US4374462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decontamination apparatus
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1979-08-02
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Granted: 1983-02-22
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Expires: 1999-08-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for decontaminating radioactive components comprising an attachment mechanism for completely suspending the apparatus from the tube sheet of a nuclear steam generator, a first drive mechanism for moving the apparatus in a first direction, a second drive mechanism for pivoting the apparatus in a second direction, and a third drive mechanism for moving the apparatus in a third independent direction. The apparatus also comprises a dual nozzle arrangement attached to the third drive mechanism for directing a water-grit mixture toward the component to be decontaminated. The apparatus provides a mechanism for remotely decontaminating the channel head of a nuclear steam generator so as to allow working personnel to enter therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Thaddeus A. Wojcik
- 👤 Richard M. Kobuck
- 👤 Ronald F. Antol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:14
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003; G21F9/001; G21F9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
Decontamination apparatus for decontaminating radioactive nuclear steam generators comprising: an attachment mechanism attached to a tube sheet of said nuclear steam generator for completely suspending said decontamination apparatus therefrom; a first support member attached to the under side of said attachment mechanism; a harmonic first drive mechanism attached to said first support member for rotating said decontamination apparatus in a horizontal plane parallel to said tube sheet; a harmonic second drive mechanism attached to said first drive mechanism for rotating said decontamination apparatus in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said tube sheet; a support arm attached to said second drive mechanism; a nozzle support mounted on said support arm; at least two nozzles mounted on said nozzle support and arranged at between approximately 30° to 70° from the center line of said support arm; a chain and sprocket third drive mechanism disposed in said support arm and attached to said nozzle support for moving said nozzle support and said nozzles in a direction along said support arm, said drive mechanisms providing a means of locating said nozzles near the various surfaces of said nuclear steam generator while maintaining said nozzles approximately 6 to 10 inches from said surfaces; and water-grit supply means connected to said nozzles for supplying a water-grit mixture to said nozzles at a pressure between approximately 200 psi and 2700 psi and with said water grit-mixture having a grit concentration of approximately 3% to 7% by weight, said nozzles directing said water-grit mixture toward the surface of said nuclear steam generator and thus decontaminating said nuclear steam generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
Decontamination apparatus for decontaminating radioactive nuclear steam generators comprising: an attachment mechanism attached to a tube sheet of said nuclear steam generator for completely suspending said decontamination apparatus therefrom; a first support member attached to the under side of said attachment mechanism; a harmonic first drive mechanism attached to said first support member for rotating said decontamination apparatus in a horizontal plane parallel to said tube sheet; a harmonic second drive mechanism attached to said first drive mechanism for rotating said decontamination apparatus in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said tube sheet; a support arm attached to said second drive mechanism; a nozzle support mounted on said support arm; at least two nozzles mounted on said nozzle support and arranged at between approximately 30° to 70° from the center line of said support arm; a chain and sprocket third drive mechanism disposed in said support arm and attached to said nozzle support for moving said nozzle support and said nozzles in a direction along said support arm, said drive mechanisms providing a means of locating said nozzles near the various surfaces of said nuclear steam generator while maintaining said nozzles approximately 6 to 10 inches from said surfaces; and water-grit supply means connected to said nozzles for supplying a water-grit mixture to said nozzles at a pressure between approximately 200 psi and 2700 psi and with said water grit-mixture having a grit concentration of approximately 3% to 7% by weight, said nozzles directing said water-grit mixture toward the surface of said nuclear steam generator and thus decontaminating said nuclear steam generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said nozzles are arranged at approximately 45° from the center line of said support arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprises a suction hose disposed in said nuclear steam generator for removing the contaminated products from said component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a support plate having at least four camlocks disposed herein for supporting said support plate from said tube sheet and having a plurality of guide pins disposed thereon for aligning said support plate with said tube sheet.
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) | 1986-02-21 | 1986-08-23 | 1987-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-21 | 1990-08-23 | 1991-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-21 | 1994-08-23 | 1995-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |