Patent US4216893A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4216893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for remotely repairing tubes in a steam generator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1978-05-22
•
Granted: 1980-08-12
•
Expires: 1998-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus that is assembled quickly inside a channel head of a steam generator and is capable of performing various repair and inspection techniques remotely in order to reduce radiation exposure and facilitate rapid repair of the tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond H. Glatthorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:34
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F11/00; F28F11/02; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003; F22B37/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for remotely repairing tubes disposed in a tube sheet in a channel head of a steam generator having a manway disposed in said head, said apparatus comprising: a column rotatably disposed in said head generally perpendicular to said tube sheet; a boom pivotally mounted on said column; means for rotating said column and said boom therewith; means for pivoting said boom from a position generally parallel to said tube sheet to a position generally aligned with said manway; a carriage disposed to ride lengthwise along said boom; means for moving said carriage lengthwise along said boom and for affixing the position of said carriage on said boom; a tool operative on a tube; a tool holder pivotally disposed on said carriage so as to axially align said tool with the axis of a tube and to allow rotation of the tool and tool holder so that they fit through the manway; means for moving the tool rectilinearly, said means being disposed on said tool holder whereby said apparatus will perform repair operation on said tubes; and an extension for said boom whereby, when connected thereto, said carriage can be driven through said manway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for remotely repairing tubes disposed in a tube sheet in a channel head of a steam generator having a manway disposed in said head, said apparatus comprising: a column rotatably disposed in said head generally perpendicular to said tube sheet; a boom pivotally mounted on said column; means for rotating said column and said boom therewith; means for pivoting said boom from a position generally parallel to said tube sheet to a position generally aligned with said manway; a carriage disposed to ride lengthwise along said boom; means for moving said carriage lengthwise along said boom and for affixing the position of said carriage on said boom; a tool operative on a tube; a tool holder pivotally disposed on said carriage so as to axially align said tool with the axis of a tube and to allow rotation of the tool and tool holder so that they fit through the manway; means for moving the tool rectilinearly, said means being disposed on said tool holder whereby said apparatus will perform repair operation on said tubes; and an extension for said boom whereby, when connected thereto, said carriage can be driven through said manway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for remotely repairing tubes disposed in a tube sheet in a channel head of a steam generator having a manway disposed in said head, said apparatus comprising: a column rotatably disposed in said head generally perpendicular to said tube sheet; a boom pivotally mounted on said column; means for rotating said column and said boom therewith; means for pivoting said boom from a position generally parallel to said tube sheet to a position generally aligned with said manway; a carriage disposed to ride lengthwise along said boom; a tool operative on a tube; a tool holder pivotally disposed on said carriage so as to axially align said tool with the axis of a tube and to allow rotation of the tool and tool holder so that they fit through the manway; means for moving said tool axially; and two pairs of cylinders cooperatively associated with two clamps, one cylinder in each pair operating the associated clamp to clamp said boom or release it and the other cylinder in each pair being utilized to move said carriage with respect to the associated clamp, whereby said carriage is affixed to or moved along said boom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for remotely repairing tubes disposed in a tube sheet in a channel head of a steam generator having a manway disposed in said head, said apparatus comprising: a column rotatably disposed in said head generally perpendicular to said tube sheet; a boom pivotally mounted on said column; means for rotating said column and said boom therewith; means for pivoting said boom from a position generally parallel to said tube sheet to a position generally aligned with said manway; a carriage disposed to ride lengthwise along said boom; a tool operative on a tube; a tool holder pivotally disposed on said carriage so as to axially align said tool with the axis of a tube and to allow rotation of the tool and tool holder so that they fit through the manway; means for moving said tool axially; and two pairs of cylinders cooperatively associated with two clamps, one cylinder in each pair operating the associated clamp to clamp said boom or release it and the other cylinder in each pair being utilized to move said carriage with respect to the associated clamp, whereby said carriage is affixed to or moved along said boom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising means for affixing the position of the boom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising means for indicating the angular position of the column and boom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising means for indicating the position of the carriage lengthwise along the boom, whereby the tool may be changed and easily and quickly returned to the proper tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising a closed circuit TV wherein the carmera is mounted on the carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tool is a pneumatic hammer and welding torch, whereby it can drive a plug into a tube and form a sealed well therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for affixing the position of the boom is a cylinder attached to the boom and the cylinder has a piston rod which extends outwardly to contact the channel head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the column is removably mounted in the head, whereby generally the whole apparatus can be easily removed from the head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2482490A
Cited
US3203479A
Cited
US3275795A
Cited
US3740820A
Cited
US3934731A
Cited
US3913752A
Cited
US3927295A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-12 | 1984-02-11 | 1984-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-12 | 1988-02-11 | 1988-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-12 | 1992-02-11 | 1992-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |