Patent · US Expired

In-situ test probe for reactor tube rib plugs

US6373914B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
8References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 5, 2000
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 5, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An in-situ testing apparatus for testing the integrity of rib plugs used to seal faulty reactor boiler tubes consists of a cup-shaped member with a groove on the open end, a tapped hole for attaching a hydraulic hose of known pressure, and a hole through the top of the member. A seal is installed in the groove on the open end of the cup to seal to the primary face of a tubesheet around the tested rib plug. A threaded mandrel goes through the hole in the top of the cup-shaped member and engages the expander member of the rib plug. The threading action of the mandrel into the expander draws the seal against the tubesheet to seal the testing apparatus and allows the rib plug to be in-situ pressure tested.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.