, the servicing platform includes a base structured to be anchored to a refueling floor of the nuclear reactor. The servicing platform additionally includes a telescoping mast having a mounting collar at a first end that is rotationally attached to the base, and a personnel work basket pivotally coupled to a second end of the mast.

Reactor servicing platform

Disclosed is an unlatching tool that may be used to unlatch a control rod from a control drive. The unlatching tool may include a baseplate, a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the baseplate, a first frame and a second frame attached to the baseplate, a stepper motor attached to the first frame, a worm drive attached to the first frame, a cable reel shaft attached to the first and second frame, a hose wrapped around the cable reel shaft, and a hook attached to a first end of the hose. The hook may include a cylindrical sleeve having a at least one finger configured to fold and unfold. Disclosed also is a method of unlatching a control rod from a control drive.

Control rod blade unlatching tool

In a method and device for facilitating a uniform loading condition for a plurality of support members supporting a steam dryer in a nuclear reactor, the device may include at least one or more actuators. Each actuator may be provided between a corresponding support member and a lower bearing surface of a portion of the dryer for lifting its corresponding dryer portion lower bearing surface relative to the support member. The device may include at least one or more measurement units. Each measurement unit may correspond to a given support member for measuring a displacement value between the corresponding support member and the lower bearing surface of its corresponding dryer portion.

Method and device for facilitating a uniform loading condition for a plurality of support members supporting a steam dryer in a nuclear reactor

A method for delivery of a tool into a submerged bore includes controlling the movement of a tool delivery device in the pool by operating at least one propulsion drive located on the tool delivery device. The tool delivery device is coupled to an inlet to the bore and a tool is inserted from the tool delivery device through the inlet and into the bore.

Method of delivering a tool into a submerged bore

A probe for inspecting a bore includes a housing dimensioned for insertion into the bore and a plurality of stabilization legs having a first end attached to the housing and a second end extendable from the housing. The stabilization legs are configured to contact the inner surface of the bore. A plurality of sensor arms is extendable from the housing and is rotatable relative to the stabilization legs. A motor provides for rotating the sensor arms relative to the stabilization legs.

Bore inspection probe

An apparatus for delivering a tool into a nuclear reactor jet pump submerged in a reactor pool includes a frame, and a propulsion unit for controlling the movement of the tool delivery apparatus within a pool of liquid. A guide assembly provides for delivery and insertion of the tool into an inlet of the jet pump and includes a bore insertion portion. A tool position driver provides for controlling the vertical position of the tool in relation to the guide assembly.

Apparatus for delivering a tool into a submerged bore

Methods and systems for preparing a substrate implementing a surface tension reducing process are provided. In one example, a substrate preparation system includes a chuck which fingers for edge gripping the substrate. The chuck is hollow to provide simultaneous access to both active and backside surfaces of the substrate, and is configured to rotate the substrate. The system includes dispense arms positioned over the substrate surfaces. The dispense arms are capable of moving between a center region and a periphery of the substrate surfaces, and each dispense arm includes a pair of supply lines for delivering fluids over the substrate surfaces. A connection couples the upper dispense arm with the lower dispense arm so that the dispense arms synchronously move between the center region and the periphery of the substrate, and remain aligned on opposite surfaces of the substrate.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Christopher Martin Welsh