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US 12,234,854 B2Granted
Foreign material exclusion plug for structural threads with breakaway tab
AssigneeConsolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
InventorsRobert N. Cole, Kevin P. Shay, Austin L. Renfro
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Abstract
A foreign material exclusion plug is disclosed. The foreign material plug includes a cylindrical body, a slot, and a breakaway tab. The cylindrical body includes an externally-threaded cylindrical structure. The slot is formed in the cylindrical body extending into the cylindrical body from a top surface of the cylindrical body. The breakaway tab is connected to the cylindrical body and extends outwards from the top surface.
Claims4
A method for coupling a foreign material exclusion plug to a structural threaded coupler, comprising:
- providing the structural threaded coupler including an internally threaded portion comprising an internally-threaded cylindrical structure;
- providing the foreign material exclusion plug comprising a cylindrical body comprising an externally-threaded cylindrical structure having a top surface, a slot formed in the top surface of the cylindrical body extending into the cylindrical body, and a breakaway tab removably coupled to the top surface of the cylindrical body and extending outwards from the top surface of the cylindrical body, the breakaway tab being integrally formed with the cylindrical body as a unitary structure, wherein the breakaway tab is oriented such that the breakaway tab crosses over the slot and is integrally connected to the cylindrical body on opposing sides or ends of the slot;
- and
- threading the cylindrical body into the internally threaded portion by applying a force to the breakaway tab such that the foreign material exclusion plug turns relative to the structural threaded coupler.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.