Core spray sparger t-box clamp assemblies and methods of using thereof
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorGrant C. Jensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Example embodiments are directed to core spray sparger T-box repairs, specifically, to universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps having remote-friendly operation and methods of using universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps. Example embodiment clamps may be secured without welding to a variety of upper and lower sparger T-box configurations. Example embodiment clamps may be configured to simultaneously engage a sparger T-box in multiple dimensions to allow a universal fit. Further, example embodiment clamps may be accessed, installed, or removed by interacting only with a front side of the example embodiment clamps, thus potentially reducing difficulty and cost in remote access repairs to example clamps.
Claims21
A core spray sparger T-box clamp assembly for a sparger T-box in a nuclear reactor, the clamp assembly comprising:
- an anchor plate shaped to substantially align with a cover plate of the T-box;
- a clamp including a plurality of latches mated with the anchor plate, the clamp configured to connect and secure the anchor plate to the T-box via the latches;
- at least one sparger pipe support configured to attach to a sparger pipe adjoining the T-box, the sparger pipe rigidly connected to the anchor plate in at least one dimension;
- and
- a bearing plate extendably attached to the anchor plate, the bearing plate configured to seat against the cover plate of the T-box.
A core spray sparger T-box clamp assembly for a sparger T-box in a nuclear reactor, the clamp assembly comprising:
- an anchor plate shaped to substantially align with a cover plate of the T-box;
- at least one sparger pipe support attached to a sparger pipe adjoining the T-box, the sparger pipe rigidly connected to the anchor plate in at least one dimension;
- a bearing plate extendably attached to the anchor plate, the bearing plate configured to seat against the cover plate of the T-box;
- and
- a clamp including a plurality of latches extending around the anchor plate and the bearing plate, the plurality of latches configured to slide radially inward toward the anchor plate as the clamp is tightened.
14-17. (canceled)
A core spray sparger T-box clamp assembly for a sparger T-box in a nuclear reactor, the clamp assembly comprising:
- an anchor plate;
- at least one sparger pipe support configured to attach to a sparger pipe adjoining the T-box, the sparger pipe support connected to the anchor plate;
- a bearing plate extendably attached to the anchor plate;
- and
- a clamp including a plurality of latches configured to engage with the T-box, the clamp urging the bearing plate against a cover plate of the T-box, the clamp being secured to the T-box by the latches so as to provide the urging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.