Framatome Technologies, Inc.

Richard Andrew Montana

Peter Michael Knollmeyer

Michael Lee McGinnis

A retractable probe for placing and removing corrosion coupons from a steam generator during chemical cleaning of the steam generator, the chemical process occurring at a relatively high pressure and temperature. The probe includes a series of inner-linked and hinged sections which may be manipulated to insert the probe within and through the various structures of the steam generator, including the shell and shroud, while avoiding contact with tie rods and blow down lines and facilitating easier operation within the tight confines of the barriers surrounding the generator system. A bendable Teflon.RTM. rod is used to withdraw the coupon through the differently angled sections of the probe and eventually through the nozzle opening or man-hole of the shell. A selectively openable valve is utilized in combination with a packing gland. This combination allows the coupon to be removed while the steam generator is being cleaned or operated.

Tube sheet retractable probe

A probe positioner for placing a monitoring device into the confines of a boiler or steam generator vessel. The apparatus includes a support arm having a plurality of links and hinges pivotally connecting the links. A handle is attached to a flange connected to the first link to provide axial rotation between first and second support arm orientations. A monitor mount for mounting monitoring devices is attached to the end of the third link opposite from the second link. The support arm is adapted to remain in the first support arm orientation while being horizontally placed through an opening in an inner and outer substantially vertically oriented wall and pivot downwardly at each hinge along the inner wall as the support arm is rotated from the first support arm orientation to the second support arm orientation without fully horizontally extending past the second wall.

Growing community of inventors

Evington, VA, United States of America

Richard Andrew Montana