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:
Mar. 09, 1993
Filed:
Jun. 28, 1991
Daniel M Gately, Peekskill, NY (US);
Louis J Zezza, Brookfield, CT (US);
William R Masetti, White Plains, NY (US);
Consolidation Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for maintaining a water level which immerses heat exchanger tubes, containing radioactive emitting material, within an inner shell of a steam generator while permitting space between the inner shell and a coaxial outer shell to be free of water during operations performed by workmen in such space after the apparatus is installed thereby reducing exposure of the workmen to harmful radiation. Seal support segments are installed around the inner shell at the lower end of the space and in engagement with the inner and outer shells. A pair of inflatable tubes are placed end-to-end on the support segments so as to encircle the inner shell. Seal retention segments which, together, form a ring around the inner shell are placed on the inflatable tubes and the latter tubes are inflated to form a water tight seal between the shells. The water level in the shells can be lowered to a level below the inflatable tubes during installation of the components and the water level within the inner shell can be raised so as to immerse the radiation emitting tubes after inflation of the inflatable tubes, but preferably, the radiation emitting tubes are maintained immersed in water until the components are installed and the inflation of the inflatable tubes, and water in the space is then pumped out.