Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Francis X McDonald

Glen E Schukei

Eric M Weisel

Frank J Formanek

Edward F Lamoureux

Edward A Siegel

Edward G Sirica

Scott A Kendrick

William D Marriott

Winslow K Duff

Peter Leombruni

A nuclear power plant fuel transfer tube quick operating remote closure device (10) comprised of a reducing ring (20) and a cover assembly (60). The reducing ring (20) is bolted to the transfer tube housing flange (12). Rotation of a chuck key advances jaws on the cover assembly (60) which feed closure latches (78) into a groove (40) on the reducing ring (20). The upper surface (80) of each latch (78) has a bevelled surface (82) corresponding to a bevelled surface (42) of the groove (40). As the latches (78) engage the groove bevelled surface (42), the entire cover assembly (60) is uniformly drawn toward the reducing ring (20). Machined seal faces (13, 30, 44, 68) and O rings (36, 74) provide a fluid and air tight seal between the transfer tube housing flange (12) and the sealing ring (20) and between the cover assembly (60) and the sealing ring (20). Belleville springs (86) in the latch assemblies (64) allow the latches (78) to move independently as they engage the reducing ring (20), provide a latch preload to compensate for the effects of differential thermal expansion, and allow the cover assembly (60) to be installed simply by turning the mechanical actuator (62) until it is hardstopped.

Fuel transfer tube quick operating remote closure device

A data acquisition system (1) by which environmental parameters proximate to plant installed valves (2) may be monitored, recorded and correlated with other valve operating data. The system includes sensors (8) for sensing environmental parameters such as gas/vapor concentration, temperature or humidity. The system also includes sensors for sensing changes in the actuating variable (34) and sensors for sensing valve stem displacement (58). The sensors (8, 34, 6) generate electrical signals proportional to the value of the sensed parameter. First data interface equipment (32, 42, 43) is provided for digitizing the sensed actuating variable as the actuating variable is changed to displace the stem, preferably a full stroke from the open-to-close-to-open positions or vice versa. Second data interface equipment (7, 45) is provided for digitizing the sensed environmental parameter as the stem is displaced. Third data interface equipment (6, 45) is provided for digitizing the sensed stem displacement. The digitized data are stored, preferably with a computer (45) and associated random access memory, and can later be uploaded for use in, for example, a plant database system or correlated to evaluate valve operability.

Valve diagnostic environmental data acquisitioner

A non-intrusive method for timing the full operational motion of a valve plug (26) in an electrically actuated, pneumatically operated valve (10). An actuation signal is sent to the valve actuator (54). A coil of wire (68) around the valve actuator solenoid (56), an accelerometer (70) on the solenoid slug (64), or a connection to a permanent pressure sensor (72), non-intrusively senses arrival of the actuation signal at the valve. The time measuring equipment (12) begins timing when the actuation signal is sensed. A laser valve motion sensor (74) then non-intrusively senses when the valve plug reaches a limit of motion. The time measuring equipment ends timing when the valve plug reaches a limit of motion. The time measuring equipment then records the elapsed time from the sensing of the arrival of actuation signal to the final limit of motion of the valve plug.

Pneumatic operated valve stroke timing

A system and method for installing a nozzle dam unit (26) in a nuclear steam generator having a head (12) including a head internal surface, a manway (14) penetrating the head, and a nozzle (16) penetrating the head. The system comprises a manipulator (76) adapted to be passed through the manway and having open end (82) adapted to be attached remotely to the head internal surface and a free end including a clamp member (104). A plurality of nozzle dam segments (54, 56, 58) are each sized to pass through the manway and carry means thereon (120) for engaging at least one other segment, the segments when fully engaged to each other forming a dam subassembly sized to pass into and seat against the nozzle. The manipulator is controlled so that the clamp member grasps and supports one of the dam segments within the head until the subassembly is formed within the head, and then is translated within the head until the dam subassembly seats within the nozzle.

System for installing a steam generator nozzle dam

A system and method for installing a nozzle dam unit (26) in a nuclear steam generator having a head (12) including a head internal surface, a manway (14) penetrating the head, and a nozzle (16) penetrating the head. The system comprises a manipulator (76) adapted to be passed through the manway and having one end (82) adapted to be attached remotely to the head internal surface and a free end including a clamp member (104). A plurality of nozzle dam segments (54, 56, 58) are each sized to pass through the manway and carry means thereon (120) for engaging at least one other segment, the segments when fully engaged to each other forming a dam subassembly sized to pass into and seat against the nozzle. The manipulator is controlled so that the clamp member grasps and supports one of the dam segments within the head until the subassembly is formed within the head, and then is translated within the head until the dam subassembly seats within the nozzle.

Remotely installed steam generator nozzle dam system

A modular radiation shielding system for use on the lower side of a nuclear steam generator tubesheet 14 to protect inspection and repair workers in the primary head 20 of the generator 10 from radiation of the tubesheet 14 and plurality of tubes 12 it secures. The modular assemblies each comprise a geometrically shaped lead panel 22 sheathed in a stainless steel box 30 with a transverse opening extending therethrough for alignment with a tube 12. A rapid installation tube gripper 40, which may have a lead nose for shielding, extends through the opening and into a tube 12 to hold the geometrically shaped modular assembly against the lower surface of the tubesheet 14.

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Enfield, CT, United States of America

Francis X McDonald