Segmented instrumentation tube including a locking sleeve for interlocking the segments of the instrumentation tube

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:869021

Obermeyer, Franklin D ^[1]

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1. Pensacola, FL

Segmented instrumentation tube including a locking sleeve for interlocking the segments of the instrumentation tube, so that the threaded ends of the instrumentation tube do not unthread when subjected to vibration, such an instrumentation tube being suitable for use in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The instrumentation tube has a first member having a threaded end portion that has a plurality of first holes circumferentially around the outside surface thereof. The instrumentation tube also has a second member having a threaded end portion that has a plurality of second holes circumferentially around the outside surface thereof. The threads of the second member are caused to threadably engage the threads of the first member for defining a threaded joint therebetween. A sleeve having an inside surface surrounds the end portion of the first member and the end portion of the second member and thus surrounds the threaded joint. The sleeve includes a plurality of first projections and second projections that outwardly extend from the inside surface to engage the first holes and the second holes, respectively. The outside surface of the sleeve is crimped or swaged at the locations of the first projections and second projections such that the first projections and the second projections engage their respective holes. In this manner, independent rotation of the first member with respect to the second member is prevented, so that the instrumentation tube will not unthread at its threaded joint.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-90SF18495
• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp. (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5263060
• OSTI ID: 869021
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

segmented
instrumentation
tube
including
locking
sleeve
interlocking
segments
threaded
unthread
subjected
vibration
suitable
nuclear
reactor
pressure
vessel
portion
plurality
holes
circumferentially
outside
surface
threads
caused
threadably
engage
defining
joint
therebetween
inside
surrounds
projections
outwardly
extend
respectively
crimped
swaged
locations
respective
manner
independent
rotation
respect
prevented
outside surface
tube including
inside surface
instrumentation tube
reactor pressure
pressure vessel
nuclear reactor
segmented instrumentation
locking sleeve
outwardly extend
threadably engage
joint therebetween
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