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:
May. 14, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1994
Benedict Kazirskis, Barto, PA (US);
James C Donohue, Sharon Hill, PA (US);
General Electric Company, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems of a nuclear reactor without removal/replacement of the old piping. The process involves the steps of machining a counterbore of exposed corrosion-susceptible material and then depositing a corrosion-resistant weld material, thereby isolating the weld joint from corrosion susceptibility. A tool is inserted into the inside diameter of the piping system through an inspection port, valve body or segment removal. Then a tool mounting fixture equipped with axial and rotational capabilities is positioned in relation to the weld joint and locked in place. The tool mounting fixture remains locked in place throughout the entire repair process. A work surface mapping module is programmed to first gather relative reference points throughout the entire repair region. Upon data acquisition completion, the system creates a map of the existing inside diameter configuration. Then in successive stages, a machining head module and a welding head module are respectively manually installed and remotely operated by computer control. The machining and welding processes follow the existing configuration such that upon completion, the final repair blends with the piping inside diameter contour.