General Electric Company

Gary S Martin

James E Holden

Richard E Kingston

Michael J Sullivan

Robert B Elkins

Thomas G Dunlap

Sujith Sathian

Jeffrey A Wilson

Robert K Williams

Thomas F Carter

James F McLeod

Ararat Pogosian

Locksley V Hampton

John G Pistolis

Dennis D Kessen

An article as disclosed herein comprises a steel comprising carbon in an amount greater than 0.18 weight percent and less than or equal to 0.23 weight percent by ladle analysis, wherein a test article consisting of the steel has a low temperature Charpy V-notch toughness of greater than or equal to 54 Joules when measured at &#x2212;40&#xb0; C. according to ASTM E23-01, and wherein a test article consisting of the steel further meets the other test requirements for S355NL steel according to European Norm EN 10 113-2:1993. In an embodiment, the article is a flange for a wind tower, and is suitable for use under extremely cold operating conditions (to &#x2212;30&#xb0; C.). A method for forming the flange is also disclosed.

Steel composition, articles prepared there from, and uses thereof

The control rod includes an upper absorber section and a lower velocity limiter comprised of a socket, a vane, a transition piece and a set of fins. To adjust the weight of the control rod, lighter and heavier sets of fins, as well as lighter and heavier transition pieces are provided. By suitable selection of the lighter and heavier sets of fins and the lighter and heavier transition pieces, the weight of the velocity limiter can be selectively adjusted in accordance with the weights of differently designed sections to obtain a predetermined control rod weight. Additionally, the heavier transition piece may have material removed therefrom to decrease its weight to provide an infinite adjustment of weight within a predetermined range of weights for the velocity limiter.

Apparatus and method for adjusting the weight of a velocity limiter for a control rod of a nuclear reactor

A control rod includes four panels in cruciform section each containing a plurality of absorber tubes. The absorber tubes are mounted between upper and lower mounting structures having generally T-shaped slots opening toward one another. The absorber tubes have generally T-shaped end plugs for reception in the slots. The slots and end plugs are configured to permit limited axial movement of each absorber tube relative to the control rod and to adjacent tubes. The absorber tubes are maintained in tension during all nuclear operations including during a scram.

Control rod for a nuclear reactor having mounting structures for

A tube and end plug assembly include a tube having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; an end plug having a tapered body portion with minimum and maximum diameters and a radial flange adjacent the minimum diameter. The tapered body portion is located within an end portion of the tube which is in substantially continuous engagement with the tapered body portion of the plug. A related process of joining an end plug to a hollow tube having a cylindrical end portion, with inside and outside diameters, and wherein the end plug has a body portion with minimum and maximum diameters connected by a tapered surface and a radial flange adjacent the minimum diameter includes the steps of: a) inserting the end plug into the cylindrical end portion of the tube such that the radial flange engages an edge of the cylindrical end portion of the tube; b) deforming the cylindrical end portion of the tube into conformance with the tapered body portion of the end plug; and c) welding the end plug to the tube circumferentially about a joint between the radial flange and the edge.

Reverse taper end plug

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

Gary S Martin