The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 1988
Filed:
Sep. 02, 1986
Patrick M Minogue, Shaler, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is a transport system for an inspection system that includes a flexible controller end effector for carrying inspection and gripping devices. The transport system includes a hollow flexible conduit through which control cables for the effector can pass unobstructed. A rotatable deflector assembly helps guide the end effector as it enters the steam generator using a rotatable deflector channel and an extension. A drive assembly provides axial movement control for the end effector allowing easy insertion and retrieval. The axial movement is provided by friction rollers coupled to an axial drive mechanism and mounted in a drive box. The drive assembly also provides orientation control to allow the end effector to be rotated by rotating the drive box which rotates the conduit held in place by the direction rollers. The drive assembly further provides two spatially fixed locations from which the axial and rotational motions can be provided. The flexible conduit is taken up from and gathered by a conduit basket outside the steam generator. The conduit basket includes a control assembly for controlling the end effector via the control cables passing through the hollow conduit.