A method of sealing an annulus of an electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe structure including introducing a flowable filler material to mold a sealing mass in situ is disclosed. The sealing mass closes a restriction at which the annulus is narrowed radially and embeds at least one heating element that extends generally longitudinally through the restriction. The structure includes an inner ring spaced within an outer ring to define the annulus between the rings. The annulus is narrowed radially by one or more projections that extend radially into the annulus from at least one of the rings toward the other of said rings. The restriction may include multiple bores, each of which may contain a sealing mass around a respective heating element in the bore.

A method of sealing an annulus of an electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe structure including introducing a flowable filler material to mold a sealing mass in situ is disclosed. The sealing mass closes a restriction at which the annulus is narrowed radially and embeds at least one heating element that extends generally longitudinally through the restriction. The structure includes an inner ring spaced within an outer ring to define the annulus between the rings. The annulus is narrowed radially by one or more projections that extend radially into the annulus from at least one of the rings toward the other of said rings. The restriction may include multiple bores, each of which may contain a sealing mass around a respective heating element in the bore.

The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting and/or repositioning annulus spacers used to maintain the position of a pressure tube within a calandria tube of a nuclear reactor. The method comprises the steps of: vibrationally isolating a section of the pressure tube; vibrating the wall of said pressure tube within said isolated section; detecting vibration of the wall at a minimum of two axial positions within said isolated sections; and detecting the reduction in vibration level of the wall at one or more of said axial positions in comparison to the remaining axial positions. The apparatus comprises a tool head to be inserted into the pressure tube, the tool head comprising a first end and a second and a clamping block m each of said ends. The clamping blocks are used to vibrationally isolate a section of the pressure tube located between said ends. The apparatus also comprises piezo-actuators operable to vibrate said pressure tube; and accelerometers used for measuring vibration of said pressure tube.

The invention relates to a system for positioning at least one spacer in a longitudinal pipe having an outer duct and an inner duct mounted in said outer duct, the system including a bracing module configured to maintain a pipe longitudinally along an axis while maintaining positioning clearance between the inner duct and the outer duct, and an insertion module having a pusher member, guided longitudinally along said axis, that is configured to move at least one spacer in the positioning clearance of the longitudinal pipe.

A method of sealing an annulus between inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system includes positioning a sealing mass in the annulus in contact with the inner and outer pipe sections. Deforming the sealing mass occurs, for example by shearing and compression, by effecting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer pipe sections. Fixing the inner and outer pipe sections against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass is then performed. The inner pipe section and a displaced outer pipe section may be fixed by welding them to respective pipes of an adjoining pipe-in-pipe structure. Opposed ramp surfaces, each being similarly inclined relative to the longitudinal direction, extend into the annulus from respective ones of the pipe sections such that the sealing mass may be compressed between the ramp surfaces.

A method of sealing an annulus between inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system includes positioning a sealing mass in the annulus in contact with the inner and outer pipe sections. Deforming the sealing mass occurs, for example by shearing and compression, by effecting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer pipe sections. Fixing the inner and outer pipe sections against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass is then performed. The inner pipe section and a displaced outer pipe section may be fixed by welding them to respective pipes of an adjoining pipe-in-pipe structure. Opposed ramp surfaces, each being similarly inclined relative to the longitudinal direction, extend into the annulus from respective ones of the pipe sections such that the sealing mass may be compressed between the ramp surfaces.

A separation duct for encompassing an elongate member. The duct includes longitudinal internal spacers extend longitudinally in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the duct. A longitudinal plane for each spacer is substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane of the other spacers. The spacers support the elongate member and resist slippage of the duct relative to the elongate member. The duct may be used to provide separation and protection for elongate members of a range of outside dimensions.

A separation duct for encompassing an elongate member. The duct includes longitudinal internal spacers extend longitudinally in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the duct. A longitudinal plane for each spacer is substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane of the other spacers. The spacers support the elongate member and resist slippage of the duct relative to the elongate member. The duct may be used to provide separation and protection for elongate members of a range of outside dimensions.

An edge protection bushing 106 with integrated clamp 208 is disclosed. The bushing 106 includes a tail end 202 for attachment to a heat protection tube and a head end 206 for accepting a cable protection hose. A clamp 208 is positioned adjacent the head end 206 and held in place by one or more breakable tabs 214 designed to break when pressure is applied to push the clamp 208 towards the head end 206. As the clamp 208 is pressed towards the head end 206, a locking mechanism 210, 212 secures the clamp 208 in place to secure the cable protection hose between the clamp 208 and the head end 206.

An edge protection bushing 106 with integrated clamp 208 is disclosed. The bushing 106 includes a tail end 202 for attachment to a heat protection tube and a head end 206 for accepting a cable protection hose. A clamp 208 is positioned adjacent the head end 206 and held in place by one or more breakable tabs 214 designed to break when pressure is applied to push the clamp 208 towards the head end 206. As the clamp 208 is pressed towards the head end 206, a locking mechanism 210, 212 secures the clamp 208 in place to secure the cable protection hose between the clamp 208 and the head end 206.