Search and retrieval device

Patent · Tue Oct 27 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5983928

Klug, R W; Toler, C E; Rylatt, J A

A device is described for searching and retrieving objects in a steam generator having an outer cylindrical shell, a horizontal tube sheet adjacent the lower end of the shell, a bundle of vertical tubes supported by the tube sheet, a wrapper barrel surrounding the tubes extending from the upper portion of the shell downwardly to a predetermined point above the tube sheet to form an annulus inside the shell and an opening through the shell to the annulus. The device comprises (a) a sled adapted to be passed through the shell opening and down the annulus to the tube sheet; (b) a flexible tube connected at one end to the sled and having its other end extending out through the shell opening, the flexible tube being of sufficient length to be freely movable into and out of the shell opening to move the sled along the tube sheet; (c) a probe and a gripper associated with the sled for searching and retrieving objects; (d) adjusting means on the sled for changing the operating positions of the probe and the gripper; (e) control means outside of the shell extending through the flexible tube for operating the probe, the gripper and the adjusting means; (f) the control means comprising a probe cable attached to the probe, a gripper shaft attached to the gripper and a rotatable actuator cable connected to the adjusting means, the probe cable and the gripper shaft being slidably received within the flexible tube; and (g) the adjusting means comprising a rotatable turret mounted on the sled and the probe cable and the gripper shaft being slidably connected to the turret.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4702878
• OSTI ID: 5983928
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
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BOILERS
CABLES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
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EQUIPMENT
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MANIPULATORS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
OPERATION
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