Method for handling equipment
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorEdward L. Wrobel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for moving equipment wherein a first chain which is free to bend in only one direction and a second chain which is free to bend in only one direction are positioned adjacent each other so that the two bend directions are opposed one another to form a rigid column. The equipment, which may include control rod drive handling equipment for a boiling water reactor, is attached to the rigid column. The equipment may be moved by moving the rigid column through a drive mechanism.
Claims11
Method for moving a control rod drive in a boiling water reactor having an undervessel area, the boiling water reactor being supported by a vessel support structure having an access hole, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first chain adjacent to and contacting a second chain in a manner to form a rigid structure;
- introducing control rod drive handling equipment, including the first and the second chains through the access hole in the vessel support structure;
- attaching the control rod drive handling equipment to the control rod drive;
- and
- moving the first and second chains of the control rod drive handling equipment through a drive mechanism for moving the control rod drive.
A method of moving equipment comprising the steps of:
- providing a first chain having a plurality of links which are free to bend in only one direction;
- providing a second chain having a plurality of links which are free to bend in only one direction;
- positioning at least a portion of said first and second chains adjacent each other in a back to back configuration to form a rigid column wherein the bend direction of said first chain is substantially opposed the bend direction of said second chain;
- attaching said equipment to said rigid column;
- attaching a drive mechanism to said first and said second chains;
- operating said drive mechanism to move said rigid column and said equipment.
A method for creating an extendable rigid column comprising the steps of:
- providing a first chain having a plurality of links which are free to bend in only one direction;
- providing a second chain having a plurality of links which are free to bend in only one direction;
- attaching a drive mechanism to said first and second chains;
- operating said drive mechanism to position a link of said first chain and a link of said second chain into a back to back configuration thereby providing a rigid column;
- continuing to operate said drive mechanism to extend the length of said rigid column.
A process comprising the steps of:
- providing a first chain which is free to bend in a single first direction;
- providing a second chain which is free to bend in a single second direction;
- positioning at least a portion of said first and said second chains adjacent each other whereby said first bend direction and said second bend direction are in substantial opposition thereby forming a rigid assembly;
- attaching equipment to said rigid assembly.
A process comprising the steps of:
- providing a first means for linking which is free to bend in a single first direction;
- providing a second means for linking which is free to bend in a single second direction;
- positioning at least a portion of said first and said second means for linking adjacent each other whereby said first bend direction and said second bend direction are in substantial opposition thereby forming a rigid assembly;
- attaching equipment to said rigid assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.