Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Scott A Kendrick

Frank J Formanek

Kenneth V Margotta

Edward F Lamoureux

Francis X McDonald

Edward A Siegel

Edward G Sirica

David J Ayres

Pete Leombruni

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

An irradiated steel pressurized nuclear reactor pressure vessel 10 is provided with a crack initiation retarding and crack extension retarding reactor vessel integrity girdle 20 or 120 made up of shoes or links 22, with mechanical take up joints (26 to 34a or 126 to 134a). Instead of pivoted shoe links 22, the girdle 120 may be made using constricting roller chain links 122. In any event, crack initiation and crack extension which may result from pressure loading or vessel material embrittled in the beltline region by neutron bombardment is retarded by maintenance of a prestress under the nozzles during all periods of operation of the reactor.

Method of retarding irradiated nuclear vessel crack initiation and

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Colchester, CT, United States of America

Scott A Kendrick