US4409466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacture of a hoop for the vessel of a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Areva NP SAS
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Filing: 1981-09-30
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Granted: 1983-10-11
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Expires: 2001-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a hoop for a nuclear reactor vessel, equipped internally with projecting guide blocks serving for the guidance of the internal equipment. The method consists in coating an outer cylindrical hoop (1) of low-alloy steel internally with a thin plating (2) of stainless steel and in attaching supporting blocks (3) to the inside of this hoop, leaving bare an area of low-alloy steel of the hoop surrounded by the stainless steel plating (2), depositing on this hollowed area by arc welding a plating (34) of nickel-base alloy of Inconel type until a profile is obtained which projects with respect to the plating (2) of stainless steel, machining this plating (34) and then arc welding thereto a separate piece (35) of nickel-base alloy of Inconel type with addition of nickel alloy of Inconel type deposited in a groove (4) formed between the plating (34) and the separate piece (35).
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Commeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:35
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C5/00; G21C5/02; G21C5/10; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; B; B23; B23K; B23K33/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of manufacturing a hoop for a nuclear reactor vessel, equipped internally with projecting guide blocks of nickel-base alloy, formed of an outer cylindrical hoop (1) of low-alloy steel coated internally with a thin plating (2) of stainless steel, comprising the steps of (a) internally coating said hoop (1) with a thin stainless steel plating (2); (b) attaching supporting blocks (3) to the interior of said hoop (1), leaving bare an area of low-alloy steel of said hoop surrounded by said stainless steel plating (2); (c) depositing on said area by arc welding a plating (34) of nickel-base alloy until a profile is obtained which projects with respect to said stainless steel plating (2); (d) machining said nickel-based alloy plating (34) and then welding thereto a separate piece (35) of nickel-base alloy by arc welding with addition of nickel alloy deposited in a groove (4) formed between said nickel-base alloy plating (34) and said separate piece (35).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of manufacturing a hoop for a nuclear reactor vessel, equipped internally with projecting guide blocks of nickel-base alloy, formed of an outer cylindrical hoop (1) of low-alloy steel coated internally with a thin plating (2) of stainless steel, comprising the steps of (a) internally coating said hoop (1) with a thin stainless steel plating (2); (b) attaching supporting blocks (3) to the interior of said hoop (1), leaving bare an area of low-alloy steel of said hoop surrounded by said stainless steel plating (2); (c) depositing on said area by arc welding a plating (34) of nickel-base alloy until a profile is obtained which projects with respect to said stainless steel plating (2); (d) machining said nickel-based alloy plating (34) and then welding thereto a separate piece (35) of nickel-base alloy by arc welding with addition of nickel alloy deposited in a groove (4) formed between said nickel-base alloy plating (34) and said separate piece (35).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said nickel-alloy base is deposited in successive layers of ribbon under electrically conductive flux.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of interposing a fusible ring (37) of nickel alloy in the plane of join between said nickel alloy plating (34) and said separate piece (35), before depositing a weld bead (36) in the bottom of said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said separate piece is positioned above said plating of nickel-base alloy plating (34) when said hoop is horizontal, a weld bead is deposited in the bottom of said groove, and said hoop is then inverted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said groove (4) has a U-shaped cross-section.
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) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |