Patent US4334554A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4334554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable orifice
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
•
Filing: 1980-08-20
•
Granted: 1982-06-15
•
Expires: 2000-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Orifices which are removably attached to individual tubes of a steam generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter R. Geiger
- 👤 Boyd A. Kessinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:27
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/026; F28F9/0282; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/62; F22B37/70; F22B37/74; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A removable orifice for a tube having a circumferential groove in its outer surface, said orifice comprising: an orifice block having an orifice disposed therein and having an outer diameter generally equal to the outer diameter of the tube surface; a skirt extending from one side of the orifice block and fitting inside said tube; and a continuous sleeve having a counterbore which fits over the outer diameter of said orifice block, the counterbore end of said sleeve extending beyond the outer edge of said circumferential groove and said sleeve being bent at a plurality of locations so as to engage said groove, said bent positions being the only fasteners utilized to hold said orifice adjacent said tube, whereby said sleeve and orifice may be quickly removed by pulling on the orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A removable orifice for a tube having a circumferential groove in its outer surface, said orifice comprising: an orifice block having an orifice disposed therein and having an outer diameter generally equal to the outer diameter of the tube surface; a skirt extending from one side of the orifice block and fitting inside said tube; and a continuous sleeve having a counterbore which fits over the outer diameter of said orifice block, the counterbore end of said sleeve extending beyond the outer edge of said circumferential groove and said sleeve being bent at a plurality of locations so as to engage said groove, said bent positions being the only fasteners utilized to hold said orifice adjacent said tube, whereby said sleeve and orifice may be quickly removed by pulling on the orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A removable orifice as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a tubular collar extending from the other side of said orifice block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A removable orifice as set forth in claim 2 wherein said collar has a plurality of holes in the tubular portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A removable orifice as set forth in claim 1, wherein the orifice is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the skirt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A removable orifice as set forth in claim 3, wherein the orifice, skirt and collar are aligned on a common longitudinal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-14 | 1985-12-14 | 1986-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-12-14 | 1990-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-14 | 1993-12-14 | 1994-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |