INVADER Press Release
Patent Pending
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. reports two very successful live deployments of its INVADER (In Vessel Annulus Data Evaluation Robot). After passing an extremely rigorous Test Specification and Procedure (TS&P) the GENE test facility in San Jose, CA in June 2006, INVADER was deployed at Dresden Station by R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. in the fall of 2006, and most recently by GENE at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station this spring.
The Dresden deployment involved the successful completion of over 20 IVVI activities within the fuel move critical path window. Inspections included EVT-1, VT-1, and VT-3 for jet pumps, core spray, feedwater, main steam lines and dryer support lugs.
The most recent deployment with R.O.V. partner GENE at Grand Gulf this spring involved in excess of 100 IVVI activities within the fuel move critical path window. It is important to note that each activity can be comprised of multiple inspections. Inspections included EVT-1, VT-1 and VT-3 requirements for jet pumps, core spray, feedwater, shroud welds and all cladding inspections encompassing the annulus baffle plate to the separator guide rod brackets.
Both the installation and removal of INVADER at Grand Gulf were scheduled off of critical path. All remote operations and controls were performed from a clean area, resulting in a significant radiological dose savings to Grand Gulf versus current IVVI inspection methods.
With the implementation of R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. latest color camera technology, the entire inspection program at Grand Gulf was accomplished with zero camera failures.
INVADER has been jointly developed by R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. with its partners, Exelon Power Generation and GENE. INVADER is designed to accomplish IVVI inspections during fuel moves - without interfering with critical path activities. Additionally, INVADER is operated remotely from a clean area, therefore allowing customers to realize significant ALARA benefits.
For further information about INVADER, and additional products and services available from R.O.V. Technologies, Inc., please contact Don Butler, Peter Zachary or Jack Judge at (802) 254-9353, or email mail@rovtech.com. R.O.V. Technologies is a Vermont-based, privately held veteran-owned Corporation.
Pole Camera System Press Release
New Pole Camera Offering
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. announces the introduction of its new Pole Camera System. The System’s standard configuration includes a pan, tilt, zoom and focus (PTZ-F) camera with high intensity, soft lighting; all housed in a very small, easily transportable package.
The R.O.V. Pole Camera System is designed for easier accessibility into tight areas, such as the jet pump riser brace area. The design also addresses an industry wide issue of field camera failures. R.O.V. has engineered this system to be more dependable, and much more resistant to failures that commonly occur in the field as a result of radiation, heat, and water leakage.
This latest camera technology is adapted from R.O.V.’s INVADER (patent pending) system and offers sharp, clear, s-video, EVT-1 quality color images at a distance of 8 inches or more, with VT-3 at 36 inches. Incorporated into the unit is an approximately 400° pan feature.
The system includes clutch protected pan and tilt motors, and it is controlled through a 150 foot umbilical. The user friendly control console includes camera and light controls, a DVD recorder with audio, titler, keyboard, two s-video outputs, and a 15 inch high resolution LCD color monitor.
For further information about the new Pole Camera System, as well as additional products and services available from R.O.V. Technologies, Inc., please contact Don Butler or Jack Judge at (802) 254-9353, or email mail@rovtech.com. R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. is a Vermont-based, privately held veteran-owned Corporation.
Ribbon Lift Crawler Press Release
At Power Entry Solutions
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. announces its new Ribbon Lift Crawler. The Ribbon Lift Crawler is designed specifically for PWR At-Power Entries. Most entries are in response to suspected steam leaks, to search for boron deposits or inconel 600 weld flaws.
The crawler may also be deployed to assist with inspections of any system component anomalies or data gathering for project repair and/or planning, while the plant is on line.
The crawler’s small but stable platform allows it to maneuver into tight areas and deploy a twenty-six foot mast through piping runs in order to investigate areas such as the reactor coolant pumps, steam generators, pressurizers and associated piping.
The ribbon lift was developed as part of R.O.V.’s INVADER (patent pending) technology. It is an extendable mast, which is deployed from an approximate one-foot container. The container houses three engineered ribbons that interlock when deployed creating a rigid triangular mast. The mast can be extended up to twenty-six feet vertical or horizontal in water or air applications. Due to its small size, the ribbon lift, outfitted with a radiation tolerant, color, pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) camera, is easily mounted to the turret of a standard R.O.V. Scarab I crawler. When the ribbon lift is retracted, the interlocked sections are unlocked and rolled into three sections within the container, positioned for further deployment.
For further information about the Ribbon Lift Crawler, and additional products and services available from R.O.V. Technologies, Inc., please contact Don Butler or Jack Judge at (802) 254-9353, or email mail@rovtech.com. R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. is a Vermont-based, privately held veteran-owned Corporation.
Two Inch Side View Camera System Press Release
Vision in High Dose Areas
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. announces the release of its specially designed Two Inch Side View Camera for viewing in high radiation dose areas; particularly tight, hard to reach areas. The color camera is housed in a two inch diameter proprietary shielded housing. The camera is capable of being deployed via a pole or a float can system.
The camera lens itself is isolated from gamma rays through the incorporation of a right angle, first surface mirror. The camera module is high resolution, EVT-1 quality, fixed view with focus features. The housing incorporates an approximately 400° pan feature central to the axis of the mirror.
Cabling is enclosed in a thick, durable, semi-flexible hose. The cable is 36 feet in length and is sealed to the housing end cap. The opposite cable end terminates at a user-friendly control console.
The control console is a standard R.O.V. console used for pole camera systems, and includes camera and light controls, a DVD recorder with audio, titler and keyboard, two s-video outputs and a 19 inch Sony LCD color monitor.
For further information about the new Two Inch Side View Camera, as well as additional products and services available from R.O.V. Technologies, Inc., please contact Don Butler or Jack Judge at (802) 254-9353, or email mail@rovtech.com. R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. is a Vermont-based, privately held veteran-owned Corporation.
Weld Cleaning Products Press Release
Innovation in Weld Cleaning
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. announces its latest generation of Weld Cleaning products. The technology is available in two configurations: as an attachment to the standard R.O.V. mini-submersible, and pole operated.
These products are designed to clean welds for EVT-1 and VT-1 during the IVVI window.
Both weld cleaning options include a weld brush assembly consisting of a small but rugged clutch protected tilt assembly with 270 degrees of articulation, connected to a brush rotate assembly that has variable speeds from 0 rpm to approximately 800 rpm. The brush rotate assembly can operate in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions. A uniquely tapered bristle brush attached to the brush rotate assembly allows access into tight corners and angles.
Pole Mounted Weld Cleaner
The Pole Mounted Weld Cleaner is designed to be a lightweight, small profile unit with valuable features not found in currently available weld cleaning systems. It’s size and weight allows for easy access into reactor vessel annulus areas without the use of pole-mounted flotation. The unit measures approximately 11 inches long and 6 inches wide, and weighs approximately 10 pounds out of water, making it very user friendly and easily transportable.
The Pole Mounted Weld Cleaner is controlled through the use of an easy-to-operate miniature control console. The control console houses controls for the tilt and rotate functions. It’s footprint is compact - 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 9 inches high, and weighs approximately 20 pounds. Operation can be from this control console as well as from an optional rail mounted pendant. The optional rail mounted pendant is user friendly and measures only 9 inches long by 5 inches wide, and weighs approximately three pounds, offering the operator much more flexibility in an easy to use package.
Mini-Submersible Mounted Weld Cleaner
The Mini-Submersible Mounted Weld Cleaner is designed to attach central to the standard R.O.V. mini-submersible to deploy the weld brush assembly underneath the sub on one of three standard pole lengths. This mounting feature enables weld cleaning activities to take place from a remote location, providing significant ALARA benefits. Also, the operation does not interfere with other reactor vessel critical path activities, such as fuel moves.
An on-board color camera and light assembly with 10X zoom capability is used to view the weld brush operation in real time, enabling the operator to make on the spot decisions regarding cleanliness results. This is a significant time saver versus traditional methods, which involve a separate operation and an additional operator to lower a camera into the area being cleaned to determine results.
The control console consists of two high resolution color monitors and houses controls for tilt, rotate, speed, rotate direction, zoom, focus and lights. The console is a rugged, anvil style shipping container. Detachable covers are included.
The cable interface between the both weld cleaning assemblies and their consoles is specially designed for the weld cleaning applications. It is a durable, but lightweight cable that provides DC power, a safer alternative to the commonly used AC power.
For further information about the new generation of Weld Cleaners, and additional products and services available from R.O.V. Technologies, Inc., please contact Don Butler or Jack Judge at (802) 254-9353, or email mail@rovtech.com. R.O.V. Technologies, Inc. is a Vermont-based, privately held veteran-owned Corporation.