Patent ID: 8335292

Claim:
A jet pump diffuser weld repair device operable on a jet pump diffuser including pockets formed in an exterior surface of the diffuser on opposite sides of a weld to be repaired, the weld repair device comprising: a lower ring section and an upper ring section respectively sized to fit entirely around a circumference of the diffuser on opposite sides of the weld to be repaired, the lower and upper ring sections including a plurality of aligned gripper slots formed in an inner circumference of the lower and upper ring sections; a corresponding plurality of grippers fit into the gripper slots and facing radially inward toward the diffuser, wherein the grippers comprise double-tapered cam surfaces respectively engaging the lower ring section and the upper ring section, the double-tapered cam surfaces being tapered radially outward from axially distal ends of the grippers toward a central apex to drive the grippers radially inward as the lower and upper ring sections are drawn toward each other; and a plurality of connector bolts secured between the lower ring section and the upper ring section, wherein tightening the connector bolts draws the lower and upper ring sections toward each other, wherein the grippers comprise engaging lugs shaped to fit in the pockets formed on the opposite sides of the weld.