Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member
Abstract
Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member, such as an instrumentation tube of the type found in nuclear reactor pressure vessels is disclosed. The instrumentation tube is received in an outer tubular member, such as a guide thimble tube. The vibration dampener comprises an annular sleeve which is attachable to the inside surface of the guide thimble tube and which is sized to surround the instrumentation tube. Dimples are attached to the interior wall of the sleeve for radially supporting the instrumentation tube. The wall of the sleeve has a flexible spring member, which is formed from the wall, disposed opposite the dimples for biasing the instrumentation tube into abutment with the dimples. Flow-induced vibration of the instrumentation tube will cause it to move out of contact with the dimples and further engage the spring member, which will flex a predetermined amount and exert a reactive force against the instrumentation tube to restrain its movement. The amount by which the spring member will flex is less than the unrestrained amplitude of vibration of the instrumentation tube. The reactive force exerted against the instrumentation tube will be sufficient to return it to its original axial position within the thimblemore »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6974482
- Patent Number(s):
- 5357547
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-853556
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-90SF18495
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 18 Mar 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; IN CORE INSTRUMENTS; MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS; DAMPING; DESIGN; FLUID FLOW; GUIDE TUBES; POSITIONING; SUPPORTS; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; REACTOR INSTRUMENTATION; TUBES; 220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems
Citation Formats
Obermeyer, F D, Middlebrooks, W B, and DeMario, E E. Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
Obermeyer, F D, Middlebrooks, W B, & DeMario, E E. Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member. United States.
Obermeyer, F D, Middlebrooks, W B, and DeMario, E E. Tue .
"Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member". United States.
@article{osti_6974482,
title = {Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member},
author = {Obermeyer, F D and Middlebrooks, W B and DeMario, E E},
abstractNote = {Vibration dampener for dampening vibration of a tubular member, such as an instrumentation tube of the type found in nuclear reactor pressure vessels is disclosed. The instrumentation tube is received in an outer tubular member, such as a guide thimble tube. The vibration dampener comprises an annular sleeve which is attachable to the inside surface of the guide thimble tube and which is sized to surround the instrumentation tube. Dimples are attached to the interior wall of the sleeve for radially supporting the instrumentation tube. The wall of the sleeve has a flexible spring member, which is formed from the wall, disposed opposite the dimples for biasing the instrumentation tube into abutment with the dimples. Flow-induced vibration of the instrumentation tube will cause it to move out of contact with the dimples and further engage the spring member, which will flex a predetermined amount and exert a reactive force against the instrumentation tube to restrain its movement. The amount by which the spring member will flex is less than the unrestrained amplitude of vibration of the instrumentation tube. The reactive force exerted against the instrumentation tube will be sufficient to return it to its original axial position within the thimble tube. In this manner, vibration of the instrumentation tube is dampened so that in-core physics measurements are accurate and so that the instrumentation tube will not wear against the inside surface of the guide thimble tube. 14 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1994},
month = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1994}
}