Apparatus and method for baffle bolt repair
OwnerBenjamin D. Fisher, Jeff D. Gilreath +1inventors
InventorsBenjamin D. Fisher, Jeff D. Gilreath, Thomas A. Pritchett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bolt repair platform includes a frame and a tool module. The tool module includes a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt. The tool module also includes an actuator disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame. The frame is removably disposed on the structure, and the tool is movable with respect to the frame, so that, at each of a plurality of positions, the second end of the tool is capable of engagement with a respective bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel.
Claims55
A bolt repair platform for repairing a bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel, comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a tool module comprising
- a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt and a second end,
- a motor-driven rotary driver movably mounted on the frame, wherein the rotary driver defines a distal end thereof that is configured to retain the second end of the tool so that, when actuated, the rotary driver rotationally drives the tool, and
- an actuator operatively disposed between the rotary driver and the frame so that actuation of the actuator moves the rotary driver among a plurality of positions of the rotary driver with respect to the frame,
- wherein the frame is removably disposed on the structure, and the rotary driver is movable with respect to the frame so that, at each of the plurality of positions of the rotary driver, the second end of the tool is capable of engagement with a respective bolt disposed in the structure.
A method for repairing a bolt disposed in an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel, comprising the steps of:
- providing a bolt repair platform comprising
- a frame,
- a motor-driven rotary driver movably mounted on the frame among a plurality of positions of the rotary driver with respect to the frame, and
- a tool having a first end configured to rotationally engage a bolt and a second end,
- wherein the rotary driver defines a distal end thereof that is configured to retain the second end of the tool so that, when actuated, the rotary driver rotationally drives the tool,
- disposing the frame removably on the structure;
- and
- moving the rotary driver with respect to the frame and actuating the rotary driver so that, at each of the plurality of positions of the rotary driver, the second end of the tool engages a respective bolt disposed in the structure.
A method of repairing bolts disposed in baffle plates forming an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel, comprising the steps of:
- providing a frame adjacent one or more said baffle plates;
- providing a tool movably on the frame, the tool having an end configured to engage a said bolt;
- providing a first actuator operatively disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the first actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame;
- actuating the first actuator to move the tool with respect to the frame to a position proximate a first bolt disposed in a baffle plate of the one or more baffle plates;
- and
- moving at least one of the frame and the tool with respect to the baffle plate so that the end of the tool engages the first bolt.
A system for repairing bolts disposed in baffle plates forming an internal support structure of a nuclear reactor vessel, comprising:
- a frame disposed adjacent one or more said baffle plates;
- a tool disposed movably on the frame, the tool having an end configured to engage a said bolt;
- and
- a first actuator operatively disposed between the tool and the frame so that actuation of the first actuator moves the tool with respect to the frame,
- wherein the frame and the tool are disposed with respect to a baffle plate of the one or more baffle plates so that, upon actuating the first actuator to move the tool with respect to the frame to a position proximate a first bolt disposed in the baffle plate, movement of at least one of the frame and the tool with respect to the baffle plate engages the tool with the first bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.