METHOD FOR ANNULUS SPACER DETECTION IN NUCLEAR REACTORS

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

APP PUB NO 20160042819A1
SERIAL NO

14827213

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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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.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITEDCHALK RIVER LABORATORIES CHALK RIVER K0J1J0

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
FEENSTRA, Paul Deep River, CA 4 3
KING, James M Deep River, CA 27 251
SMITH, Bruce AW Deep River, CA 4 1

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