Patent classifications
G21C17/01
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN MAIN PIPES CONNECTED TO BRANCH CONDUIT
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN MAIN PIPES CONNECTED TO BRANCH CONDUIT
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
Methods, systems, and apparatus for use in main pipes connected to branch conduit
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
Methods, systems, and apparatus for use in main pipes connected to branch conduit
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
Methods, systems, and apparatus for use in main pipes connected to branch conduit
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
Methods, systems, and apparatus for use in main pipes connected to branch conduit
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER INSPECTION AND MEASUREMENTS
Described herein are methods and systems for improved inspection, measurements, monitoring, and tracking of equipment installed underwater. They include structures or equipment installed in a nuclear reactor and fuel storage pools. This includes, but is not limited to an entire nuclear reactor pool, an entire nuclear reactor, fuel assemblies, fuel assembly identification numbers, core barrels, core plates, lower internals, upper internals, fuel transfer systems, alignment pins, baffle walls, former baffle assemblies, vessels, instrument ports, coolant tubes, spent fuel pools, dry cask storage areas, weir gates, steam dryers, steam separators, top guides, jet pumps, inside and outside of pipes, and weld seams. The described methods and devices increase the performance and integrity of the inspection and measurements during nuclear refuel, inspection or outage activities. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (including laser systems) for underwater equipment inspection, measurements, maintenance, monitoring, tracking and servicing.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER INSPECTION AND MEASUREMENTS
Described herein are methods and systems for improved inspection, measurements, monitoring, and tracking of equipment installed underwater. They include structures or equipment installed in a nuclear reactor and fuel storage pools. This includes, but is not limited to an entire nuclear reactor pool, an entire nuclear reactor, fuel assemblies, fuel assembly identification numbers, core barrels, core plates, lower internals, upper internals, fuel transfer systems, alignment pins, baffle walls, former baffle assemblies, vessels, instrument ports, coolant tubes, spent fuel pools, dry cask storage areas, weir gates, steam dryers, steam separators, top guides, jet pumps, inside and outside of pipes, and weld seams. The described methods and devices increase the performance and integrity of the inspection and measurements during nuclear refuel, inspection or outage activities. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (including laser systems) for underwater equipment inspection, measurements, maintenance, monitoring, tracking and servicing.
METHOD FOR INSPECTING CORE SHROUD USING REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE (ROV)
The method includes installing a system for inspecting the core shroud on the core shroud, driving the system horizontally around the core shroud, and using a sensor of the system to inspect the core shroud, where the system includes a trolley, an arm, a tether, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting the core shroud. The ROV includes a body configured to be operatively connected to the tether, and the sensor is configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the core shroud. The arm is configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV is configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether, and the tether is configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface of the core shroud.
METHOD FOR INSPECTING CORE SHROUD USING REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE (ROV)
The method includes installing a system for inspecting the core shroud on the core shroud, driving the system horizontally around the core shroud, and using a sensor of the system to inspect the core shroud, where the system includes a trolley, an arm, a tether, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting the core shroud. The ROV includes a body configured to be operatively connected to the tether, and the sensor is configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the core shroud. The arm is configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV is configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether, and the tether is configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface of the core shroud.