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:
Feb. 04, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1994
Sterling J Weems, Chevy Chase, MD (US);
Noman Cole, Mason Neck, VA (US);
H William McCurdy, Vienna, VA (US);
MPR Associates, Inc., Alexandria, VA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for repairing nuclear reactor core shrouds includes applying vertical compressive forces to the shroud in situ to urge opposed ends of the shroud toward one another using a plurality of tie-rods, each including a plurality of coaxial longitudinal members separated by a radial gap filled with reactor coolant or some other damping fluid. One of the longitudinal members is secured to upper and lower portions of the shroud for maintaining a sufficient preload to hold the shroud together and is coupled with one or more other longitudinal members in a manner to transmit axial loads thereto upon extending a predetermined axial distance. A plurality of radial spacers can also be positioned at longitudinally spaced locations along the length of the tie-rod to assure control rod insertion by limiting lateral movement of the shroud and can reduce the preload required for preventing the formation of new cracks and stabilizing existing cracks.