US 12,243,658 B2
Method and device for replacing sleeves lining nuclear reactor pressure vessel tubes
Wade Markham, Forest, VA (US); and Ryan Melcher, Evington, VA (US)
Assigned to Framatome Inc.
Filed by Framatome Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/096,008.
Application 18/096,008 is a continuation of application No. 17/046,607, granted, now 11,594,343, previously published as PCT/US2018/027668, filed on Apr. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0170103 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 17/017 (2006.01); G21C 7/10 (2006.01); G21C 13/036 (2006.01); G21C 19/20 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 17/017 (2013.01) [G21C 7/10 (2013.01); G21C 13/036 (2013.01); G21C 19/207 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for replacing a sleeve lining a tube passing through a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, the sleeve having an end including a radially enlarged end portion configured for resting on a support section of the tube for retaining the sleeve in the tube, the method comprising:
removing the sleeve from the tube;
providing a new sleeve with a radially variable end configured for being moved between a radially contracted configuration and a radially expanded configuration; and
installing the new sleeve in the tube such that the radially variable end is received by the support section and the radially variable end retains the new sleeve in the tube, the radially variable end being in the radially contracted configuration during installation and being in the radially expanded configuration after the new sleeve is installed in the tube,
the installing of the new sleeve in the tube including, after the new sleeve is placed in the tube, applying a radially outward force to the radially variable end to move the radially variable end into the radially expanded configuration.