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:
Apr. 24, 1990
Filed:
Jul. 05, 1988
Michael F Hankinson, Monroeville, PA (US);
Kenneth J Swidwa, North Versailles, PA (US);
Robert B Salton, Plum Borough, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A remotely operated device which attaches to an existing internals lifting rig to safely lift and transport nuclear reactor internals structures. The device includes a grapple assembly uniquely formed to maximize the effective bearing surface of an annular shoulder disposed on the grapple assembly to engage the internal structure. The annular shoulder comprises a first outer diameter, the annular shoulder defining a second outer diameter disposed thereabove. The grapple assembly comprises a plurality of fingers circumferentially disposed about an actuator rod which has a diameter essentially equal to a first inner diameter of the grapple assembly. The lower end of the grapple assembly has a second inner diameter smaller than the first and axially adjacent to the annular shoulder. In order to maximize the bearing surface, the fingers of the grapple assembly are formed such that the first inner and outer diameters are machined with respect to a first axis, whereas the second inner and outer diameters are formed with respect to a second axis parallel to the first. These machining axes are offset from each other by a distance which is equal to the desired amount of radial expansion of the fingers. This uniquely formed grapple device thus has a bearing surface 30 to 40 percent greater than that achieved by prior art devices.