Flow restricting slip joint clamps and methods for use in a nuclear reactor jet pump

US11538598B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC · US

Inventors

• Hampton W. Lane · Wilmington, US
• Bret E. Nelson · Wilmington, US
• Brandon J. Schoonmaker · Wilmington, US
• Lee J. Andre · Wilmington, US
• Hugo P. Rooney · Wilmington, US
• David James Bell · Folsom, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 2018
• Grant date: Dec 27, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Clamps can be secured to a slip joint and limit flow through the same by seating on a diffuser axially regardless of wear and damage in the slip joint. An extension from the clamp seats to the inlet mixer. These extensions can be adjusted from outside the clamp to achieve an individual preload or flow limitation through the slip joint. The extension may be an O-ring or other shape. A biasing drive may connect to and move the extension from an outside surface of the clamp. The biasing drive may include a threaded cap in an outer groove that is linked to a plunger via a spring. Clamps are fabricated of materials that maintain their physical properties when exposed to an operating nuclear reactor environment and may be relatively rigid and resilient metals.