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AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorJeffrey D. Bein
Estimating the term…
A steam generator wrapper barrel/tube support plate connection assembly and method for assembling same which prevents interference due to thermal interaction between a wrapper barrel with a first coefficient to thermal expansion and a tube support plate with a second, relatively higher coefficient of thermal expansion. Interference is prevented by radially tuning the wrapper barrel, i.e., locally introducing preload via increased stud thread engagement in the jacking assembly to deform the wrapper barrel during assembly. During subsequent heat-up and operation the preload is relieved through outer shell expansion. In addition, heat and/or pressure dissolvable-surfaced or spring-surfaced shims or wedges are fit between the wrapper barrel and the tube support plate to further compensate for tube support plate thermal expansion.
A method for assembling a plurality of wrapper barrel/tube support plate connection assembies, each including a jacking assembly with a jacking block and a jacking stud, into a steam generator outer shell, comprising the steps of:
The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of:
A steam generator wrapper barrel/tube support plate connection assembly, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.