Deployment system for an upper bundle steam generator cleaning/inspection device

A system for inspecting or cleaning the upper bundles of a steam generator, the system comprising:

• a deployment system including an elongated body feedable substantially horizontally through a lower access in a steam generator shell proximate the tube sheet of the steam generator, said elongated body flexible in one configuration to bend into a position for extension vertically up through the flow slots in support plates of the interior of the steam generator and structured and arranged to be rigid and not bend in any direction when vertically disposed for positioning and supporting cleaning/inspection devices up through the steam generator proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator;
• a head attached to a distal end of the elongated body which extends substantially horizontally from the distal end of the elongated body when the elongated body is extended vertically and the distal end thereof is proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator;
• means for guiding the elongated body to bend from the substantially horizontal orientation to the rigid vertical position;
• and
• means for driving said elongated body vertically up through said support plates and also for retracting said elongated body back down through said support plates.

A system for inspecting or cleaning the upper bundles of a steam generator, the system comprising:

• a deployment system including an elongated body feedable substantially horizontally through a lower access in a steam generator shell proximate the tube sheet of the steam generator, said elongated body flexible in one configuration to bend into a position for extension vertically up through the flow slots in support plates of the interior of the steam generator and structured and arranged to be rigid and not bend in any direction when vertically disposed for positioning and supporting cleaning/inspection devices up through the steam generator proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator,
• a head attached to a distal end of the elongated body which extends substantially horizontally from the distal end of the elongated body when the elongated body is extended vertically and the distal end thereof is proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator;
• and
• means for driving said elongated body vertically up through said support plates and also for retracting said elongated body back down through said support plates.

A system for inspecting or cleaning the upper bundles of a steam generator, the system comprising:

• a deployment system including an elongated body feedable substantially horizontally through a lower access in a steam generator shell proximate the tube sheet of the steam generator, said elongated body flexible in one configuration to bend into a position for extension vertically up through the flow slots in support plates of the interior of the steam generator and structured and arranged to be rigid and not bend in any direction when vertically disposed for positioning and supporting cleaning/inspection devices up through the steam generator proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator;
• a head attached to a distal end of the elongated body which extends substantially horizontally from the distal end of the elongated body when the elongated body is extended vertically and the distal end thereof is proximate the upper tube bundles of the steam generator;
• and
• means for guiding the elongated body to bend from the substantially horizontal orientation to the rigid vertical position.

A deployment system for an upper bundle steam generator cleaning/inspection device, said deployment system comprising:

• a first rigid chain free to bend in only one direction and including a number of links, each pivotable with respect to an adjacent link when in a non-vertical configuration for bending into a position for travel up through the interior of the steam generator;
• and
• a second rigid chain free to bend only in a direction opposite the first rigid chain and including a number of links, each pivotable with respect to an adjacent link when in a non-vertical configuration for bending into a position for travel up through the interior of the steam generator;
• wherein the first and second rigid chains are placed back-to-back to form a rigid structure when vertically disposed for positioning and supporting cleaning/inspection devices up through the interior of the steam generator.