Method and apparatus for an expanding split bushing pipe plug assembly

摘要

A method and apparatus for securely fastening a pipe collar or a bracket to a riser pipe of a boiling water reactor (BWR) jet pump assembly. A pipe plug assembly includes an angled pipe plug that acts as a wedge to expand a bushing assembly as the pipe plug is drawn into the overall pipe plug assembly. Expansion of the bushing assembly allows a tight tolerance to exist between an outer diameter of the pipe plug and an inner diameter of the collar/bracket and riser pipe. Expansion of the bushing assembly allows a straight hole to be match drilled into the collar/bracket and riser pipe, thereby avoiding a more complicated tapered hole to be drilled into the collar/bracket and riser pipe. An ensuing tight fit between the pipe plug assembly, the collar/bracket and the riser pipe mitigates vibration of components and minimizes leakage to acceptable levels for use in the flooded environment of the annulus region where the jet pump assembly exists in the BWR.

主权项

1. An expandable pipe plug assembly comprising:
a main plug with a first end and a second end, a ratchet nut on the first end of the main plug, a pipe plug on the second end of the main plug, the pipe plug being connected to the ratchet nut via a plug bolt, the ratchet nut configurable to tighten hold of the plug bolt to draw the plug bolt and the pipe plug toward the main plug, and an expandable bushing assembly between the main plug and the pipe plug, the expandable bushing assembly having a longitudinal length with a first end facing the pipe plug and a second end facing the main plug, the expandable bushing assembly being configured to radially expand along the longitudinal length such that the first end and the second end are configured to expand as the pipe plug is drawn toward the main plug, the expandable bushing assembly not being permanently affixed to the main plug.