Interconnectors, interconnector assemblies, and methods for supporting components are provided. An interconnector as disclosed connects a supported component to another component or assembly securely and accurately, even where the supported component and the other component have different expansion or contraction characteristics. The interconnector includes a plurality of support elements disposed in an array. Each support element includes a support surface at a free end of the support element. The areas of the support surfaces decrease with distance from a center of the array. In a completed assembly, the free ends of the support elements in the array are joined to the supported component.

A component assembly includes a first component, such as an optical component, and a second component, such as a support component, having different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The component assembly also includes a spacer having a CTE matched to that of the first component, disposed between the first component and the second component. When the CTE of the first component is greater than that of the second component, the second component includes a protrusion, and the spacer includes a complementary opening for receiving the protrusion, such that a joint between the protrusion and the complementary opening is under compressive stress. The spacer also includes a mounting area for receiving the first component, and an air gap disposed between the first component and the protrusion.

A component assembly includes a first component, such as an optical component, and a second component, such as a support component, having different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The component assembly also includes a spacer having a CTE matched to that of the first component, disposed between the first component and the second component. When the CTE of the first component is greater than that of the second component, the second component includes a protrusion, and the spacer includes a complementary opening for receiving the protrusion, such that a joint between the protrusion and the complementary opening is under compressive stress. The spacer also includes a mounting area for receiving the first component, and an air gap disposed between the first component and the protrusion.

An assembly includes a first mold component defining a first portion of a mold cavity and a first slot. The first slot corresponds to a first portion of a retention channel. The assembly also includes a second mold component defining a second portion of the mold cavity and a second slot. The second slot corresponds to a second portion of the retention channel. The assembly also includes a connector having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the retention channel. The connector has thermal expansion characteristics that are different from thermal expansion characteristics of the first and second mold components such that when the first and second mold components are in contact and the connector is inserted into the retention channel, heating the assembly causes differential thermal expansion of the connector and the mold components resulting in a clamping force between the mold components.

Interconnectors, interconnector assemblies, and methods for supporting components are provided. An interconnector as disclosed connects a supported component to another component or assembly securely and accurately, even where the supported component and the other component have different expansion or contraction characteristics. The interconnector includes a plurality of support elements disposed in an array. Each support element includes a support surface at a free end of the support element. The areas of the support surfaces decrease with distance from a center of the array. In a completed assembly, the free ends of the support elements in the array are joined to the supported component.

An apparatus configured to structurally replace a cracked weld in a nuclear plant may include: a first body portion that includes a first gripping portion; a second body portion that includes a second gripping portion; a wedge portion between the first and second body portions; and/or an adjustment portion. The first body portion may be configured to slidably engage the second body portion. The wedge portion may be configured to exert force on the slidably engaged first and second body portions. The adjustment portion may be configured to increase or decrease the force exerted by the wedge portion on the slidably engaged first and second body portions. When the adjustment portion increases the force exerted by the wedge portion on the slidably engaged first and second body portions, a distance between the first and second gripping portions may decrease.

Interconnection systems and methods are provided. An interconnector as disclosed allows for a first component having a first coefficient of thermal expansion to be joined to a second component having a second coefficient of thermal expansion securely, and while maintaining a precise alignment between the components. The interconnector generally includes a plurality of pins that each have a free end that is adhered to the first component for imaging, sensing, tracking, processing, and other applications.

A nut runner apparatus for screw-coupling a nut to a bolt, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes a nut socket into which the nut is removably inserted, a heating device that heats the nut to thermally expand the nut, an actuating device that rotates the nut socket to screw-couple the nut thermally expanded by the heating device to the bolt, and a cooling device that cools the nut screw-coupled to the bolt to thermally contract the nut.

A connection system for a hot gas-conducting annular duct of a turbine intermediate casing of a gas turbine includes a first housing element, a second housing element situated next to the first housing element in the circumferential direction, and a fastening unit configured for connecting the first housing element and the second housing element to one another at edges adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, the fastening unit including a clamping element which is mounted on the one housing element with the aid of a connection, the clamping element resting on a clamping surface provided on the other housing element in such a way that the other housing element is accommodated between the clamping element and the one housing element. It is provided that the top side of the clamping surface facing the clamping element has a clamping surface contour relative to a longitudinal section which extends along, in particular essentially in parallel to the adjacent edges of the two housing elements which is designed in such a way that it thwarts a rotation of the clamping element about an axis of the connection.

A nozzle support system for a nozzle of a gas turbine includes an outer ring, an inner ring disposed within the outer ring, and a plurality of links pivotally attaching the outer ring to the inner ring. Each one of the links may have an outer end that is pivotally attached to the outer ring, and each one of the links may have an inner end that is pivotally attached to the inner ring, such that the inner ring moves along a longitudinal axis of the outer ring.