Thomas D Culbreth

US Patent:

47479965, May 31, 1988

Filed:

Mar 9, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/023496

Inventors:

David L. Hale - Lexington SC
Thomas F. Culbreth - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G21C 1900

US Classification:

376261

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for adjusting the level of nuclear fuel rods in a fuel assembly is disclosed, and which comprises a tool composed of an expander having a pair of parallel, laterally spaced apart and flexible arms which have first ends which are interconnected to each other, and opposite free ends. The tool further includes an actuator disposed between the free ends of the arms, and the free ends of the arms and the actuator mount cooperating wedge surface means, whereby relative longitudinal movement between the expander and actuator causes the arms to separate a predetermined maximum distance. In use, the tool is inserted into the fuel assembly with the free ends of the arms located between the end of a misaligned fuel rod and the nozzle, and the actuator is then longitudinally advanced to separate the arms to the predetermined maximum distance, which serves to move the misaligned rod to its proper level. During the separation of the arms, the arms may be manually pressed toward each other so that the free ends are maintained in a parallel relationship and so as to avoid lateral forces being imparted to the misaligned fuel rod.

US Patent:

45530149, Nov 12, 1985

Filed:

Mar 12, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/588611

Inventors:

Thomas F. Culbreth - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23K 928
H01B 1730
F16J 1548

US Classification:

219 75

Abstract:

A self-sealing electrode guide for supporting an electrode in an electrode port of a welding chamber, includes a housing adapted to be mounted in the electrode port and a sealing sleeve accommodated in a housing channel defined in the housing. The sealing sleeve has opposite first and second ends and an open-ended passage adapted to receive the electrode. The first end is disposed for exposure to an external force which is oriented in a direction extending from the first end towards the second end and which is derived from a pressure in the welding chamber. An abutting arrangement is provided in the housing for cooperating with the second end to prevent displacement of the sealing sleeve relative to the housing. The sealing sleeve is resiliently deformable by the external force for assuming a deformed state in which the sealing sleeve is sealingly pressed about the electrode and against housing walls forming the housing channel.

US Patent:

47245948, Feb 16, 1988

Filed:

Mar 26, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/844421

Inventors:

David L. Hale - Lexington SC
Thomas F. Culbreth - Columbia SC

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23P 1904

US Classification:

29261

Abstract:

An apparatus for adjusting the level of nuclear fuel rods in a fuel assembly is disclosed, and which comprises a tool composed of an expander having a pair of parallel, laterally spaced apart and flexible arms which have first ends which are interconnected to each other, and opposite free ends. The tool further includes an actuator disposed between the free ends of the arms, and the free ends of the arms and the actuator mount cooperating wedge surface means, whereby relative longitudinal movement between the expander and actuator causes the arms to separate a predetermined maximum distance. In use, the tool is inserted into the fuel assembly with the free ends of the arms located between the end of a misaligned fuel rod and the nozzle, and the actuator is then longitudinally advanced to separate the arms to the predetermined maximum distance, which serves to move the misaligned rod to its proper level. During the separation of the arms, the arms may be manually pressed toward each other so that the free ends are maintained in a parallel relationship and so as to avoid lateral forces being imparted to the misaligned fuel rod.