ES2854841T3 - Miniature Slurry Lance Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A miniature slurry lance (50) for use between adjacent tubes (24) in a steam generator (10) when introduced through an inspection opening in a steam generator housing, said slurry lance (50 ) comprises: a mounting assembly (52) structured to support a drive assembly (54) and an elongated rail (56); said drive assembly (54) is coupled to said mounting assembly (52), and a nozzle assembly (58) having a body assembly (400) defining a water passage (401), wherein said assembly drive (54) is structured to move elongated rail (56) through said inspection opening, said drive assembly (54) coupled to said mounting assembly (52); the elongated rail (56) has a body (70) and a transmission shaft (72), said rail body (70) has a first end (74) and a second end (76), said rail body (70) defines a water passage (78) and a transmission shaft passage (80), said transmission shaft (72) rotatably disposed in said transmission shaft passage (80), said rail body (70) movably coupled to said transmission assembly (54), said rail water passage (78) structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a water supply; said nozzle assembly body assembly (400) is coupled to said rail body (70) with said nozzle assembly water passage (401) being in fluid communication with said rail body water passage (78) ; whereby, when said rail body (70) moves through said inspection opening, said set of nozzles (58) is adapted to pass between adjacent tubes (24) of said steam generator said rail body ( 70) has lateral sides (194, 196), at least one side of the rail body has a plurality of sprocket holes (200); said drive assembly (54) has a motor (210), a casing assembly (212), a drive sprocket (214) and at least one guide surface (216); said motor has an output shaft (218), said motor (210) being structured to rotate said output shaft, said output shaft being coupled to said drive sprocket (214): said at least one guide surface (216) ) structured to keep said rail body (70) in contact with said sprocket (214); wherein said rail body (70) is disposed between said guide surface (216) and said sprocket (214) with said sprocket holes (200) meshing the sprocket teeth (215); said drive assembly housing assembly (212) includes an upper case (220) and a lower case (222); said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) movably coupled to each other and structured to translate relative to each other, said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) structured to move about an axis in substantially the same plane; said drive assembly housing assembly (212) includes two elongated guide pin passages (224) and two elongated guide pins (226); said guide pin passages (224) extend through said upper case (220) and said lower case (222); said longitudinal axes of guide pin passages (224) arranged in the same plane and extending substantially parallel to each other; said guide pins (226) disposed in said guide pin passages (224) and coupled to said lower case (222); one of said guide pins (226) includes a pusher assembly (230) having a pusher device (232), a button (234) and a threaded end (228) on the associated guide pin (226); one of said guide pin passages (224) has a portion (238) with a larger diameter so that when a guide pin (226) is disposed in said passage (224) which has the portion (238) with a larger diameter, an annular space (240) is created; said thrust device (232) disposed in said annular space (240); said threaded end of guide pin (228) disposed adjacent said upper case (220); said button (234) has a threaded opening, said button (234) disposed on said threaded end of guide pin (236); said pushing device (232) arranged between the bottom of said annular space (240) and said button (234); and whereby said thrust assembly (230) urges said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) toward each other, wherein one of said drive sprockets (214) or said at least one surface of Guide (216) is coupled to upper case (220) and the other is coupled to lower case (222).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Miniature Slurry Lance Apparatus

Background of the invention

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a steam generator and, more specifically, to a miniature sludge lance structured to pass between adjacent tubes in the steam generator.

Description of the state of the art

A pressurized water nuclear reactor uses a steam generator to maintain the separation of the water that passes over the nuclear fuel (the "primary water") and the water that passes through the electricity generating turbines (the "secondary water"). The steam generator has an outer casing that defines a closed space, at least one primary fluid inlet port, at least one primary fluid outlet port, at least one secondary fluid inlet port, at least one outlet port of secondary steam, and a plurality of tubes of substantially uniform size extending between the primary fluid inlet port and the primary fluid outlet port, and are in fluid communication therewith. That is, the primary water passes through a collector that divides the primary water into multiple streams that pass through the plurality of tubes. This manifold may be located inside or outside the housing of the steam generator, but is preferably arranged inside the housing of the steam generator. Secondary water can also go through a collector, or just multiple inlets / outlets, but typically goes through a single inlet and a single outlet. A typical steam generator is cylindrical, approximately 18.28 cm high and approximately 1.65 cm in diameter.

The tubes are arranged in a substantially regular pattern extending substantially vertically and having substantially uniform narrow spaces between adjacent tubes. Furthermore, the tubes are usually in the general shape of an inverted "U" and are attached to a flat plate having a plurality of openings therethrough. This flat plate, or tube plate, together with another plate separating the at least one primary fluid inlet port and the at least one primary fluid outlet port, substantially forms the manifold noted above. Thus, within the casing of the flow generator, the tubes have a rising side (hot) and a falling side (cold). Between these two sides there is a space identified as a "bundle of tubes". The steam generator housing has openings at various heights and on both sides of the tube bundle. Typically the openings are arranged in opposite pairs. A 6 inch diameter penetration for the tube bundle axis opening is typical. Since the tube bundle is formed by the U-shaped tube dome, access to the center of the steam generator is generous along the tube bundle.

In operation, the primary water communicates through the tubes and the secondary water passes over them. As this happens, the secondary water is heated and the primary water is cooled. During operation of the pressurized water reactor steam generator, sediment is introduced on the secondary side as the secondary water is converted to steam. This particulate sediment, or sludge, is deposited on most exposed surfaces, including the outer surface of the tubes and primarily on the top of the tubesheet. Periodic cleaning of sediments is desirable to maintain good heat transfer and good water flow in the steam generator. A typical cleaning is carried out by sweeping high volume, high pressure water jets introduced along the axis of the steam generator tube bundle where there is ample clearance. That is, a "lance" structured to spray high pressure water moves through the tube bundle and is structured to spray water generally laterally (that is, generally perpendicular to the axis of the tube bundle) and downward between the tubes. tubes. This spray lifts most of the sludge off the tubesheet and removes the sludge from the exposed sides of the tubes. Cleaning can be preceded by chemical treatment. This cleaning pattern, however, can leave sludge between close tube locations and is less effective at separate locations in the tube bundle.

It should further be noted that to regulate the secondary side water flow patterns in the steam generator, devices called tube bundle blocks have been installed in some steam generators. Tube bundle blocks can prohibit cleaning equipment through 6 '' penetration. Support plate structures (tie rods) within steam generator tube bundles are other obstructions that can prevent effective cleaning. Due to various internal physical constraints on the tube bundle (the area generated along the tube sheet center line by the minimum radius of curvature of the tubes in Row 1), the tube sheet feet ( either hot or cold, depending on the location of the inlet nozzle) cannot be adequately cleaned by conventional hand-hole-mounted blast cleaning equipment. Access to the tube bundle is further restricted by a tube bundle locking device (TLBD) arrangement and a purge tube positioned directly along the center line of the hand hole in the tube bundle.

In addition to tube bundle access, some steam generators have smaller inspection penetrations, openings approximately 2 inches in diameter, located at various orientations and elevations above the steam generator. After entry through an inspection penetration, access is limited by the space between adjacent tubes. These openings are rarely used for cleaning because the problem is to precisely position, and sweep, the high pressure cleaning jets and deliver a high volume of water within the confines of the space between adjacent tubes and the inspection penetration. These penetrations can also be arranged at various degrees from the center of the tube bundle. Sludge blast cleaning is not typically performed through these penetrations due to their physical size and location. Therefore, the tube bundle in these steam generators is basically inaccessible and prone to accumulation of sludge and debris under the purge tube and between the TLBDs. Additionally, some utilities have prohibited manual blast cleaning with static jets directly striking the tube plate and adjacent steam generator tubes, limiting certain types of manual pressure blast cleaning that they could be used through the inspection penetrations to clean this region. Mud jet blasting technicians are subjected to higher doses or radiation with equipment that does not provide an automated mechanical means of oscillating or rotating the high speed jets through the gaps between tubes. It should also be noted that, during the cleaning of the steam generator (tube bundle or access to the inspection port), water at high pressure and volume is injected into the steam generator and sprayed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lance. . That is, the water must be redirected 90 degrees to clean between the tubes. Turbulence of the water around a 90 degree bend significantly increases the divergence of the exiting water jet.

Document US 2009/0010378 A1 discloses a sludge lance system comprising a support rail that is first installed in the steam generator to define a stationary support structure for carrying a mobile lance carriage. The support rail is installed in the steam generator by introducing it through an opening with a support structure attached to the steam generator housing. The slurry lance as such is designed as a double slurry lance having two parallel lances separated in the horizontal direction by a distance and mounted on a carriage that is movable along said support rail. Documents US005555851 A, BE899330A2 and US6513462 disclose other systems of sludge lances for cleaning gaps between tubes of steam generators.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the invention, a miniature slurry lance is provided for use between adjacent tubes in a steam generator, as claimed in claim 1. Cleaning the tube sheet and the outer surface of the tubes, or "sludge jet cleaning", can be carried out efficiently and essentially automatically through the inspection ports by inserting a cleaning tool, or "lance", through the inspection penetrations that are narrower than the tube gap (the space between adjacent tubes that is a function of tube diameter and pitch). As long as, of course, the lance can be aligned with a tube bundle and the lance can be positioned to spray the high speed jet generally parallel to the tubesheet. The inspection port jet cleaning system disclosed below has the ability to be automatically indexed relative to tube bundle spacing and in one preferably, the rail is segmented. That is, a plurality of similar rail assemblies are coupled together to form the rail. The rail assemblies can be of uniform length, thus reducing manufacturing costs, or they can have a variety of lengths to reduce the number of components while still being useful in a confined space. For example, rail assemblies that have lengths of five, three, and two feet could be used to form a rail that has a total length of 3.08 cm, but can still be manipulated in construction by providing a 1.82 cm clearance. around a steam generator.

The rail is moved longitudinally by a drive assembly. The drive assembly is structured to accurately support and index the rail. The drive assembly is arranged in a mounting assembly coupled to the inspection opening. The mounting assembly has an alignment (adjustment) device that allows the rail to be properly aligned with the tube space between two rows. It should be noted that a small misalignment adjacent to the inspection opening can result in the first end of the rail coming into contact with the tubes as the rail advances. This is undesirable as the movement of the lance can be restricted.

There are two embodiments of nozzle assemblies disclosed herein. Both sets of nozzles can use the same rail and drive set, but each uses a different type of oscillating motion. Therefore, the oscillation assembly for each embodiment is slightly different. In one embodiment, the oscillation is simulated by mechanically raising and lowering the nozzle assembly (containing the high velocity water jets) against the hydrostatic operating pressure developed by the geometry of the jet.

In another embodiment, the nozzle assembly is structured to rotate about a 180 degree arc. With opposing nozzles, this creates a spray that covers 360 degrees. An anti-reverse mechanism allows orientation precise nozzle sweep. That is, when a driveshaft is segmented, there is a possibility that the segments will not maintain their orientation to each other due to tolerances in the couplings. This misalignment is exacerbated when high pressure water is sprayed. This is a disadvantage, as the nozzle assembly must be properly oriented to pass through the gaps between tubes.

In this configuration, the miniature mud lance provides fast, accurate, and repeatable setup.

Brief description of the drawings

A further understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cutaway isometric view of a steam generator.

Figure 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the steam generator of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed top cross-sectional view of the steam generator showing one embodiment of the miniature slurry lance.

Figure 4 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the steam generator showing one embodiment of the miniature slurry lance.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a part of the rail.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the head assembly and one embodiment of the nozzle assembly.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a rail assembly.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the oscillator and water trap assembly.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the second end of a rail assembly.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the first end of a rail assembly.

Figure 11 is a top view of the drive assembly.

Figure 12 is a side view of the drive assembly.

Figure 13 is a rear end view of the drive assembly.

Figure 14 is a schematic side view of the drive assembly.

Figure 15 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the steam generator showing the positioning assembly.

Figure 16 is an end view of the nozzle orientation reset device.

Figure 17 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the steam generator showing another embodiment of the miniature slurry lance.

Figure 18 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the retraction assembly. Figure 18A is a detail of a cross-sectional side view of the slide head assembly of Figure 18. Figure 19 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the other embodiment of the miniature slurry lance.

Figure 20 is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the other embodiment of the oscillator assembly.

Figure 21 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a nozzle assembly.

Figure 22 is an end view of a flow straightener.

Figure 23 is a side view of the mounting assembly.

Figure 24 is an end view of the mounting assembly.

Figure 25 is a top view of the mounting assembly.

Description of the preferred embodiments

As used herein, "coupled" means a link between two or more items, either direct or indirect, as long as a link occurs.

As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements are directly in contact with each other.

As used herein, "fixedly coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled so that they move as one while maintaining a constant orientation to each other. Fixed components may or may not be directly coupled.

As used herein, "temporarily coupled" means that two components are coupled in a way that allows the components to be easily uncoupled without damaging them. The "temporarily attached" components are easy to access or manipulate. For example, a nut on a bolt that is exposed is "temporarily engaged" while a nut on a bolt inside a typical multi-fastener sealed gearbox is not "temporarily engaged."

As used herein, "match" indicates that two structural components are sized to engage each other with a minimal amount of friction. Thus, an opening corresponding to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member can pass through the opening with a minimal amount of friction.

As used herein, a "keyed or keyed coupling", a "keyed bushing", a "keyed opening", and a "keyed end" mean that two components are structured to be temporarily clamped together. This can be achieved by a fixed threaded connection or an extension or lug arranged in a hole or passage. The extension and the bushing have a cross-sectional shape that correspond to each other, but are not circular. As such, the extension cannot rotate in the socket. Keyed elements can have a cross-sectional shape, such as a hexagon (like a common nut), a "D" shape, or a rectangle. Unless it is coupled in another way, for example by welding or adhesive, or is difficult to access, a keyed coupling provides a temporary coupling.

As used herein, the word "unit" means that a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes parts that are created separately and then assembled as a unit is not a "unitary" component or body.

As used herein, a body that moves in a "longitudinal direction" means that the body moves in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body.

As used herein, "operatively mesh" when used in reference to gears, or other components that have teeth, means that the teeth of the gears mesh with each other and the rotation of one gear causes the other gear rotate too.

Figures 1 and 2 show a steam generator 10 associated with a pressurized water nuclear reactor (not shown). A more complete description of a steam generator 10 is set forth in US Pub.

2008/0121194, however, in general, the steam generator 10 includes an elongated, generally cylindrical housing 12 defining an enclosed space 14, at least one primary fluid inlet port 16, at least one primary fluid outlet port 18, at least one second fluid inlet port 20, at least one second fluid outlet port 22, and a plurality of tubes of substantially uniform size 24 extending between, and in fluid communication with, the at least one primary fluid inlet port 16 and the at least one primary fluid outlet port 18. The cylindrical housing 12 is typically oriented with the longitudinal axis extending substantially vertically. The tubes 24 are tightly coupled to a tube plate 23 that forms part of a manifold within the closed space dividing the fluid inlet port 16 and the fluid outlet port 18. As seen in Figure 1, tubes 24 generally follow an inverted "U" -shaped path. As seen in Figures 2 and 3, tubes 24 are arranged in a substantially regular pattern having substantially uniform and narrow spaces 25 between adjacent tubes 24. The space between tubes 25 is typically between about 0.73 and 1.04 cm, and more typically is about 0.83 cm. In addition, as shown, the "U" shape of tubes 24 creates a tube bundle 26 that extends through the center of housing 12. On either side of tube bundle 26 is an access opening to the tube bundle. tubes 30. The tube bundle access opening 30, which is typically round, typically has a diameter of between about 12.7 and 20.32 cm, and more typically about 15.24 cm. In addition, housing 12 has at least one inspection opening 32 disposed adjacent to said plurality of tubes 24 that is not aligned with tube bundle 26. Inspection opening 32, which is typically round, typically has a diameter of between 3 , 81 and 10.16 cm, and more typically 5.08 cm. It should be noted that the tube bundle access opening 30 and inspection openings 32 may be located at multiple elevations of the housing 12.

During operation of the pressurized water nuclear reactor, the heated primary water from the reactor passes through the tubes 24 through the at least one primary fluid inlet port 16 and is withdrawn from the steam generator 10 through the at least one primary fluid port. primary fluid outlet 18. Secondary water enters steam generator 10 through at least one fluid inlet port 20 and exits steam generator 10 through at least one steam outlet port 22. A As the secondary water passes over the outer surface of tubes 24, the secondary water turns to steam, leaving sludge between tubes 24, in tube plate 23, and other structures of steam generator 10. Typically, the access for a full size slurry lance (not shown) it is through the access opening of tube bundle 30.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a miniature slurry lance 50 includes a mounting assembly 52, a drive assembly 54, an elongated rail 56, a nozzle assembly 58, and preferably an oscillator assembly 60. The miniature slurry lance 50, unlike a normal size slurry lance, is structured to be inserted into the steam generator 10 through an inspection opening 32. In addition, the miniature slurry lance part 50 that passes into the steam generator 10, that is, the rail 56 and the set of nozzles 58, are dimensioned to pass between the adjacent tubes 24, that is, to pass through the gaps between tubes 25.

Mounting assembly 52 is structured to support drive assembly 54 and rail 56. Drive assembly 54 is structured to move rail 56 through inspection opening 32. In addition, drive assembly 54 is coupled to the mounting assembly 52. Rail 56 has a body 70 and a drive shaft 72 (Fig. 5). The rail body 70 has a first end 74 and a second end 76. In general, as used herein, the first end of the rail body 74 is the end that moves within the steam generator 10. As stated shown in Figure 5, the rail body 70, as indicated above, is dimensioned to pass between adjacent tubes 24. The rail body 70 defines a water passage 78 and a drive shaft passage 80. The shaft The drive assembly 72 is rotatably disposed in the drive shaft passage 80. The rail body 70 is movably coupled to the drive assembly 54. The rail water passage 78 is structured to be coupled to and in communication fluid with, a water supply (not shown), which is preferably a high pressure water supply. It should be noted that the water may include a cleaning product, or the fluid may just be a cleaning product. As used herein, "water" means the fluid used to clean the tubes 24.

As shown in Figure 6, nozzle assembly 58 has a body assembly 400, 500 (Fig. 19) which, as noted above, is dimensioned to pass between adjacent tubes 24. The nozzle assembly body assembly nozzles 400, 500 also define a water passage 401. The nozzle assembly body assembly 400, 500 is coupled to the rail body 70 with the water passage of the nozzle assembly body assembly 401 that is in fluid communication with the water passage of the rail body 78. In this configuration, as the rail body 70 moves through the inspection opening 32, the nozzle assembly 58 passes between the adjacent tubes 24. As the rail assembly nozzles 58 passes between adjacent tubes 24 and one of the purposes of the miniature mud lance 50 is to clean multiple tubes 24, the water is preferably sprayed laterally, that is, in a direction generally perpendicular to the lon axis. longitudinal of the rail 56. More preferably, the water is sprayed at a slight downward angle to impinge on the mud at the top of the tubesheet 23. Thus, the body assembly of the nozzle assembly 400, 500 is preferably elongated and includes at least two side nozzles 600. Preferably, the at least two side nozzles 600 are longitudinally spaced from each other in the body assembly of the nozzle assembly 400, 500, and more preferably, the nozzles 600 are substantially spaced apart. same distance as between the center line of two adjacent tubes 24, that is, the same distance as between the center line of gaps between adjacent tubes 25. Additionally, the nozzle set 58 may include four nozzles 600, with the nozzles 600 arranged in opposite pairs. In this configuration, the nozzles 600 of a pair are oriented in substantially opposite directions. In this way, the water is sprayed in two directions. The nozzle assembly 58 can be positioned at different spacings from the tube 25 and actuated. That is, the nozzle assembly 58 can spray high pressure water through the gaps between tubes 25, thus cleaning the tubes 24 immediately adjacent to the nozzle assembly 58, as well as beyond several rows of tubes 24.

The miniature slurry lance 50 may use at least two different types of nozzle assemblies 58. Each of these nozzle assemblies 58, a rotating nozzle assembly 58A and a vertically reciprocating nozzle assembly 58B (Fig. 19) are detailed below. Each type of nozzle assembly 58A, 58B has an associated oscillator assembly 60A, 60B. The remaining components of the miniature slurry lance 50 can be used with any set of nozzles 58. Accordingly, the following description will address the common components first, and then discuss the two types of nozzle sets 58A, 58B.

As noted above, rail 56 has a body 70 and a drive shaft 72. The body of rail 70 has a first end 74 and a second end 76. The body of rail 70 is substantially rigid. The rail body 70 is dimensioned to pass between adjacent tubes 24. The corners of the rail body 70 may be beveled to reduce the possibility of a sharp edge coming into contact with the tubes 24. Preferably, the rail body 70 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with a height greater than the width. This configuration, compared to another shape, for example a circular cross section, allows the passage of water in the rail body 78 is greater to provide a sufficient amount of water. It should further be noted that the water passage of the rail body 78 preferably has an oval cross-sectional shape. This shape allows a less turbulent flow as the water passes into the nozzle assembly 58. The passage of the transmission shaft of the rail body 80 is preferably generally circular. The driveshaft 72 is generally circular. The driveshaft 72 has a first end 82 (Figure 6) and a second end 84 (Figure 8). The first and second ends of the driveshaft 82, 84 are preferably a keyed coupling (keyed and keyed bushing 134, 136, discussed below) or are coupled to a key for a keyed coupling, as shown. comments later.

The rail body 70 is long enough to reach all the tubes 24 in a steam generator. Thus, if the steam generator housing 12 is 3.04 cm in diameter, and each inspection opening 32 has an opposite inspection opening 32, the rail body 70 would have a length of approximately 1.52 cm. If the steam generator housing 12 is 3.04 cm in diameter, and the inspection openings 32 do not have an opposite opening, the rail body 70 would be approximately 3.04 cm long.

Steam generators 10, however, are not always arranged in an installation with a clearance of 3.04 cm or more around steam generator 10. Thus, rail 56 may be segmented. That is, the rail 56 may include modular rail assemblies 90 and a water collector 92 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The rail assemblies 90 are structured to be coupled to each other and to be coupled to the water collector 92. to form the rail 56. Therefore, the components selected for the rail 56, for example, the second end of the driveshaft 84, are shown as part of the selected assemblies. Each rail assembly 90 has a drive shaft segment 94 and an elongated body 96. As before, each rail assembly body 96 is elongated and has a first end 98 and a second end 100. In addition, each body of the rail assembly Rail 96 has a preferably rectangular cross section defining a water passage 99, preferably oval, and a generally circular drive shaft passage 101. Each body of rail assembly 96 is dimensioned to pass between adjacent tubes 24.

In addition, each rail assembly body 96 includes a water passage seal 102. The water passage seal 102 of the rail assembly body may be disposed at either or both ends of the rail assembly body 98, 100, but preferably it is disposed at the first end 98 of the rail assembly body. That is, for each rail assembly body 96 there is an associated gasket 102 at the first end of the rail assembly body 98. When the rail assembly bodies 96 are coupled to each other, as described below, each water passage 102 is structured to tightly fit adjacent rail assembly body 96. Each water passage joint 102 is preferably disposed in a recess 104 in the axial face of the first end of the rail body 74. The recess 104 extends over the water passage 78 of the rail body and provides support for the joint. passageway 102. In addition, a gasket support frame 106 may be disposed in the gasket recess 104 to provide additional support for gasket 102. In addition, each rail assembly body 96 may have a longitudinal window 108 in it. Longitudinal window 108 is aligned with, and provides communication with, the driveshaft passage 101. Longitudinal window 108 allows for easier fabrication of the driveshaft passage 101 (reduces the length that the driveshaft passage 101 must be cut from each end of the rail assembly body 96), allows to hold the driveshaft segment 94 when threaded driveshaft segments 94 are engaged, and allows a user to observe the driveshaft segment 94 during use .

Each rail assembly body 96 preferably has a substantially uniform length of between about 15.24 and 60.96 cm, and more preferably about 25.4 cm. Preferably, each rail assembly body 96 has a length a multiple of the tube passage. This allows for interchangeability of the rail assemblies 90. That is, for each model of steam generator 10 (in which the spacing of tube 24 is substantially uniform) the length of the rail assembly body 96 which is a multiple of the passage of the tube allows the spacing of the holes in the sprocket 200 and the positioning indicator 308, both discussed below, to be evenly spaced in each rail assembly body 96. Alternatively, the rail assembly bodies 96 may have lengths remarkably different sized to minimize the number of rail assembly bodies 96 required to extend through steam generator 10 while being sized to fit within the facility in which steam generator 10 is located. For example, for a generator of steam 10 3.04 cm in diameter, the rail assembly bodies 96 can have lengths of 1.52, 0.91 and 0.60 cm ft.

As shown in Figure 8, the water manifold 92 is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a water supply (not shown), and preferably a high pressure water supply (not shown). The water collector 92 has a drive shaft segment 110 and a body 112. The water collector body 112 has a first end 114 and a second end 116. The water collector body 112 defines a water passage 118 and a transmission shaft passage 120. The first end of the body of the water collector 114 is coupled to the second end 100 of the body of the rail assembly 96 disposed at the second end of the body of the rail 76. That is, as indicated above , the second end of the rail body 76 is the end of the rail body 70 that is outside the steam generator 10. Therefore, independently Out of how many rail assemblies 90 are used to form rail 56, water collector 92 engages the body of rail assembly 96 at the second end of rail body 76.

As noted above, the driveshaft 72 is an elongated, substantially cylindrical body, structured to rotate in the passage of the driveshaft 80. When the driveshaft 72 is divided into driveshaft segments 94, as shown In Figure 7, the driveshaft segments 94 are structured to be temporarily fixed to each other by couplings. That is, each driveshaft segment 94 has a first end 130 and a second end 132. The ends of driveshaft segments 130, 132 are an extension 134 or a bushing 136; Depending on the nozzle assembly 58A, 58B used, each first end of the driveshaft segment 130 is a key, such as a keyed extension 134A or a threaded extension 134B, and each second end of the driveshaft segment 132 is a bushing. with key 136A or threaded bushing 136B. In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the water manifold drive shaft segment 110 has a first end 140 and a second end 142, both of which are a keyed extension 134A or a threaded extension 134B, depending on the type of driveshaft 72 in use. That is, the first end 140 of the water collector drive shaft segment corresponds to the type of drive shaft segment bushing 136 in use. When the rail body 70 is segmented, the second end of the water collector drive shaft segment 142 is the second end of the drive shaft 84, since the second end of the water collector drive shaft segment 142 always it is located at the second end of the rail body 76. Therefore, all the drive shaft segments 94 and the water collector drive shaft segment 110 can be temporarily fixed to each other to form the drive shaft 72.

As detailed below, the drive shaft 72 is preferably structured to move in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, this is assisted by at least one bearing 150 disposed between the transmission shaft 72 and the transmission shaft passage of the rail body 80. When the rail body 70 is segmented, there is at least minus one bearing 150 disposed between each drive shaft segment 94 and each rail body drive shaft passageway 101. More preferably, there are two bearings 150 in each rail assembly body 96, one adjacent to each rail segment end. driveshaft 130, 132. The at least one bearing 150 is held in the desired location adjacent each end of the driveshaft segment 130, 132 by securing the bearing to the body of the rail assembly 96 by a spring pin 153. In addition , each drive shaft segment 94 includes at least one reduced diameter portion 152, and preferably one reduced diameter portion 152 per bearing 150. Each reduced diameter portion 152 forms a channel in which dis sets bearing 150. The ends of each reduced diameter portion 152 prevent bearing 150 from moving past reduced diameter portion 152. Since at least one bearing 150 is fixed in place relative to the body of the assembly of the rail 96, this has the effect of trapping the drive shaft segment 94 in the body of the rail assembly 96. More preferably, the reduced diameter portion 152 is longer than the associated bearing 150, thus allowing the shaft segment to driveshaft 94 moves a small distance longitudinally with respect to the body of rail assembly 96. Each at least one bearing 150 has a length and each reduced diameter portion of driveshaft segment 152 has an axial length that is greater than the length of the at least one bearing 150. Preferably, with respect to the first embodiment described below, the relative lengths of the bearing 150 and the reduced diameter portion 152 they allow the drive shaft segment 94 to move between 0.31 and 0.95 cm, and more preferably about 0.63 cm. It should be noted that, for the second embodiment discussed below, the driveshaft segments 94 are structured to travel between about 2.54cm and 5.08cm, and more preferably about 3.17cm.

Each rail body 96 has a coupling assembly 160 disposed at each end 98, 100. Each rail body coupling assembly 160 is substantially the same, so that any two rail bodies 70 can be coupled to each other. That is, each rail body coupling assembly 160 has a first component 162 and a second component 163. Each end of the rail assembly body 98 has a first coupling assembly component 162 and each end of the rail body 100 has a second component of the coupling assembly 163. Thus, the bodies of the rail assembly 96 may be coupled in series. Preferably, each first component of the coupling assembly 162 is at least one threaded fastener 164 and each second component of the coupling assembly 163 is at least one threaded hole 166. The at least one threaded fastener 164 is disposed in an elongated cavity 165 that is extends generally longitudinally at the first end 98 of the body of the rail assembly. A retaining body 167 may be disposed in the elongated pocket 165 and held in place by a spring pin 153. The retaining body 167 prevents the at least one threaded fastener 164 from being removed from the elongated pocket 165, thereby reducing the strain. possibility of a component falling into steam generator 10.

A nozzle assembly 58A utilizes a head assembly 170 disposed at the first end of the rail body 74, as shown in Figure 6. It should be noted that if alternative nozzle assemblies 58A, 58B are not to be used, the Elements of the head assembly 170 could be incorporated into the body of the rail 70. Therefore, it is understood that the components described in relation to the head assembly 170 can also be considered part of the body of the rail 70. The head assembly 170 is structured to movably support nozzle assembly 58A, as detailed below. Head assembly 170 has a body 172 with a first end 174 and second end 176. Head assembly body 172 defines a water passage 178, preferably oval, and a generally circular passage 180 of the drive shaft. The head assembly body 172 is dimensioned to pass between adjacent tubes 24. The second end of the head assembly body 176 is structured to be, and when assembled, coupled to the first end 98 of the rail assembly body 96 disposed at said first end of the rail body 74. That is, like the Water collector 92 is arranged at the rear end, that is, the second end 76, of the rail 56, the body of the head assembly 170 is arranged at the front end, that is, the first end 74, of the rail 56. In addition , the head assembly body water passage 178 and the driveshaft passage 180 are sized, shaped, and located to match the rail body water passage 78 and the drive shaft passage 180. rail body 80, or, the adjacent rail assembly body water passage 99 and the transmission shaft passage of the rail assembly body 101. In addition, the rail body water passage joint 102 is structured to seal against the head assembly body 172. In this configuration, the head assembly body 172, the at least one rail assembly body 96, and the water collector body 112 define the elongated rail water passage 78 and a drive shaft 80.

As noted above, the rail body 70, or the rail assembly bodies 96, are elongated and preferably have a rectangular cross section. Thus, the body of the rail 70, or the bodies of the rail assembly 96, have two wide sides, hereinafter an outer face 190 (Fig. 3) and an inner face 192 (Fig. 3), and two narrow lateral sides 194 , 196 (Fig. 4). One of the lateral sides of the rail body 194 has a plurality of sprocket holes 200 (Fig. 5). When the rail 56 is formed of rail assembly bodies 96, the sprocket holes 200 maintain a consistent spacing over the interface between adjacent rail assembly bodies 96. The other side face of the rail body 196 is preferably generally smooth. Sprocket holes 200 are structured to be meshed by drive assembly 54.

As shown in Figures 11-13, the drive assembly 54 has a motor 210, a housing assembly 212, and a non-slip drive 213 and at least one guide surface 216. The non-slip drive 213 may be, but cannot be limited to either a gear system or a rack and pinion (not shown), but is preferably a drive sprocket 214. The motor 210 has an output shaft 218 and the drive assembly motor 210 is structured to rotate the output shaft of drive assembly 218. Output shaft 218 is coupled to drive sprocket 214. The at least one guide surface 216 is structured to hold rail body 70, or rail assembly bodies 96 , in contact with the drive sprocket 214. The rail body 70 is, or the rail assembly bodies 96 are, disposed between the guide surface 216 and the sprocket 214 with the sprocket holes 200 which mesh the teeth of the sprocket 215. Preferably, the teeth of the sprocket 215 are involutive. The drive assembly housing assembly 212 includes an upper case 220 and a lower case 222. The upper case 220 and lower case 222 are movably coupled to each other and are structured to translate relative to each other. More preferably, upper case 220 and lower case 222 are structured to move about a single axis in substantially the same plane, that is, upper case 220 and lower case 222 translate in one plane while moving about a single axis. .

As shown in FIG. 14, to achieve this controlled movement of the upper case 220 and lower case 222, the drive assembly housing assembly 212 includes two elongated guide pin passages 224 and two elongated guide pins 226. The guide pin passages 224 extend through the upper case 220 and the lower case 222. That is, the guide pin passages 224 are bifurcated and aligned in each of the upper 220 and lower case 222. The shafts Longitudinal lengths of guide pins 224 are arranged in the same plane and extend substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the guide pin passages 224 include a linear bearing 225 disposed in the guide pin passage 224 of the lower case 222. In addition, the guide pin passage 224 of the lower case 222 preferably includes a threaded portion 227 and guide pins 226 have corresponding threads 228, thus allowing guide pins 226 to engage said passage 224. Guide pins 226 are disposed in guide pin passages 224 and are preferably coupled to the lower case 222.

Furthermore, the upper case 220 and the lower case 222 are structured to be pushed towards each other. This thrust causes the components coupled to the upper case 220 and the lower case 222 to engage the lateral sides 194, 196 of the body of the rail 70. The thrust can be affected by a device such as a tension spring coupled to both the upper case 220 and lower case 222, but is preferably affected by a push assembly 230 on a guide pin 226. The guide pin push assembly 230 includes a push device 232, a button 234, and a threaded end 236 at associated guide pin 226. Furthermore, the associated guide pin passage 224 has a portion 238 with a larger diameter so that when the guide pin 226 is disposed in the guide pin passage 224 that has a portion 238 with a larger diameter, an annular space 240 is created. The guide pin passage 224 having a portion 238 with a larger diameter is preferably disposed on top of the bifurcated guide pin passage 224. The pusher device 232, which is preferably a compression spring 242, is disposed in annular space 240. The threaded end of guide pin 236 is disposed adjacent to upper case 220. That is, the threaded end of guide pin 236 is at the top of the passage bifurcated guide pin 224. Button 234 has a threaded opening 244. Button 234 is disposed on the threaded end of guide pin 236. In this configuration, pusher 232 is disposed between the bottom of annular space 240 and button 234. This configuration causes pusher assembly 230 to push upper case 220 and lower case 222 toward each other.

To achieve the desired effect of the components coupled to the upper case 220 and the lower case 222 engaging the lateral sides 194, 196 of the body of the rail 70, the drive sprocket 214 and the at least one guide surface 216 must be coupled to different portions of the drive assembly housing assembly 212. Although the positions could be reversed, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive sprocket 214 is rotatably coupled to the lower case 222 and the at least one surface Guide 216 is disposed in the upper case 220. In this configuration, the drive sprocket 214 and the at least one guide surface 216 engage opposite lateral sides 194, 196 of the rail body 70. While the at least a guide surface 216 may be a cam surface, in the preferred embodiment, the at least one guide surface 216 is at least one guide wheel 250 rotatably fixed the upper case 220. For a greater degree of control of the rail body 70, the at least one guide wheel 250 may have three guide wheels 250. Preferably, the guide wheels 250 and the sprocket 214 (not the sprocket teeth 215) have substantially the same diameter. The axes of the three guide wheels 250 and of the sprocket 214 are arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern. This configuration effectively creates a longitudinal path through which the rail body 70 passes. It should be noted that if the guide wheels 250 and / or the sprocket 214 have different diameters, the same effect can be achieved with three wheels. guide 250 and sprocket 214 arranged in a quadrilateral pattern.

A guide wheel system 250 on a cam surface is preferred to reduce wear on the sides of the rail body 70, since the rail body 70 must be repeatedly actuated by the guide wheels 250 and sprocket 214. Wear can be further reduced by causing at least the guide wheel 250 vertically opposite the sprocket 214 to rotate at the same speed as the sprocket. This is accomplished by a drive gear set 260 that is coupled to sprocket 214 and structured to rotate the at least one guide wheel 250. Drive gear set 260 includes a first gear 262, a second gear 264 , a third gear 266, a fourth gear 268, a first elongated link 270, and a second elongated link 272. The first gear 262 is attached to the sprocket 214 and shares the same axis of rotation. The second sprocket 264 is attached to the at least one guide wheel 250. The first link 270 has a first end 274 and a second end 276. The first link 270 is dimensioned to rotatably support the first gear 262, the third gear 266 and the fourth gear 268 in the coupling. That is, the first link 270 is long enough that the first gear 262, the third gear 266, and the fourth gear 268 can be rotatably mounted thereon, but not so long that the first gear 262, the third gear 266 and fourth gear 268 do not operatively mesh with each other. Second link 272 has a first end 278 and a second end 280. Second link 272 is dimensioned to support second gear 264 and fourth gear 268 in operative engagement. The first end 274 of the first link is rotatably coupled to the lower case 222 with an axis of rotation corresponding to the axis of rotation of the sprocket 214. The first end 278 of the second link is rotatably coupled to the upper case with an axis of rotation corresponding to the axis of rotation of at least one guide wheel 250. In addition, the second end of the first link 276 and the second end of the link 280 are rotatably coupled and share an axis of rotation with the fourth gear 268 In this configuration, the drive assembly gear set 260 is structured to hold the gears 262, 264, 266, 268 in operative engagement on the two links 270, 272 and rotate relative to each other around the second end joint. 276, 280. The two links 270, 272 rotate with respect to each other around the second end link 276, 280 when upper case 220 and lower case 222 move as s e described above. Therefore, in this configuration, regardless of the space between the upper case 220 and the lower case 222, the sprocket 214 and the at least one wheel 250 remain operatively engaged through the operating engagement of gears 262, 264, 266, 268.

Having described the drive assembly 54 and elongated rail 56 it can be seen that the rail 56 passes through the path between the drive assembly sprocket 214 and the guide wheels 250, while the rail 56 is engaged by the sprocket. 214. As the motor of the drive assembly 210 rotates the sprocket 214, the rail 54 moves in or out of the steam generator 10. Also, it should be noted that when the rail 56 is segmented, the assemblies of rail 90 may be attached to each other during the cleaning procedure. That is, to clean tubes 24 closest to inspection opening 32, a single rail assembly 90 is coupled to nozzle assembly 58 and water trap 92. Rail 56 is passed through actuator assembly 54 and the set of nozzles 58 is introduced into the steam generator 10 and the tubes 24 are cleaned. The water collector 92 does not pass through the drive assembly 54. Therefore, once the tubes 24 closest to the inspection opening 32, the water trap 92 can be uncoupled from the first set of the rail 90, a second set of the rail 90 can then be coupled to the first set of the rail 90, and the water trap 92 is reattached to the second set of the rail 90. Rail 56 is now longer and the first end of rail body 74 can be moved further into steam generator 10. This procedure can be repeated by adding additional rail 90 assemblies until rail 56 is long enough to extend through steam generator 10.

However, before the cleaning operation occurs, it is desirable to align the nozzles 600 with the gaps between tubes 25. That is, as noted above, for the cleaning spray to reach as many tubes 24 as possible, it is It is desirable for the spray to be substantially aligned with the center of the gaps between tubes 25. Also, since the different inspection openings 32 may be spaced differently from adjacent tubes 24, the location of tubes 24 must be determined prior to inserting the tube. rail 56 with a nozzle assembly 58. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, rail 56 may have a positioning assembly 300 temporarily attached thereto. The positioning assembly 300 includes a body 302, a stop 304, an adjustable pointer assembly 306, and a plurality of indicators 308 (Fig. 4). The body of the positioning assembly 302 is substantially similar in dimensions to a body of the rail assembly 96, but does not include internal passages. The body of the positioning assembly 302 is coupled to the first end of the rail 56 and becomes the first end of the rail 74. The stop 304 is coupled to the body of the positioning assembly 302, that is, to the first end of the rail 74. The Stop 304 is dimensioned not to pass between adjacent tubes 24. Adjustable pointer assembly 306 is movably coupled to drive assembly 54 adjacent rail 56 and is structured to move in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of rail 56. The plurality of indicators 308 is disposed on the rail 56. The indicators 308 are preferably lines or line segments extending through the outer face 190 of the rail body. Indicators 308 are spaced as a multiple of the distance from the center line of the tube, preferably the multiple is one. Furthermore, the distance between the stop 304 and the indicators 308 is known and is structured such that, when the stop contacts a tube 24, the indicators are at a known distance from the center line of the tube 24 and / or from the center line of the gap between tubes 25.

In this configuration, the body of the positioning assembly 302 is inserted into the steam generator as described above, however, instead of passing between the tubes 24, the stop 304 will come into contact with the tube 24 closest to the inspection opening 32. Therefore, the location of tube 24 closest to inspection opening 32 can be determined. Once the location of tube 24 closest to inspection opening 32 is known, the adjustable pointer assembly 306 is positioned to match one of the indicators 308. The adjustable pointer assembly 306 is then temporarily fixed in that location. Next, rail 56 is removed from steam generator 10 and nozzle assembly 58 is attached to rail 56. Rail 56 is reinserted into steam generator 10 and rail 56 is moved until adjustable pointer assembly 306 lines up again with an indicator 308. In this configuration, the nozzles 600 will be arranged substantially on the center line of the tube gap 25. After applying a cleaning spray, the rail 56 can be indexed (moved) forward until the adjustable pointer assembly 306 is aligned with the next indicator 308, indicating that the nozzles 600 are now arranged in the next gap between tubes 25. This operation can be repeated until all gaps between tubes 25 have been cleared. When rail 56 includes a number of rail assemblies 90, the at least one indicator 308 includes a plurality of indicators 308 and is disposed on each rail assembly 90.

The adjustable pointer assembly 306 includes at least one fastener 310 and an elongated body 312 having an indicator 314 therein. In addition, the drive assembly 54 includes at least one opening of the fastener 313 adjacent the rail 56. The body 312 of the adjustable pointer assembly has a longitudinal slot 316 therein. Adjustable pointer assembly 306 has at least one fastener 310 disposed through one of the slots 316 in the body of the adjustable pointer assembly and coupled to drive assembly 54 in at least one opening in fastener 313. Therefore, the body The adjustable pointer assembly 312 is movably coupled to the drive assembly 54 and can be longitudinally movable as well as temporarily attached thereto.

The nozzle assembly 58 may include essentially fixed nozzles, but preferably includes movable nozzles 600 to increase the effective cleaning area to which the water can be applied. The movement of the nozzles 600 is generated by an oscillator assembly 330 (Fig. I). Oscillator assembly 330 is structured to produce cyclical motion and is operatively coupled to driveshaft 72. Therefore, driveshaft 72 also cyclically moves. As shown in Figure 8, the oscillator assembly 330 (Fig. 4) includes a housing assembly 332, a motor assembly 334 (Fig. 1) having an elongated output shaft 336, and a gear assembly 338. The Oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 is coupled to oscillator housing assembly 332. Oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 may include a control assembly 450 and a sensor assembly 452 having an encoder 454 and a resistance sensor. 456 mechanics, all shown schematically and detailed below. The oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 is structured to rotate the output shaft 336 in two directions. That is, the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 can rotate the oscillator motor 336 output shaft in two directions.

As noted above, the slurry lance 50 often must be operated in a confined space. As such, while the longitudinal axis of the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 and / or the output axis 336 could be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 72, it is preferred that the oscillator assembly 330 extends approximately perpendicular. to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 72, thereby reducing the overall length of the slurry lance 50. Therefore, the oscillator gear set 338 is preferably a miter gear set. The oscillator assembly gear set 338 has a first gear 340, a second gear 342, and a miter gear bushing member 343. The first and second gears 340, 342 of the oscillator gear set are operatively engaged.

The first gear 340 is attached to the output shaft of the oscillator assembly motor 336. The second gear 342 is coupled to the bushing member of the miter gear 343 that defines a keyed opening 344. That is, for each embodiment of the gear assembly nozzles 58A, 58B, the oscillator assembly gear set 338 has a different miter gear bushing member 343. The miter gear sleeve member 343 has a tubular portion 350 and a generally perpendicular flange 352. The tubular portion 350 of the miter gear sleeve member is disposed within the central opening of the second miter gear 342. The tubular portion 350 of the miter gear bushing member is hollow and defines a keyed bushing. The flange 352 of the miter gear bushing member includes fixing openings 354 that are aligned with the threaded holes 356 in the second miter gear 342. It should be noted that instead of using the miter gear bushing member 343 For the assembly to be adaptable for use with both embodiments of the nozzle assembly 58A, 58B, the second gear 342 may be formed with a specific opening (not shown) for use with a single nozzle assembly 58A, 58B. Accordingly, as used herein, the "second gear [with a] keyed opening" shall mean the second gear 342 with the associated miter gear bushing member 343 or the equivalent structure of a second gear 342 that has a keyed opening.

The second end of the driveshaft 84 extends from the body of the rail 70 and, as noted above, the outer perimeter may be a keyed extension 134 or be coupled to a key 134 for a keyed opening. That is, in the first embodiment, the second end of the driveshaft 84 is a key and in the second embodiment the second end of the driveshaft 84 is threaded and passes through a nut 570. As used herein Document, nut 570 is a movable part of the second end of the driveshaft 84, so this configuration is the same as the second end of the driveshaft 84 is a key dimensioned to correspond to the keyed opening of the gear member. miter 344.

For any type of second keyed end of driveshaft 346, driveshaft 72 can move through the second keyed opening of gear 344. That is, if the second end of driveshaft 84 is not threaded, the The second end of the driveshaft 84, and more specifically the second keyed end of the driveshaft 346, can slide through the second keyed opening of the gear 344. If the second end of the driveshaft 84 is threaded, the rotation of the threaded collar 570 causes the driveshaft 72 to move through the threaded collar 570, and the driveshaft 72 moves through the second keyed opening of the gear 344. Therefore, the second end 346 of the shaft The drive shaft is disposed in the second gear opening 344 and the drive shaft 72 is movable axially through the second gear 342.

Both embodiments of the nozzle assembly 58A, 58B include an elongated nozzle assembly body 400, 500. As noted above, there are preferably at least two lateral nozzles 600. The nozzles 600 are in fluid communication with the water passage of the The body of the nozzle assembly 401 and the at least two side nozzles 600 are structured to move relative to the rail 56. That is, the body of the nozzle assembly 400, 500 is coupled to the drive shaft 72 and the movement of the drive shaft Transmission 72 causes nozzle body 400, 500 to move relative to rail 56.

In one embodiment, the nozzle assembly 58A provides rotatable nozzles 600. That is, as shown in Figure 6, the body of the nozzle assembly 400 is an elongated, substantially hollow, substantially linear tube 402 having a first end 404, a middle portion 406 and a second end 408. The body of the nozzle assembly 400 defines the water passage of the body of the nozzle assembly 401. The body of the nozzle assembly 400 is structured to be rotatably coupled to the rail 56, or on the case of a segmented rail, to the head assembly 170, with the second end 408 of the body of the nozzle assembly and the middle portion 406 of the body of the nozzle assembly arranged within the body of the rail 70 (or inside the body of the head assembly 172) and the first end 404 of the nozzle assembly body extending from the first end 74 of the rail (or extending from the first end 174 of the head assembly body ).

In this embodiment, the nozzles 600 are generally perpendicular extensions 403 from the body of the nozzle assembly 400. There are preferably six nozzles 600, with three nozzles 600 extending parallel to each other in a first direction, and three other nozzles 600 extending in the opposite direction. The opposing nozzles 600 preferably share a substantially common axis. Furthermore, the combined length of the opposing perpendicular extensions 403 has a width greater than the gap between tubes 25 through which the rail 56 is inserted. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the perpendicular extensions 403 must be oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the axis. of the tubes 25 during insertion, as well as any subsequent longitudinal movement, of the rail 55. During cleaning, the body of the nozzle assembly 400, and thus the perpendicular extensions 403, are rotated, up to approximately 180 degrees, with in order to provide a larger cleaning area. That is, the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 is structured to rotate the drive shaft 72 in the following manner. First, the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 moves the drive shaft 72 up to about ninety degrees in a first direction. The oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 then returns the driveshaft 72 to its original orientation. The oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 then moves the driveshaft 72 to about ninety degrees in a second opposite direction. This means that the perpendicular extensions 403 can travel approximately 180 degrees. During this rotation, the perpendicular extensions 403 rotate within the inter-tube gaps 25 between the tubes adjacent the rail 56. In addition, the distal end of the body of the nozzle assembly 400 may include a soft, eg, non-metallic cap or cap 409 This soft cap 409 protects tubes 24 from damage if rail 56 is not properly aligned with the tube gap 25 through which it is inserted. Furthermore, the cap 409 preferably has a width, or diameter, greater than the body of the rail 70. Therefore, the body of the rail 70 must be prevented from moving in a space that is narrower than the body of the rail 70. Furthermore , the perpendicular extensions 403 may also include a non-metallic sleeve 411. The sleeve 411 helps protect the tubes 24 if the body of the nozzle assembly 400 is not correctly aligned with the perpendicular extensions 403 disposed in the gaps between tubes 25.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 400 is aligned with the transmission axis 72. Therefore, the nozzle body 400 is offset from the water passage of the rail body 78 (or the water passage of the rail assembly). head 178) and would not be in fluid communication with it. Consequently, at the first end of the rail body 74 (or within the head assembly 170) there is a first end fluid passage 410 between the water passage of the rail body 78 (or the water passage of the head assembly 178) and the rail body drive shaft passage 80 (or head assembly drive shaft passage 180). Furthermore, there is at least one fluid port 412 in the middle of the nozzle assembly body 406. The at least one fluid port 412 of the nozzle assembly is positioned in said fluid passage 410 of the first end of the rail body. The at least one fluid port 412 is in fluid communication with the water passage of the nozzle body 401. Therefore, the at least one fluid port 412 allows fluid communication between the water passage of the rail body. 78 (or head assembly water passage 178) and nozzle body water passage 401. Preferably, the edges of the at least one fluid port 412 are cut at an angle corresponding to the direction of fluid flow to reduce turbulence.

In this configuration, high pressure water is exposed to the driveshaft passage 80. To resist water infiltration into the driveshaft passage 80, a gasket is provided. More specifically, the middle portion of the nozzle body 406 includes a solid portion 414 disposed between the water passage of the nozzle body 401 and the second end of the keyed nozzle body 420, discussed below. The nozzle assembly body 400 includes a gasket assembly 416 having a plurality of gaskets 415. The plurality of gaskets 415 is disposed on the nozzle assembly body 400 and is structured to substantially resist leakage of water onto the body of the nozzle. nozzle assembly 400. Gasket set 416 includes at least a first gasket 415A and a second gasket 415B. The first gasket 415A is disposed immediately adjacent to the first end of the rail body 74 and is structured to resist the passage of water through said first end of the rail body 74. A bearing may also be provided at this location. The second seal 415B is disposed around the solid portion of the nozzle body 414 and is structured to resist the passage of water through the passage of the driveshaft 80. The second seal 415B may include radial channels (not shown) structured to communicate the water laterally. This type of gasket 415B requires an exhaust passage 418 (Fig. 4) in the body of the nozzle assembly 172. In this configuration, water that is forced down the drive shaft passage 80 can exit the body 172 of the nozzle. head assembly.

In addition, the nozzle body 400 is structured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, thus providing a greater coverage area for the cleaning spray. Preferably, the second end of the nozzle body 407 defines a keyed bushing 420. In addition, as noted above, the first end of the driveshaft 82 is a key 134. The key 134 of the first end of the driveshaft corresponds with the bushing 420 at the second end of the nozzle body. Therefore, when the nozzle body 400 is partially disposed on the rail body 70 (or the head assembly body 170), the first end of the drive shaft key 134 is temporarily fixed on the second end of the nozzle body key 420, whereby the rotation of the drive shaft 72 causes the nozzle body 400 to rotate.

There is potentially a nozzle body 400 alignment problem when rail 56 is made up of rail assemblies 90. That is, as discussed above, a user must know the orientation of nozzle body 400 within steam generator 10, since the nozzle body 400 can only move when the perpendicular extensions 403 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 25. However, when the transmission shaft 72 is segmented and coupled by extensions 134 and keyed bushings 136, there is the Possibility of "play" in the links. Each of the couplings has a tolerance, and when the tolerance is multiplied by the number of couplings, the effect of the combined tolerances can be too significant. That is, the combined tolerances may allow the perpendicular extensions 403 to be in the gaps between tubes 25 when the second end of the drive shaft 84 is in its original orientation, that is, when the nozzle body 400 was correctly aligned during insertion. .

To address this problem, the keyed extensions 134 and keyed bushings 136 are tapered and the driveshaft 72 is pushed toward the first end of the driveshaft 82. A keyed extension 134. Keyed bushing 136 is understood to have a corresponding shape. Keyed bushing 136 is tapered, having its largest (largest) cross-sectional area immediately adjacent to the driveshaft segment 94 and the smallest (smallest) cross-sectional area distal to the driveshaft segment 94. In addition, As described below, the driveshaft 72 is urged toward the first end of the driveshaft 82 by a plunger 434 described below. This thrust reduces / controls the "play" between the driveshaft segments 94. To ensure a tight fit between each keyed extension 134 and keyed bushing 136, the keyed extension 134 may have a taper ranging from approximately 0 .0 degrees and 4.0 degrees, and more preferably about 2.0 degrees sharper than the taper of bushing 136. As noted above, driveshaft 72 is structured to slide through keyed opening 344 of the oscillator assembly, as described above, and it is desirable to push the driveshaft 72 forward to push the keyed extensions 134 into the keyed bushings 136. As shown in Figure 8, this is accomplished by a set of Keyed Bushing Insertion 430 into Oscillator Assembly Housing Assembly 332. Keyed Bushing Insertion Assembly 430 is structured to engage the transmission shaft. mission 72 and pushing the transmission shaft 72 towards the first end 74 of the rail body. The keyed bushing insert assembly 430 includes a generally tubular keyed body 432, a plunger 434, a pusher 436, and a cap 438. The radial outer surface of the body 432 of the keyed bushing insertion assembly has a shape which corresponds to the opening 344 of the second keyed gear. The keyed bushing insert assembly body 432 further has an elongated keyed passage 440. The keyed bushing insert assembly body passage 440 is structured to correspond to the second end 84 of the keyed driveshaft. The keyed bushing insert assembly plunger 434 is disposed in the elongated passage 440 of the keyed bushing insert assembly body. Keyed bushing insert assembly cover 438 is coupled to keyed bushing insert assembly body 432 at the rear end of elongated passage 440 of keyed bushing insertion assembly body. The biasing device 436 of the keyed bushing insertion assembly, which is preferably a compression spring 437, is disposed between the plunger 434 of the keyed bushing insertion assembly and the cap 438 of the keyed bushing insertion assembly, and is structured to push the plunger 434 of the keyed bushing insert assembly toward the first end 74 of the rail body. Therefore, the plunger of the keyed bushing insert assembly 434 engages the drive shaft 72 and thus pushes the drive shaft 72 toward the first end of the rail body 74.

As noted above, the perpendicular extensions 403 must be oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 25 during insertion, as well as any subsequent longitudinal movement, of the rail 56. Generally, the orientation of the perpendicular extensions 403 is monitored by the oscillator assembly motor control assembly 450 (shown schematically in Fig. 1). That is, the oscillator assembly motor control assembly 450 is structured to receive input, typically an electronic signal carrying data, from the sensor assembly 452. The sensor assembly 452 (shown schematically in Fig. 1) it includes an encoder 454 (shown schematically in Fig. 1) structured to follow the orientation of the drive shaft 72, as well as a mechanical resistance sensor 456 (shown schematically in Fig. 1). The resistance sensor 456 is typically a current sensor that detects the amount of current used by the motor assembly of the oscillator assembly 334. Both the encoder 454 and the mechanical resistance sensor 456 generate the input received by the oscillator assembly. control of the oscillator assembly motor 450. That is, the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 is driven in response to input, for example, an operator input, and to receive input from encoder 454 and the sensor. resistor 456. Encoder 454 is structured to track the position of the gears in the oscillator assembly 338 gear assembly and to provide position data to the oscillator assembly 450 motor control assembly. Of oscillator 338 is in a fixed orientation relative to the drive shaft 72, the orientation of the drive shaft 72 is known as well. It should be noted that the encoder 454 resets each time the rail 56 is inserted into the steam generator after the rail body 70 has been placed in the proper orientation. Since the oscillator motor control assembly 450 is electronic, a loss of power could cause the system to lose track of the orientation of the perpendicular extensions 403. This is undesirable, since the longitudinal movement of the rail 56 with the extensions Perpendicular 403 in any orientation that is not substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of tubes 24 could result in damage to tubes 24. Accordingly, a nozzle orientation reset device 460 is included with oscillator assembly 330.

The nozzle orientation reset device 460 is structured to position the body of the nozzle assembly 400, and therefore the perpendicular extensions 403 with the nozzles 600, in a selected, typically vertical, orientation. The nozzle orientation reset device 460 includes an end plate 462 and a tab 464, as shown in FIG. 16. The end plate 462 is disposed adjacent to the body 432 of the keyed bushing insert assembly. That is, the end plate 462 is disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 72 adjacent the body of the keyed bushing insert assembly 432 (Fig. 6). End plate 462 has an arcuate channel 466 therein. The arcuate channel 466 of the end plate has a center that is substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 72. The lug 464 is disposed on the body 432 of the keyed bushing insert assembly and extends axially therefrom. Lug 464 is dimensioned and positioned to be movably disposed in arcuate channel 466. Therefore, when oscillator motor assembly 334 is actuated, lug 464 moves in channel 466. Arcuate channel 466 extends further 180 degrees and, when perpendicular extensions 403 are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of tubes 24, tab 464 is substantially centered in channel 466.

The orientation of the body of the nozzle assembly 400 is reset, that is, the motor of the oscillator assembly 450 is reset, moving the lug 464 in the channel 466 until the lug 464 contacts one end of the channel 466. The assembly Oscillator assembly motor control control 450 is preferably programmed with data indicating the angular distance between the end of channel 466 and the neutral position. When contact is made, the resistance sensor 456 provides position input data to the oscillator assembly 450 motor control assembly and the oscillator assembly 450 motor control assembly uses the encoder position data to reset the positions. nozzles, that is, the perpendicular extensions 403, in a selected orientation, that is, neutral.

In a second embodiment, shown in Figure 17, the nozzle assembly 58B is structured to move the nozzles 600 vertically. That is, in the second embodiment the nozzle assembly 58B includes an elongated body assembly 500 having a first elongated end 502, a middle part 504, and a second elongated end 506. The middle part 504 of the nozzle body assembly is arcuate, preferably extending over an arc of approximately ninety degrees, whereby the first end 502 of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly and the second end 506 of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly are disposed at approximately a right angle to each other. other. The nozzles 600 are disposed at the first end 502 of the body of the nozzle assembly. The nozzles 600 are structured to move vertically because the first end of the body of the nozzle assembly 502 is structured to collapse. That is, the first end of the nozzle assembly body assembly 502 is structured to move between a first position, in which the first end of the nozzle assembly body assembly 502 is extended, and a second position in which the First end of nozzle assembly body assembly 502 is retracted. Preferably, in use, the second end 506 of the nozzle assembly body assembly extends generally horizontally from the rail 56 and the middle portion 504 of the nozzle assembly body assembly curves downward. In this configuration, when the first end 502 of the nozzle assembly body assembly is in the first position, the nozzles 600 are at a lower elevation than when the first end 502 of the nozzle assembly body assembly is in the second position. position.

The first end of the nozzle assembly body assembly 502 may be structured to collapse through a bellows device but, in the preferred embodiment, movement of the nozzles 600 is accomplished by a retraction assembly 520 (Fig. 18) . That is, the nozzle assembly body assembly 500 includes a body member 510 and retraction assembly 520. The nozzle assembly body assembly body member 510 is a substantially rigid member having an elongated first end 512 , a middle part 514 and a second elongated end 516. The middle part 514 of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly is arcuate, and preferably extends over an arc of approximately ninety degrees, whereby the first end 512 of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly and the second end 516 of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly are disposed at approximately a right angle to each other. The retraction assembly 520 includes a cable 522 and a slide head assembly 524. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the slide head assembly 524 is movably coupled to the first end 512 of the body member of the body assembly. of the nozzle assembly and is structured to move longitudinally relative thereto. The retraction assembly cable 522 is movably disposed on the nozzle assembly body assembly body member 510 and is coupled to the sliding head assembly 524. In this configuration, movement of the retraction assembly cable 522 moves the slide head assembly 524. The nozzles 600 are arranged in the slide head assembly 524. Therefore, the movement of the slide head assembly 524 relative to the first end 512 of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzles is generally on a vertical axis.

The body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly 510 defines a number of passages. For example, in this embodiment, the nozzle assembly water passage 401 is divided into a first high pressure elongated channel 530 and a second high pressure elongated water channel 532. The first and second high pressure channel 530, 532 they are arranged in the same plane and extend substantially parallel to each other. One or both of the high pressure channels 530, 532 may include a passageway in fluid communication with the body of the slide head assembly 544. In this configuration, the water pressure acts to tilt the body of the slide head assembly 544 toward the former. position, described below. In addition, at the first end 512 of the body of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly there are preferably two holes 536 structured to support a pair of guide shafts 540, 542.

That is, at the first end 512 of the body of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly there are a pair of guide shafts, i.e. , the first and second guide shafts 540, 542, extending outward therefrom and generally parallel. to the longitudinal axis of the first end 512 of the body of the body assembly of the nozzles. The first and second guide shafts 540, 542 interact with the slide head assembly 524. The slide head assembly 524 further includes a body 544. The body 544 of the slide head assembly is movably coupled to the elongated guide shafts. first and second 540, 542 of the sliding head assembly and is structured to move between a first extended position, in which the body 544 of the sliding head assembly is spaced from the first end 512 of the body of the nozzle assembly body assembly, and a second position, wherein the slide head assembly body 544 is disposed closer to the first end 512 of the nozzle assembly body assembly body. Preferably, the slide head assembly body 544 defines two passages 546 dimensioned to correspond to the first and second guide axes 540, 542. In this way, the slide head assembly body 544 can be slidably coupled to the axes of the slide. first and second guide 540, 542. In addition, cable 522 of the retraction assembly is coupled to body 544 of the sliding head assembly. Thus, actuation of the cable 522 moves the slide head assembly body 544 about the first and second guide axes 540, 542 and relative to the first end 512 of the nozzle assembly body assembly body.

The slide head assembly body 544 further defines two water passages 546. The water passages 546 in the slide head assembly body terminate at generally lateral nozzles 600, as shown in FIG. 18A. The nozzles 600 can open in the same direction, but could open in opposite directions or in both lateral directions. The slide head assembly 524 further includes a first elongated high pressure tube 550 and a second elongated high pressure water tube 552. The first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552 are coupled to said slide head assembly body 544 . The first and second high pressure channels 530, 532 are sized to house the first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552. In addition, each of the first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552 are coupled to, and in communication of fluid with, one of the high pressure channels 530, 532 and one of the water passages of the body of the sliding head assembly 546. There are gaskets 554 arranged around the first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552 and are located between the first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552 and the first and second high pressure channels 530, 532. In this configuration, as the body 544 of the slide head assembly moves between the first and second positions, the first and second high pressure tubes 550, 552 move in and out of the first and second high pressure channels 530, 532. Finally, it should be noted that the body of the slide head assembly 544 may be protected by a housing 556 that is disposed on the body of the sliding head assembly 544 and coupled to the second end 516 of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly. The slide head assembly body housing 556 has grooves 558 (FIG. 17) through it that are aligned with, and extend in the path of, nozzles 600.

It should be noted that because nozzle assembly 58B does not rotate as the embodiment having nozzle assembly 58A does; the movement of the driveshaft 72 must be a longitudinal movement. That is, in this embodiment, the drive shaft 72 is structured to move longitudinally within the rail 56 between a first position, in which the drive shaft 72 extends from the first end of the rail body 74, and a second position. , wherein the drive shaft 72 is moved toward the second end of the rail body 76. Also, the first end of the drive shaft 82 is a threaded coupling or other type of temporarily attachable coupling. Cable 522 has a first end 526 and a second end 528. The second end of cable 528 is structured to be temporarily attached to the first end of the driveshaft 82. The first end of the driveshaft 82 is temporarily coupled to the second end of the drive shaft. cable 528. Thus, longitudinal movement of drive shaft 72 causes cable 522 to move longitudinally in body member 510 of the nozzle assembly body assembly.

Longitudinal movement of drive shaft 72 is created by oscillator assembly 330. Most of the components of oscillator assembly 330 are the same as described above and similar reference numerals will be used hereinafter. That is, motor assembly 334 and gear assembly 338 are substantially the same as previously described. The notable difference between the previous embodiment and this embodiment is the connection with the drive shaft 72. In the previous embodiment, the drive shaft 72 is necessary to rotate in order to rotate the nozzle assembly 58A. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 72 must move longitudinally. This is accomplished by having a threaded portion 576 at the second end of the driveshaft 84 and having a nut, or threaded collar 570, as described above, disposed between the second end of the driveshaft 84 and the gear set of the set. oscillator 338.

That is, in this embodiment the second end of the driveshaft 84 includes a threaded collar 570. The threaded collar 570 has a keyed outer radial surface 572, preferably square in shape, and a threaded inner surface 574. The outer radial surface 572 of the threaded collar has a shape that corresponds to the keyed opening 344 of the second gear. The second end of the drive shaft 84 also has a threaded portion 576. The threaded portion of the second end of the drive shaft 576 extends beyond the second end of the rail body 76 so that it is exposed. Threaded collar 570 is disposed within the second keyed opening of gear 344. In this configuration, actuation of oscillator motor assembly 334 causes threaded collar 570 to rotate. Therefore, since the threaded portion of the second end of the driveshaft 576 is disposed on, and meshed with, the threaded inner surface of the threaded collar 574, rotation of threaded collar 570 causes the threaded portion of the second end of driveshaft 576 to translate through threaded collar 570. This creates longitudinal movement in driveshaft 72.

For this configuration to work, and the driveshaft segments 94 are not unscrewed from each other, the driveshaft 72 must not rotate. In addition, it is still necessary to know the configuration, and / or position, of the body of the nozzle assembly 500 in the event of power loss. That is, as noted above, the oscillator assembly motor assembly 334 includes an electronic oscillator assembly 450 motor control assembly that is structured to track the location of the nozzle assembly 58. The oscillator assembly 450 motor is electric, a loss of power may cause the oscillator assembly motor control assembly 450 to lose data regarding the position of the nozzle assembly 58B. In this embodiment, both functions are performed by the nozzle position reset device of oscillator assembly 580.

The nozzle position reset device 580 includes a drive shaft extension 582, a movable indicator 584, a fixed indicator 586, and a keyed opening 588. The drive shaft extension 582 extends longitudinally from the second end of the driveshaft 84. The driveshaft extension 582 is keyed and may be an elongated portion of the second end of the driveshaft 82 that extends beyond the threaded portion of the second end of the driveshaft 576. The movable indicator 584 is disposed at the second end of the driveshaft 84 and, more preferably, at that extension of the driveshaft 582. The fixed indicator 586 is disposed adjacent the extension of the driveshaft 582, and may simply be the outer surface of the assembly. oscillator assembly housing 332. Preferably, when the sliding head assembly body 544 is in the first position, the two i Nozzle position reset device indicators 584, 586 are aligned. As drive shaft 72 moves longitudinally toward the second end of rail body 76, thereby moving cable 522 and slider head assembly body 544, the two nozzle position reset device indicators 584, 586 are separated from each other. To reset the position of the slide head assembly body 544, the two nozzle position reset device indicators 584, 586 must be realigned. That is, the oscillator assembly motor 334 is driven in the required direction to realign the two indicators of the nozzle position reset device 584, 586. Therefore, the comparison of the location of the movable indicator 584 with the fixed indicator 586 indicates the position of the drive shaft 72 relative to the rail body 70. In a preferred embodiment, the oscillator assembly housing assembly 332 includes an offset end plate 590 that is spaced from the threaded collar 570 at an axial direction. Offset end plate 590 has keyed opening 588 through it. The offset end plate opening 588 is dimensioned to allow the driveshaft extension 582 to pass through. The fixed indicator 584 is disposed on the offset end plate 590. In addition, the driveshaft extension 582 passing through the opening 588 prevents the driveshaft 72 from rotating. Thus, as the threaded collar 570 rotates, the orientation of the driveshaft 72 is maintained and interaction with the threaded collar 570 causes the driveshaft 72 to move longitudinally.

In both embodiments of the nozzle assembly 58A, 58B, the flow of water must be rotated approximately ninety degrees from the direction that the water travels in the body of the nozzle assembly 400, 500, towards the lateral direction that they face. nozzles 600, as shown in Figure 21. This change in direction, especially close to nozzles 600, can create a turbulent flow resulting in an uneven spray pattern coming out of nozzles 600. flow of water to a generally laminar flow, at least one flow straightener 602 is disposed in at least one nozzle 600. As shown in Figure 22, the flow straightener 602 includes a body 604 having a plurality of passages 606 through through it. The flow straightener passages 606 extend substantially parallel to one another. The at least one body of the flow straightener 604 is preferably a generally circular disk with the passages of the flow straightener 606 extending in an axial direction. Preferably, flow straightener 602 is disposed on at least one of said side nozzles 600, as opposed to an upstream location on the body of nozzle assembly 400, 500. Preferably, each body of flow straightener 604 has a diameter of between about 0.25 and 0.50 cm, and more preferably a diameter of about 0.38 cm. There are preferably between about ten and thirty flow straightening passages 606, and more preferably about nineteen flow straightening passages 606. The flow straightening passages 606 have a diameter of between 0.02 and 0.07 cm, and more preferably 0. , 05 cm.

The mounting assembly 52 is structured to be coupled to the steam generator 10 and to be adjustable so that the slurry lance 50, and more specifically the rail 56, can be aligned with a gap between tubes 25. Preferably, as shown In Figures 23-25, the mounting assembly 52 includes an "L" shaped mounting bracket 700 having a first vertical plate 701, a second horizontal plate 702, as well as a third floating plate 704, and a set of attachment 706. The first plate 701 is structured to be coupled to the inspection opening 32. That is, the inspection opening 32 includes clamping holes used to secure a cover (not shown) to the inspection opening 32. The assembly of Fastener 706 includes fasteners 708 structured to pass through openings (not shown) in first plate 701 and into fastener holes of inspection opening 32. Second plate 702 is attached to the pr imera plate 701 at about a right angle. That is, the second plate 702 extends generally horizontally. Third plate 704 is movably coupled to second plate 702. Fastening assembly 706 is structured to temporarily secure third plate 704 to second plate 702.

That is, the third plate 704 is structured to be adjustable relative to the inspection opening 32 and the second plate 702. For example, the second plate 702 includes two laterally extending slots 710 (Fig. 25). Third plate 704 includes a first threaded opening 712 and a second threaded opening 714 (Fig. 24). The first threaded opening 712 and the second threaded opening 714 are structured to align with one of the lateral extension slots 710 of the second plate when the third plate 704 is disposed on the second plate 702. The fastening assembly 706 includes two threaded buttons 720. Each threaded button 720 is structured to extend upward through one of the laterally extending slots in the second plate 710 and to thread into one of the threaded openings in the third plate 712, 714. In this configuration, the Third plate 704 can be moved laterally relative to second plate 702 and, when a suitable position is reached, threaded buttons 720 can be tightened, thereby temporarily fixing third plate 704 to second plate 702.

Furthermore, the angle of the longitudinal axis of the rail with respect to the inspection opening 32 can be adjusted. That is, the third plate 704 includes a drive assembly coupling 730. The drive assembly coupling 730 is structured to allow the drive assembly 54 to be rotated relative to the third plate 704. That is, the second plate 702 includes an arcuate slot 732 disposed in the longitudinal axis of the second plate 702. The third plate 704 has an upwardly extending tab 734 disposed in the longitudinal axis of the second plate 702. The third plate 704 also has an arcuate groove 735 disposed on the longitudinal axis of the third plate 704. The clamp assembly 706 includes a third threaded knob 720. The actuator assembly 54 has two mounting openings, a first mounting opening 736, (Fig. 14) corresponding to the lug mounting hole 734, and a second threaded mounting opening 738 (FIG. 14), corresponding to threaded button 720. The second mounting opening 738 is structured to align with the second arcuate slot of plate 732 when third plate 704 is disposed on second plate 702. When assembled, drive assembly 54 is disposed on third plate 704 with mounting tab 734 disposed in first opening assembly 736 and the button 720 disposed in threaded, is engaging, the second opening 738. threaded mounting this configuration, the drive assembly 54 can be rotated about the mounting lug 734 until the desired angle is achieved. When drive assembly 54 is aligned, threaded button 720 is passed through second arcuate slot in plate 732 and third arcuate slot in plate 735 and into second mounting opening 738. To temporarily secure assembly drive 54 to the third plate 704, the threaded button 720 is depressed.

The second board 702 and the third board 704 may each have a set of indicators 740, 742 thereon. The mounting assembly indicators 740, 742 are preferably scales or a similar marking. The position of the mounting assembly indicators 740, 742 in relation to each other can be recorded when the slurry lance 50 is used successfully (meaning that the rail 56 is correctly aligned with the tube gap 25) . Thereafter, the second plate 702 and the third plate 704 can be pre-positioned relative to each other according to the recorded positioning the next time the slurry lance 50 is used at that inspection opening 32.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives to those details may be developed in light of the general teachings of the disclosure. Therefore, the particular disclosed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, to which the full breadth of the appended claims and each and every one of their equivalents should be given.

Claims (1)

A miniature slurry lance (50) for use between adjacent tubes (24) in a steam generator (10) when introduced through an inspection opening in a steam generator housing, said slurry lance (50 ) understands: a mounting assembly (52) structured to support a drive assembly (54) and an elongated rail (56); said drive assembly (54) is coupled to said mounting assembly (52), and a nozzle assembly (58) having a body assembly (400) defining a water passage (401), in which said drive assembly (54) is structured to move elongated rail (56) through said inspection opening, said drive assembly (54) coupled to said mounting assembly (52); the elongated rail (56) has a body (70) and a transmission shaft (72), said rail body (70) has a first end (74) and a second end (76), said rail body (70) defines a water passage (78) and a transmission shaft passage (80), said transmission shaft (72) rotatably disposed in said transmission shaft passage (80), said rail body (70) movably coupled to said transmission assembly (54), said rail water passage (78) structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a water supply; said nozzle assembly body assembly (400) is coupled to said rail body (70) with said nozzle assembly water passage (401) being in fluid communication with said rail body water passage (78) ; whereby, when said rail body (70) moves through said inspection opening, said set of nozzles (58) is adapted to pass between adjacent tubes (24) of said steam generator said rail body (70) has lateral sides (194, 196), at least one side of the rail body has a plurality of sprocket holes (200); said drive assembly (54) has a motor (210), a housing assembly (212), a drive sprocket (214) and at least one guide surface (216); said motor has an output shaft (218), said motor (210) being structured to rotate said output shaft, said output shaft being coupled to said drive sprocket (214): said at least one guide surface (216) structured to keep said rail body (70) in contact with said sprocket (214); wherein said rail body (70) is disposed between said guide surface (216) and said sprocket (214) with said sprocket holes (200) meshing the sprocket teeth (215); said drive assembly housing assembly (212) includes an upper case (220) and a lower case (222); said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) movably coupled to each other and structured to translate relative to each other, said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) structured to move about an axis in substantially the same plane; said drive assembly housing assembly (212) includes two elongated guide pin passages (224) and two elongated guide pins (226); said guide pin passages (224) extend through said upper case (220) and said lower case (222); said longitudinal axes of guide pin passages (224) arranged in the same plane and extending substantially parallel to each other; said guide pins (226) disposed in said guide pin passages (224) and coupled to said lower case (222); one of said guide pins (226) includes a pusher assembly (230) having a pusher device (232), a button (234) and a threaded end (228) on the associated guide pin (226); one of said guide pin passages (224) has a portion (238) with a larger diameter so that when a guide pin (226) is disposed in said passage (224) which has the portion (238) with a larger diameter, an annular space (240) is created; said thrust device (232) disposed in said annular space (240); said threaded end of guide pin (228) disposed adjacent said upper case (220); said button (234) has a threaded opening, said button (234) disposed on said threaded end of guide pin (236); said pushing device (232) arranged between the bottom of said annular space (240) and said button (234); and whereby said thrust assembly (230) pushes said upper case (220) and said lower case (222) towards each other, wherein one of said drive sprockets (214) or said at least one guide surface (216) is coupled to the upper case (220) and the other is coupled to the lower case (222). The slurry lance (50) of claim 1, wherein: said nozzle assembly body assembly (400) is elongated and includes at least two side nozzles (600); and wherein said at least two side nozzles (600) are longitudinally spaced from each other in said nozzle assembly body assembly (400), said nozzles (600) being spaced substantially the same distance as between the center line of two tubes adjacent (24). The slurry lance (50) of claim 1, wherein: said elongated rail (56) includes several rail assemblies (90) and a water trap (92); each of said rail assemblies (90) has a drive shaft segment (94) and an elongated body (96); Each of said rail assembly bodies (96) has a first end (98) and a second end (100) and defines a water passage (99) and a transmission shaft passage (101), each of said rail assembly bodies (96) sized to pass between adjacent tubes (24); each of said driveshaft segments (94) has a first end (130) and a second end (132), each of said driveshaft ends (130, 132) is structured to be a coupling (160) ; Said water manifold (92) is structured to be coupled to and fluid communication with a water supply, and has a drive shaft segment (110) and a body (112) with a first end (130 ) and a second end (132) and defining a water passage (99) and a transmission shaft passage (101); said first end of the water collector body (130) coupled to the second end (98) of the rail assembly body (96) disposed at said second end of the rail body (76); and wherein said water collector drive shaft segment (110) and each of the rail assembly drive shaft segments (94) are temporarily fixed together to form said drive shaft (72). The slurry lance (50) of claim 3, wherein: Each of said rail assemblies (90) includes a coupling assembly (160) having a first coupling component (162) disposed at said first end of the rail assembly body (98) and a second coupling component (164 ) arranged at said second end of the body of the rail assembly (100); said coupling assembly (160) is structured to couple said rail assemblies (90) in series; Each of said first rail assembly coupling assembly coupling components (162) includes at least one threaded fastener (164) disposed on said first end of the rail assembly body (98); each of said second rail assembly coupling assembly coupling components (164) includes at least one threaded hole (166) disposed in said second end of the rail assembly body (100); each of said rail assemblies (90) includes a water passage joint (102); and each of said water passage joints (102) disposed at the first end (98) of the body of the associated rail assembly (96), each of said water passage joints (102) structured to hermetically engage a body of the adjacent rail assembly (96). The slurry lance (50) of claim 1, wherein said tubes (24) of said plurality of tubes (24) have a center line and said tube center lines are substantially evenly spaced having a line distance center of the tubes substantially uniform between adjacent tubes (24), and in which: said elongated rail (56) includes a positioning assembly (300), said positioning assembly (300) includes a body (302), a stop (304), an adjustable pointer assembly (306) and a plurality of indicators (308 ); said stop (304) coupled to said first end of the rail body (74) and dimensioned not to pass between adjacent tubes (24); said adjustable pointer assembly (306) movably coupled to said drive assembly (54) adjacent said elongated rail (56) and structured to move in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated rail (56); and said plurality of indicators (308) arranged on said elongated rail (56), said indicators (308) being spaced as a multiple of said distance from the center line of the tube (24). The slurry lance (50) of claim 1, wherein: said elongated rail (56) includes an oscillator assembly (60A) structured to produce cyclical motion; said oscillator assembly (60A) operatively coupled to said driveshaft (72) whereby said driveshaft (72) cyclically moves; said oscillator assembly (60A) includes a housing assembly (212), a motor (210) having an elongated output shaft (218) and a gear assembly (260); said oscillator assembly motor (210) coupled to said oscillator assembly housing assembly (212); said oscillator assembly gear set (260) has a first gear (262) and a second gear (264), said first and second gears (262, 264) being operatively coupled; said first gear (262) attached to said oscillator assembly motor output shaft (218); said second gear (264) has a keyed opening (344); said second end of the driveshaft (84) extends from said elongated rail (56), said second end of the driveshaft (84) is keyed; said keyed end of the keyed driveshaft (84) disposed in said keyed opening of the second gear (344); and whereby said transmission shaft (72) can move axially through said second gear (264). The slurry lance (50) of claim 6, wherein: said body of the nozzle assembly (400) is elongated and includes at least two lateral nozzles (600), said nozzles (600) being in fluid communication with said water passage of the nozzle body (401); said at least two side nozzles (600) are structured to move relative to said elongated rail (56); said nozzle assembly body (401) coupled to said drive shaft (72); and whereby the movement of said transmission shaft (72) causes said nozzle body (401) to move with respect to said elongated rail (56). The slurry lance (50) of claim 7, wherein: said rail body (70) includes a first end fluid passage (410) between said water passage (78) and said drive shaft passage (80), said first end fluid passage (410) disposed in said first end of the rail body (74); said nozzle assembly body (400) is an elongated, substantially hollow, substantially linear tube (402) having a first end (404), a middle portion (406) and a second end (407); said nozzle assembly body (400) is structured to be rotatably coupled to said elongated rail (56) with said second end of the nozzle assembly body (516) and the middle portion of the nozzle assembly body (514) disposed within of said rail body (70) and said first nozzle assembly body end (404) extending from said first rail end (74); at least one fluid port (412) in said middle part of the body of the nozzle assembly (514), said at least one fluid port (412) of the nozzle assembly (58) being positioned in said first end fluid passage of the rail body (98), said fluid port (412) being in fluid communication with said water passage of the nozzle body (401), whereby said at least one fluid port (412) allows communication of fluid between said rail body water passage (78) and said nozzle body water passage (401); wherein said nozzle assembly body (400) is structured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle assembly body (400); said second end of the nozzle body (407) defines a keyed bushing (136); said first end (140) of the transmission shaft being a key (134) corresponding to said keyed bushing (136) of the second end of the body of the nozzle assembly; When said nozzle assembly body (58) is partially disposed on said rail body (70), said first keyed end of the drive shaft (140) is temporarily fixed to said keyed bushing (136) of the second end of the body of the nozzle assembly, whereby rotation of said drive shaft (72) causes said nozzle body (400) to rotate; said oscillator assembly housing assembly (332) includes a keyed bushing insert assembly (430); said keyed bushing insert assembly (430) is structured to engage said drive shaft (72) and to bias said drive shaft (72) toward said first end of the rail body (74); said keyed bushing insert assembly (430) includes a generally tubular keyed body (432), a plunger (434), a pusher device (436) and a cap (438); said outer radial surface of the keyed bushing insert assembly body (432) is shaped to correspond to said keyed opening of the second gear (344), said keyed insert assembly body (432) further has a keyed passage elongated, said keyed opening of the keyed insert assembly body structured to correspond to said second keyed end of the driveshaft (84); said keyed bushing insert assembly plunger (434) disposed in said elongated passageway of the keyed bushing insertion assembly body (440); said keyed bushing insert assembly cover (438) coupled to said keyed bushing insertion assembly body (432) at the rear end of said elongated passageway of the keyed bushing insertion assembly body (440); said keyed bushing insertion assembly pusher device (436) disposed between said keyed bushing insertion assembly plunger (434) and said keyed bushing insertion assembly cover (438) and structured to push said plunger of the keyed assembly insert assembly (434) toward said first end of the rail body (74); and wherein said keyed bushing insert assembly plunger (434) engages said drive shaft (72), thereby urging said drive shaft (72) toward said first end of rail body (74). 9. The lance sludge (50) of claim 8, wherein: said elongated rail (56) includes several rail assemblies (90); each of said rail assemblies (90) has a drive shaft segment (94) and an elongated body (96); Each of said rail mounting bodies (96) has a first end (98) and a second end (100) and defines a water passage (99) and a transmission shaft passage (101), each of said rail assembly bodies (96) sized to pass between adjacent tubes (24); each of said driveshaft segments (94) has a first end (130) and a second end (132), each of said driveshaft ends (130, 132) is structured to be a keyed coupling; and Each of said keyed couplings includes a conical extension (134) and a corresponding conical bushing (136). 10. The lance slurry of claim 8, wherein said set of oscillator (60A) includes a device for resetting the orientation of the nozzles (46) structured to position said body of the nozzle assembly (400) with said nozzles (600) arranged in a selected orientation. 11. The lance sludge (50) of claim 7, wherein: Said nozzle assembly (58) includes an elongated body assembly (400) having a first elongated end (404), a middle portion (406), and a second elongated end (407); said middle part of the nozzle body assembly (406) is arcuate, whereby said first end of the nozzle assembly body assembly (404) and said second end of the nozzle assembly body assembly (407) are arranged in approximately a right angle to each other; said nozzles (600) disposed at said first end of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly (404); said first end of the nozzle assembly body assembly (404) structured to collapse; said nozzle assembly body assembly (400) includes a body member (510) and a retraction assembly (520); said nozzle assembly body assembly body member (510) is substantially rigid and has a first elongated end (512), a middle portion (414), and a second elongated end (516); said middle portion (514) of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly is arcuate, whereby said first end (404) of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly and said second end (407) of the body member of the body assembly of the nozzle assembly are disposed at approximately a right angle to each other; said retraction assembly (520) includes a cable (522) and a sliding head assembly (524); said sliding head assembly (524) movably coupled to said first end of the body of the nozzle assembly body assembly (514) and structured to move longitudinally relative thereto; and said retract assembly cable (522) movably disposed on said nozzle assembly body assembly body member (510) and coupled to said sliding head assembly (524), whereby movement of said nozzle assembly body assembly (524) retraction assembly (522) moves said sliding head assembly (524); and said nozzles (600) disposed on said sliding head assembly (524). 12. The lance sludge (50) of claim 1, wherein said nozzle assembly (58) includes a least a flow straightener (602). 13. The lance sludge (50) of claim 1, wherein: said mounting assembly (700) includes a first vertical plate (701), a second horizontal plate (702), a third floating plate (704) and a fixing assembly (706); said first plate (701) structured to be coupled to said inspection opening (32); said second plate (702) attached to said first plate (701) at an approximately right angle; said third plate (704) movably coupled to said second plate (702); and wherein said fixing assembly (706) is structured to temporarily fix said third plate (704) to said second plate (702).