Michael Carl Bowen

US Patent:

6466637, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871222

Inventors:

Michael Bowen - Kennewick WA
Leonard Van Swam - Richland WA

Assignee:

Framatome ANP Inc. - Lynchburg VA

International Classification:

G21C 1942

US Classification:

376310, 376313, 7386323, 7386441

Abstract:

A CRUD collection system for removing deposits from a nuclear reactor fuel rod submerged in pool water. The system includes a sealable collection head for containing a portion of the fuel rod. The collection head includes at least one seal positioned to receive the fuel rod. Also provided is a liquid inlet communicating with an interior portion of the collection head, the inlet is configured to inject a liquid into the interior to displace the pool water therefrom. At least one blade is provided that is positionable in scraping engagement with the fuel rod. Also included is a liquid outlet for eliminating a CRUD sample and the liquid to a filter.

US Patent:

6523412, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Jun 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/604870

Inventors:

Richard G. McClelland - Richland WA
Michael D. Bowen - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

Framatome ANP Inc. - Lynchburg VA

International Classification:

G01N 924

US Classification:

73634, 73620, 73633, 73644, 376245

Abstract:

The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for inspecting spring hold down bolts of an upper tie plate of a fuel rod assembly in a nuclear reactor and includes an inspection fixture adapted to be aligned with the upper tie plate of the nuclear reactor fuel rod assembly for placement into a position for rapid and easy insitu inspection of the hold down bolts of the upper tie plate. The fixture is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are positioned on the fixture so that when the fixture is placed into the inspection position each transducer will be located proximate to one of the hold down bolts for conducting effective ultrasonic scanning of the bolt while the bolt is in place. A multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector is connected to each of the transducers for indicating whether there are any flaws in each of the hold down bolts when the fixture is placed into the inspection position and the ultrasonic transducers are activated. A further feature of the invention is the use of spherically focused transducers for focusing the sound field at the predetermined distance from the head of the bolt in order to facilitate proper scanning of the bolt shank and thread relief, thereby greatly increasing inspection sensitivity.