Patent US2140940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5065703A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5065703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible lance for steam generator secondary side sludge removal
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
•
Filing: 1989-01-27
•
Granted: 1991-11-19
•
Expires: 2009-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A system (10) for lancing sludge deposits (12) from within a bundle (14) of vertically extending steam generator tubes (16) of a PWR steam generator secondary side assembly (18) has a flexible lance (28) mounted in a lance guide/housing transporter (30). The transporter (30) is movable along blowdown lane (20) to position end (32) of the flexible lance opposite one of the inter-tube lanes (26) so that the flexible lance (28) may be inserted along the selected inter-tube lane (26). A rigid lance guide (34) on the transporter (30) has a curved end (36) configured to turn the flexible lance (28) at a chosen angle, such as 90°, so that the flexible lance (28) will be fed into the selected inter-tube lane (26). The transporter has a drive (37) for advancing the flexible lance (28) through end (36) of the lance guide (34) and into the inter-tube lane (26). The flexible lance (28) includes a flexible plastic extrusion (38) with a plurality of hollow, flexible metal conduits (40) within the plastic extrusion (38) to extend lengthwise along the lance (28). The nozzle block (44) has nozzles 48, 50 and 52 so that all portions of the sludge deposits (12) adjacent to the selected inter-tube lane (26) can be reached by the flexible lance (28).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. S. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:14
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28G; F28G15/00; F28G15/04; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/02; F22B37/48; F22B37/483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, a flexible cable extending lengthwise along and being movable within said flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having a curved end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said curved end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through the curved end of said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, a flexible cable extending lengthwise along and being movable within said flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having a curved end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said curved end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through the curved end of said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which said flexible member comprises a sheet-like plastic extrusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 2 in which said plastic extrusion is configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 in which said drive means for driving said flexible lance through the curved end of said rigid guide comprises a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said flexible member, and a means for rotating said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 4 additionally comprising a means for orienting the curved end of said rigid guide relative to the assembly having the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 5 in which said means for orienting comprises a drive connected to rotate said body about an axis extending along said flexible member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 5 in which said transporter includes a plurality of clamps for mounting said transporter for movement along a pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 7 in which said at least one transporter drive means comprises a means for extending a gripper laterally of said body and a means for reciprocating said gripper extending means along said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 8 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery passage extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 in which said at least one transporter drive means comprises a drive wheel rotatably connected to said body and a means coupled to rotate said drive wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 additionally comprising means for positioning said rigid guide curved end with respect to the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
232 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, said drive means for driving said flexible member through the end of said rigid guide comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said flexible member, and a means for rotating said shaft, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, a means for orienting the end of said rigid guide relative to the assembly having the difficult to access geometry, said means for orienting comprising a drive connected to rotate said body about an axis extending along said flexible member.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
232 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, said drive means for driving said flexible member through the end of said rigid guide comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said flexible member, and a means for rotating said shaft, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, a means for orienting the end of said rigid guide relative to the assembly having the difficult to access geometry, said means for orienting comprising a drive connected to rotate said body about an axis extending along said flexible member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 12 additionally comprising a means for positioning said end with respect to the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
166 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, said flexible member comprising separate segments strung on at least one flexible cable which runs the length of the flexible member.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
166 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, said flexible member comprising separate segments strung on at least one flexible cable which runs the length of the flexible member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 14 i which said at least one flexible cable is attached to a nozzle block by at least one stud and at least one high pressure water conduit passes through the segments and the spacers and are connected to at least one water jet on the nozzle block.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 12 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery passage extending lengthwise along and within said flexible means for accessing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 14 additionally comprising a control system for said system, said control system comprising a data processing workstation remote from the difficult to access geometry, said data processing workstation being connected to interfaces for said optical cable, said drive means for driving said flexible member and said transporter drive means, said interfaces being proximate to an access to the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
192 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, said rigid guide being rotatable about a length of said flexible member, said system additionally including a first sensor in said transporter for measuring extension of said flexible lance into the difficult to access geometry and a second sensor for measuring rotation of said rigid guide member.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
192 words
A system comprising, in combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible member, said flexible member being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having an end positioned to turn said flexible member in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible member as said flexible member passes from said rigid guide through said end, a drive means for driving said flexible member through said rigid guide, a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said transporter, said rigid guide being rotatable about a length of said flexible member, said system additionally including a first sensor in said transporter for measuring extension of said flexible lance into the difficult to access geometry and a second sensor for measuring rotation of said rigid guide member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
222 words
In combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, a flexible cable extending lengthwise along and being movably within said flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes, a drive means for said flexible means for accessing, comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said sprocket holes, and a means for rotating said shaft, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible means for accessing, said flexible means for accessing being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having a curved end positioned to turn said flexible means for accessing in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible means for accessing as said flexible means for accessing is driven by said drive means through said curved end and a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
222 words
In combination, a flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member, a flexible cable extending lengthwise along and being movably within said flexible member, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes, a drive means for said flexible means for accessing, comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said sprocket holes, and a means for rotating said shaft, a rigid guide extending lengthwise of said flexible means for accessing, said flexible means for accessing being movably mounted along said rigid guide, said rigid guide having a curved end positioned to turn said flexible means for accessing in a predetermined angle with respect to an extending direction of said flexible means for accessing as said flexible means for accessing is driven by said drive means through said curved end and a transporter for said combination, in which said rigid guide comprises a body of said transporter, and at least one transporter drive means attached to said body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 19 additionally comprising an orienting member movable laterally from said body and positioned to engage a structure positioned adjacent said transporter and opposite said orienting member for tilting said body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 20 in which said transporter includes a plurality of clamps for mounting said transporter for movement along a pipe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 21 in which said at least one transporter drive means comprises a means for extending a gripper laterally of said body and a means for reciprocating said gripper extending means along said body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 22 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery passage extending lengthwise along and through said flexible member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
137 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a plurality of parallel gaps between parallel, extending elements from an access lane which is perpendicular to the parallel gaps, which comprises a substantially planar flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables extending within said planar flexible member through each of said segments, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables in a single plane when said flexible member is flat, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being flexible along a direction normal to the single plane, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the parallel gaps of the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
137 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a plurality of parallel gaps between parallel, extending elements from an access lane which is perpendicular to the parallel gaps, which comprises a substantially planar flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables extending within said planar flexible member through each of said segments, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables in a single plane when said flexible member is flat, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being flexible along a direction normal to the single plane, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the parallel gaps of the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 24 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery line extending lengthwise along and passing through said plurality of segments.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 25 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized liquid delivery line.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 26 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized gas delivery line.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
106 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes defined by spaces between said separate segments.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
106 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes defined by spaces between said separate segments.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination, the flexible means for accessing a difficult to access geometry of claim 28 and a drive means for said flexible means for accessing, comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said sprocket holes, and a means for rotating said shaft.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
120 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a core drill and said at least one flexible cable including a flexible drive cable that is movable within said flexible member and is connected to drive said core drill.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
120 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, and an optical cable extending lengthwise along and within said flexible member, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a core drill and said at least one flexible cable including a flexible drive cable that is movable within said flexible member and is connected to drive said core drill.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
125 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a plurality of parallel gaps between parallel, extending elements from an access lane which is perpendicular to the parallel gaps, which comprises a substantially planar flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables extending within said planar flexible member through each of said segments, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables in a single plane when said flexible member is flat, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being flexible along a direction normal to the single plane, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the parallel gaps of the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
125 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a plurality of parallel gaps between parallel, extending elements from an access lane which is perpendicular to the parallel gaps, which comprises a substantially planar flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables extending within said planar flexible member through each of said segments, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables in a single plane when said flexible member is flat, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being flexible along a direction normal to the single plane, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the parallel gaps of the difficult to access geometry.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 31 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery line extending lengthwise along and passing through said plurality of segments.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 32 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized liquid delivery line.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 33 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized gas delivery line.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
94 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes defined by spaces between said separate segments.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
94 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes defined by spaces between said separate segments.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination, the flexible means for accessing a difficult to access geometry of claim 35 and a drive means for said flexible means for accessing, comprising a plurality of sprockets fixedly attached to a shaft, said plurality of sprockets each having a plurality of teeth positioned to engage said sprocket holes, and a means for rotating said shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
108 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a core drill and said at least one flexible cable including a flexible drive cable that is movable within said flexible member and is connected to drive said core drill.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
108 words
A flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry, which comprises a flexible member comprising a plurality of separate segments strung on at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another, said flexible member being configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry, said flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry including a core drill and said at least one flexible cable including a flexible drive cable that is movable within said flexible member and is connected to drive said core drill.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 14 in which the segments are separated by spacers.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 14 in which said at least one flexible cable comprises at least a pair of flexible cables, said segments extending transversely between said pair of flexible cables, said segments being parallel to one another.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 14 in which said flexible means for accessing includes at least one fluid delivery line extending lengthwise along and passing through said plurality of segments.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 40 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized liquid delivery line.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible means for accessing an assembly having a difficult to access geometry of claim 41 in which said at least one fluid delivery line includes a pressurized gas delivery line.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flexible means for accessing a difficult to access geometry of claim 14 in which said flexible member is configured to be driven into the difficult to access geometry by having a plurality of rows of sprocket holes defined by spaces between said separate segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3676671A
Cited
US3625200A
Cited
US3911750A
Cited
US4286585A
Cited
US4424769A
Cited
US4566843A
Cited
US4638667A
Cited
US4826087A
Cited
US4753223A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-18 | 1995-05-20 | 1995-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-18 | 1999-05-20 | 1999-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-18 | 2003-05-20 | 2003-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |