Patent ID: 7788867

Claim:
A flooring system for intercepting debris in a nuclear power plant, comprising: a transition plenum disposed between a sump strainer of the nuclear power plant and an associated sump; and a plurality of floor tiles operatively connected to the transition plenum; wherein each floor tile includes: a plurality of frame tubes; a perforated top surface; and a substantially open bottom surface; wherein the plurality of frame tubes of each floor tile are connected side-by-side to form a suction area, associated with that floor tile, for fluid of the nuclear power plant, wherein each frame tube includes: a top member; a bottom member; and side members; wherein the top members, bottom members, and side members form sidewall windows associated with each floor tile, wherein the sidewall windows of each floor tile are configured to allow flow of the fluid, in and out of the suction area, in substantially any horizontal direction, wherein the sidewall windows of each floor tile are configured to allow the fluid to pass from the suction area of each floor tile, through one or more of the sidewall windows, to the transition plenum, wherein the perforated top surface of each floor tile is provided on a top of the plurality of frame tubes associated with that floor tile, wherein the perforated top surface of each floor tile is configured to allow the fluid to enter the suction area associated with that floor tile, wherein the perforated top surface of each floor tile is configured to intercept the debris attempting to enter the suction area associated with that floor tile, wherein the transition plenum is configured to direct the fluid from the sump strainer to the sump, and wherein the transition plenum is configured to direct the fluid from the suction area of each floor tile to the sump.