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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7649970 | Repair apparatus for a nuclear reactor shroud The tie rod repair apparatus includes a tie rod secured at its upper end to the shroud flange at the top of the shroud. The lower end of the tie rod passes through an opening in the shroud support plate without imposing a load on the plate. The lower end of the tie ... | 01/19/2010 |
| 7272204 | Method and apparatus for clamping a riser brace assembly in nuclear reactor An apparatus and method are provided which are designed to structurally replace welds that attach a riser brace assembly to a jet pump riser pipe. The riser brace assembly may include an upper clamp assembly, a lower clamp assembly, and a plurality of mechanical fas... | 09/18/2007 |
| 6683931 | Unirradiated nuclear fuel transport system An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly transport canister that includes a clamshell type fuel assembly inner liner that has interior dimensions that closely conform to the outer envelope of the fuel assembly to be transported and exterior dimensions that c... | 01/27/2004 |
| 6389094 | Integral forged shroud flange for a boiling water reactor A forged upper shroud section which may be machined from a single piece rectangular cross-section ring forging and includes a circular flange and a cylindrical shell is described. Openings and slots are machined into the flange to align and support the sh... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6343107 | Shroud repair apparatus A repair apparatus for a shroud in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel is described. The repair apparatus includes an upper stabilizer assembly, a lower stabilizer assembly, and a tie rod configured to extend between and to couple to the upper and lower sta... | 01/29/2002 |
| 6233301 | Jet pump sensing line T-bolt clamp electrode discharge machining tool An electrode discharge machining (EDM) apparatus for machining slots in a jet pump diffuser in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel is described. The apparatus is configured to machine a plurality of slots in the diffuser at positions behind the diffuser sen... | 05/15/2001 |
| 6091791 | Shroud attachment for a boiling water reactor A shroud attachment assembly which provides both structural support for the shroud and a seal between the shroud and shroud support is described. In one specific embodiment, the shroud attachment assembly includes a shroud flange formed integral with the ... | 07/18/2000 |
| 6067338 | Reactor core shroud repair using thermally tensioned links to apply compression across shroud vertical seam weld An apparatus for repairing the core shroud of a nuclear reactor having one or more cracked vertical seam welds. The repair involves machining two holes in the shroud on opposing sides of the cracked vertical seam weld and then attaching two flexible links... | 05/23/2000 |
| 6055288 | Nuclear reactor vessel A nuclear reactor vessel has a baffle-barrel assembly for supporting the fuel assemblies in its core region and guiding coolant flowing through the core region when the reactor vessel is in service. The baffle assembly includes a baffle plate fastened to ... | 04/25/2000 |
| 6009137 | Mid-shroud joint for a boiling water reactor A mid-shroud joint which improves the replaceability of the shroud is described. In one embodiment, the shroud includes a core shroud and a lower shroud. A core plate support flange is clamped between the core shroud and the lower shroud, and the core pla... | 12/28/1999 |
| 5995574 | Integral forged shroud flange for a boiling water reactor A shroud including an integral track for mounting inspection and cleaning tooling is described. In one embodiment, the shroud includes substantially cylindrical first and second shroud sections having a main body with a first end and a second end. One shr... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5991353 | Core barrel for a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor plant and method of repairing a core barrel A core barrel for a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor plant has a carrying structure that is supported on an inner surface of the shroud of the barrel. The carrying structure receives a tension rod that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5930320 | Assemblies and methods for mitigating effects of reactor pressure vessel expansion Support assemblies for allowing RPV radial expansion while simultaneously limiting horizontal, vertical, and azimuthal movement of the RPV within a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a support block and a guide... | 07/27/1999 |
| 5905771 | Reactor core shroud repair using splice plate to bridge weld seam An apparatus for repairing a shroud in which one or more seam welds are cracked. The repair involves the attachment of a splice bracket to the shroud so that the bracket bridges the cracked weld seam and is applicable to both vertical and horizontal weld ... | 05/18/1999 |
| 5864594 | Apparatus and method for replacing internal components in a nuclear reactor An apparatus and method are provided for replacing the existing lower internal components in a nuclear reactor vessel with new components. The alignment of the new lower internals to the pressure vessel and the existing upper internals is achieved by cust... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5828713 | Replacement core shroud assembly for a boiling water reactor A method of replacing a boiling water reactor core shroud includes the steps of removing at least a portion of the existing core shroud from supporting structure in the reactor vessel, lowering a replacement shroud into the reactor vessel, positioning the... | 10/27/1998 |
| 5815543 | Seismic support with clearance gap and yieldable member In a nuclear reactor including a reactor vessel and a core shroud disposed within the reactor vessel in laterally spaced relation, a seismic support includes a spacer extending between laterally opposed surfaces of the reactor vessel and the core shroud t... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5802129 | Mechanically joined replacement shroud for boiling water nuclear reactor In a pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor containing a core assembly enclosed within a core shroud, the core shroud spaced radially inwardly of a pressure vessel wall, with an annular shroud support plate fixed to the pressure vessel wall, wherein a lower... | 09/01/1998 |
| 5793828 | Method and apparatus for repair of nuclear reactor shroud In order to support a shroud against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or like types of weaknesses which have been detected, and fastened in place using a suitable fastening technique. Hole... | 08/11/1998 |
| 5781603 | Method and apparatus for repair of nuclear reactor shroud In order to support a shroud against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps which are preferably formed of the same material as the shroud, are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or the like type of weaknesses which have been detecte... | 07/14/1998 |
| 5771266 | Device for joining together two plates of the baffle assembly of the core of a nuclear reactor The device (15) for joining together a first plate (7) and a second plate (8)of the baffle assembly, which are located substantially at right angles, includes a screw (16) engaged in a housing consisting of an opening (18) passing through the first plate ... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5742653 | Vertical and lateral restraint stabilizer for core shroud of boiling water reactor An apparatus for stabilizing a shroud against vertical and lateral deflection. The apparatus forms a vertical load path by which the shroud flange can be anchored to the shroud support plate. In the tensioned state, an upper support assembly exerts a rest... | 04/21/1998 |
| 5737379 | Reactor core shroud repair using thermally tensioned ring to apply compression across shroud vertical seam welds An apparatus for repairing the core shroud of a nuclear reactor having one or more cracked vertical seam welds. The repair involves installation of a ring around the circumference of the shroud while the reactor is shutdown. The ring is tensioned with a m... | 04/07/1998 |
| 5729581 | Core shroud, in particular for cladding a reactor core in a boiling-water nuclear reactor and a method for repairing a core shroud Core shrouds are conventionally welded together from cylindrical parts and annular flanges, wherein cracks have recently occurred in the region of weld seams in reactors of the boiling-water type. A core shroud, in particular for cladding a reactor core i... | 03/17/1998 |
| 5712887 | Methods and apparatus for applying a compressive force to a core shroud Methods and apparatus for maintaining a compression force in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a spring assembly facilitates applying compression force on the shroud head. The spring as... | 01/27/1998 |
| 5687206 | Method of replacing a boiling water reactor core shroud A method of replacing a boiling water reactor core shroud includes the steps of removing at least a portion of the existing core shroud from supporting structure in the reactor vessel, lowering a replacement shroud into the reactor vessel, positioning the... | 11/11/1997 |
| 5683216 | Spring latching mechanisms for preventing relative movement of assembled components Spring latching mechanisms for preventing relative rotation or relative displacement of assembled components during operation of a nuclear reactor. The first type of mechanism prevents rotation of a threaded fastener which fastens a first component to a s... | 11/04/1997 |
| 5675619 | Reactor core shroud repair using splice plate to bridge weld seam An apparatus for repairing a shroud in which one or more seam welds are cracked. The repair involves the attachment of a splice bracket to the shroud so that the bracket bridges the cracked weld seam and is applicable to both vertical and horizontal weld ... | 10/07/1997 |
| 5659590 | Removable shroud and pump deck for a boiling water nuclear reactor In a pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor containing a core assembly enclosed within a core shroud, the core shroud spaced radially inwardly of a side wall of the pressure vessel with an annular pump deck located in an annular radial space between the cor... | 08/19/1997 |
| 5623526 | Method and apparatus for repair of nuclear reactor shroud In order to support a shroud against bending, shear, stress and torsion, straps which are preferably formed of the same material as the shroud, are placed in strategic positions with respect to cracks or the like type of weaknesses which have been detecte... | 04/22/1997 |
| 5621778 | Shroud restraint stabilizer A method and an apparatus for stabilizing a shroud against lateral deflection. The shroud restraint stabilizer has springs which exert radially inwardly directed forces that resist lateral deflection of the shroud relative to the reactor pressure vessel. ... | 04/15/1997 |
| 5600689 | Method and apparatus for repairing boiling water reactor shrouds utilizing tie-rods with multiple longitudinal members 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 coaxia... | 02/04/1997 |
| 5600690 | Method and apparatus for repairing boiling water reactor shrouds utilizing tie-rods and braces A method and apparatus for repairing nuclear reactor core shrouds having horizontal cracks in heat affected zones of welds joining a horizontal plate to upper and lower cylindrical sections of the shroud includes securing a plurality of braces between an ... | 02/04/1997 |
| 5588031 | Apparatus for reinforcing a reactor vessel core shroud An apparatus, which reinforces a shroud that is contained within a reactor vessel, is operable for reinforcement of the shroud in the event of cracking in the shroud. The apparatus comprises a reactor wall positioned surrounding the shroud. A beam is atta... | 12/24/1996 |
| 5583899 | Removable retrofit shroud for a boiling water nuclear reactor and associated method In a pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor containing a core assembly enclosed within a core shroud, the shroud spaced radially inwardly of a side wall of the pressure vessel, and an annular pump deck welded in a place in an annular radial space between th... | 12/10/1996 |
| 5577082 | Repaired shroud assembly for a boiling water reactor A method of repairing nuclear reactor core shrouds having horizontal cracks in heat affected zones of welds includes applying vertical compressive forces to the shroud in situ to urge opposed surfaces of the cracks toward one another. A plurality of tie r... | 11/19/1996 |
| 5574760 | Method and apparatus for supporting a shroud in a nuclear reactor In order to eliminate the need to weld, drill or otherwise machine a shroud structure which is used to surround a plurality of fuel assemblies in a nuclear reactor, a plurality of upper hanger rods interconnect a structure above the shroud to a support ri... | 11/12/1996 |
| 5550883 | Vessel of a nuclear reactor, including means for holding its lower internals and method of adjusting the holding means The vessel of the nuclear reactor includes at least three assemblies (22) distributed around the periphery of the core support plate (25), each comprising a key (26) fixed to the inner surface of the wall (21) of the vessel at the core support plate (25) ... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5538381 | Mechanism for coupling a member to a circular hole in a metal plate A method and an apparatus for restraining a cracked shroud against vertical joint separation. The method involves the placement of a plurality of tie rods (e.g., four) in the downcomer annulus at respective azimuthal positions, each of the tie rods having... | 07/23/1996 |
| 5521951 | Reactor core shroud repair with tapered pins A method and an apparatus for repairing a shroud in which one or more shroud girth seam welds have experienced SCC. The method involves the placement of a plurality of brackets around the outer circumference of the shroud at a plurality of azimuthal posit... | 05/28/1996 |
