System for removing a plug from a heat exchanger tube

Pipes and tubular conduits – With closures and plugs – Inflation stem type

Patent

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Details

138 97, 165 71, 29890031, F16L 5510

Patent

active

052557170

ABSTRACT:
An improved, easily removable plug for plugging the open end of a heat exchanger tube in a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. The plug generally comprises a cylindrical shell of Inconel.RTM. having tapered side walls, a closed end, an open end, a cork-shaped expander element disposed within the shell that radially expands the tapered side walls of the shell into sealing engagement with the inner walls of a tube when axially drawn from the closed to the open end of the shell, and a wall section in the interior of the shell between the closed end and the tapered side walls for receiving the expander element when this element is pushed back from the open end of the shell back against the closed end thereof, thereby affording clear mechanical access to the interior of the tapered side walls of the shell. The improved plug is particularly adapted for use with a plug removal system that includes an expander remover that axially pushes the expander element backward against the closed end of the shell, a TIG torch for creating axially oriented weld beads within the interior of the tapered side walls of the shell in order to contract these side walls and to relax the engagement between the plug and the heat exchanger tube, and a plug puller that pulls the plug from the tube.

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