Patent ID: 8646416
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: F22B,F28D,F28G

Abstract:
1. A miniature sludge lance for use in a steam generator, said steam generator having a shell defining an enclosed space, at least one primary fluid inlet port, at least one primary fluid outlet port, at least one second fluid inlet port, at least one second fluid outlet port, a plurality of substantially uniformly sized tubes extending between, and in fluid communication with, said at least one primary fluid inlet port and at least one primary fluid outlet port, said tubes disposed in a substantially regular pattern having substantially uniform, narrow gaps between adjacent tubes, said shell having at least one inspection opening disposed adjacent to said plurality of tubes, said sludge lance comprising: a mounting assembly structured to support a drive assembly and a rail; a drive assembly structured to move a rail through said inspection opening, said drive assembly coupled to said mounting assembly; an elongated rail having a body and a drive shaft, said rail body having a first end and a second end, said rail body sized to pass between adjacent tubes, said rail body defining a water passage and a drive shaft passage, said drive shaft rotatably disposed in said drive shaft passage, said rail body movably coupled to said drive assembly, said rail water passage structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a water supply; a nozzle assembly having a body assembly, said nozzle assembly body assembly sized to pass between adjacent tubes, said nozzle assembly body assembly defining a water passage, said nozzle assembly body assembly coupled to said rail body with said nozzle assembly body assembly water passage being in fluid communication with said rail body water passage; whereby, as said rail body is moved through said inspection opening, said nozzle assembly passes between adjacent tubes; said rail body having lateral sides, at least one rail body lateral side having a plurality of sprocket holes; said drive assembly having a motor, a housing assembly, a drive sprocket and at least one guide surface; said motor having an output shaft, said motor structured to rotate said output shaft, said output shaft coupled to said drive sprocket: said at least one guide surface structured to maintain said rail body in contact with said sprocket; wherein, said rail body is disposed between said guide surface and said sprocket with said sprocket holes engaging the sprocket teeth; said drive assembly housing assembly includes an upper case and a lower case; said upper case and said lower case movably coupled to each other and structured to translate relative to each other, said upper case and said lower case structured to move over an axis in substantially the same plane; drive assembly housing assembly includes two elongated guide pin passages and two elongated guide pins; said guide pin passages extending through both said upper case and said lower case; said guide pin passages longitudinal axes disposed in the same plane and extending substantially parallel to each other; said guide pins disposed in said guide pin passages and coupled to said lower case; one said guide pin includes a biasing assembly having a biasing device, a knob, and a threaded end on the associated guide pin; one said guide pin passage having a portion with a wider diameter whereby, when a guide pin is disposed in said passage having a portion with a wider diameter, an annular space is created; said biasing device disposed in said annular space; said guide pin threaded end disposed adjacent said upper case; said knob having a threaded opening, said knob disposed on said guide pin threaded end; said biasing device disposed between the bottom of said annular space and said knob; and whereby said biasing assembly biases said upper case and said lower case toward each other.