Patent classifications
G21C15/25
Ultrasonic phased array transducer for the NDE inspection of the jet pump riser welds and welded attachments
An ultrasonic phased array transducer assembly having a single housing in which a plurality of phased array transducer subassemblies are mounted at a skewed angle relative to a leading face of the housing and to each other, with each transducer mounted on composite wedge(s) at different orientations within the housing.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A JET PUMP SLIP JOINT
A jet pump slip joint repair assembly includes at least one clamp and a bushing configured to be inserted in a bore of a diffuser and to surround a portion of an inlet mixer. The clamp includes a gripping surface and a gripping collar. The bushing includes a generally cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall configured to surround the portion of the inlet mixer, a grooved flange on an upper surface of the sidewall, at least one cutout between adjacent portions of the grooved flange, and a groove on an inner, bottom surface of the sidewall. The assembly also includes a seal in the groove. The seal is flexible and formed of a metallic material. The seal is configured to be compressed when the at least one clamp engages the bushing.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A JET PUMP SLIP JOINT
A jet pump slip joint repair assembly includes at least one clamp and a bushing configured to be inserted in a bore of a diffuser and to surround a portion of an inlet mixer. The clamp includes a gripping surface and a gripping collar. The bushing includes a generally cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall configured to surround the portion of the inlet mixer, a grooved flange on an upper surface of the sidewall, at least one cutout between adjacent portions of the grooved flange, and a groove on an inner, bottom surface of the sidewall. The assembly also includes a seal in the groove. The seal is flexible and formed of a metallic material. The seal is configured to be compressed when the at least one clamp engages the bushing.
Use of isolation condenser and/or feedwater to limit core flow, core power, and pressure in a boiling water reactor
A method and apparatus of limiting power of a boiling water nuclear reactor system includes a reactor pressure vessel, a reactor core disposed in the reactor pressure vessel, a core shroud surrounding the reactor core, a downcomer region disposed between an inner surface of the reactor pressure vessel and the core shroud, a steam line connected to an upper end of the reactor pressure vessel and a condenser system that receives steam from the reactor pressure vessel. A portion of the condenser system condensate is returned to the reactor pressure vessel of the boiling water reactor inside the core barrel above the core rather than into the downcomer. Returning the condensate in this way increases the effectiveness of an isolation condenser system or if the condensate is a portion of the feedwater from the main condenser it provides an effective means to regulate core flow and core power.
Method and apparatus for repairing a jet pump slip joint
A jet pump slip joint repair assembly includes at least one clamp and a bushing configured to be inserted in a bore of a diffuser and to surround a portion of an inlet mixer. The clamp includes a gripping surface and a gripping collar. The bushing includes a generally cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall configured to surround the portion of the inlet mixer, a grooved flange on an upper surface of the sidewall, at least one cutout between adjacent portions of the grooved flange, and a groove on an inner, bottom surface of the sidewall. The assembly also includes a seal in the groove. The seal is flexible and formed of a metallic material. The seal is configured to be compressed when the at least one clamp engages the bushing.
Method and apparatus for repairing a jet pump slip joint
A jet pump slip joint repair assembly includes at least one clamp and a bushing configured to be inserted in a bore of a diffuser and to surround a portion of an inlet mixer. The clamp includes a gripping surface and a gripping collar. The bushing includes a generally cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall configured to surround the portion of the inlet mixer, a grooved flange on an upper surface of the sidewall, at least one cutout between adjacent portions of the grooved flange, and a groove on an inner, bottom surface of the sidewall. The assembly also includes a seal in the groove. The seal is flexible and formed of a metallic material. The seal is configured to be compressed when the at least one clamp engages the bushing.
Sealing device for jet pump slip joints
A sealing device for a jet pump of a boiling water reactor is provided. The jet pump includes an inlet mixer and a diffuser receiving the inlet mixer at a slip joint such that an outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer is received in an inner circumferential surface of the diffuser at the slip joint. The diffuser includes a plurality of guiding fins, each guiding fin including a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface and lateral surfaces extending radially between the inner and outer surfaces. The sealing device includes a seal configured for sealingly contacting the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer and a collar configured for holding the seal against the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer. The collar includes portions configured for being received radially between the radially inner surfaces of the guiding fins and the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer. The sealing device further includes a clamp configured for contacting the radially outer surfaces of the guiding fins to axially clamp the guiding fins. A method of mounting a sealing device onto a slip joint of a jet pump of a boiling water reactor is also provided.
Sealing device for jet pump slip joints
A sealing device for a jet pump of a boiling water reactor is provided. The jet pump includes an inlet mixer and a diffuser receiving the inlet mixer at a slip joint such that an outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer is received in an inner circumferential surface of the diffuser at the slip joint. The diffuser includes a plurality of guiding fins, each guiding fin including a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface and lateral surfaces extending radially between the inner and outer surfaces. The sealing device includes a seal configured for sealingly contacting the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer and a collar configured for holding the seal against the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer. The collar includes portions configured for being received radially between the radially inner surfaces of the guiding fins and the outer circumferential surface of the inlet mixer. The sealing device further includes a clamp configured for contacting the radially outer surfaces of the guiding fins to axially clamp the guiding fins. A method of mounting a sealing device onto a slip joint of a jet pump of a boiling water reactor is also provided.
Dual-mode heat removal system that allows first direction natural circulation flow through a heat exchanger during nuclear reactor emergency cooling and allows opposite direction forced flow through the heat exchanger during decay heat removal
Piping loops can carry either forced or natural circulation coolant flow from and back to a nuclear reactor depending on reactor and coolant state, and can transition between the two. The loop flows into a heat exchanger that cools the coolant and may even condense the coolant. The heat exchanger can drive natural circulation coolant flow, and a pump on the loop can drive forced circulation. Coolant direction may be reversed through the heat exchanger in different modes. Loops may be installed directly on existing isolation condenser systems or come off of a primary loop generating electricity commercially. Actuation valves may isolate and actuate the system merely by disallowing or allowing coolant flow. Different flow modes and coolant direction may be similarly achieved by pump actuation and/or valve opening/closing. Beyond the pump and simple valve actuation, loops may be entirely passive.
Jet Pump Clamps and Methods for use in a Nuclear Reactor Jet Pump
Jet pump clamps fit to modified jet pump assemblies at the riser pipe-restrainer bracket junction. The clamp can secure the restrainer bracket and riser pipe, relieving any welds between the same stress in the same, while preventing the restrainer bracket from moving. The clamp may include multiple members on either side of the restrainer bracket that fit into surfaces of the riser pipe. When these members are drawn together through clamping action, the underlying riser pipe is compressed. Similarly, vertically-adjustable members may seat into and/or through the restrainer bracket to hold the bracket steady. Jet pump assemblies may be prepared by forming grooves in the riser pipe and hole(s) in the restrainer bracket(s) and spherical indentations about the same. Clamps may then be installed on the grooves and through the hole(s) at installation or during a maintenance outage in a commercial nuclear power plant.