Abstract: A functional door cartridge for use in a motor vehicle door assembly is disclosed. The cartridge consists of a skeleton frame forming the general outline of a door. A portion of the frame also serves as glass guides for the window glass. Another portion of the frame serves as a guide for the window regulator lift plate. All moving components of the door assembly such as the window, door latch, window regulator, interior and exterior door handles and latch rods are mounted to the functional door cartridge which can be assembled in a horizontal position rather than the typical upright position used to assemble doors. After assembly, all functions of the door are fully tested before the door cartridge is inserted into an exterior door panel to complete the door assembly. In one embodiment the cartridge is pivoted about mounting studs to facilitate proper alignment with the door panel.

Abstract: A material transporting system is disclosed. The material transport system includes a self-propelled material conveying system which is capable of traversing a surface along an elongated path which has a curvillinear portion. This system also includes a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on the surface which lies along a portion of the elongated path. Each of the plurality of framework members is connected by connector means on each framework member cooperable with connector means on each adjacent framework member. Each connector means permits universal-type movement between adjacent framework members. The framework members include means for supporting an orbitally movable crawler chain in engagement with the surface. The crawler chain is designed to extend throughout the longitudinal extent of the train. Each of the framework members has means for supporting an orbitally movable conveyor belt above the orbitaly movable crawler chain.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot comubstion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack which can be operated with cells in a horizontal position so that the fuel cell stack does not have to be taken out of operation when adding an electrolyte such as an acid. Acid is supplied to each matrix in a stack of fuel cells at a uniform, low pressure so that the matrix can either be filled initially or replenished with acid lost in operation of the cell, without exceeding the bubble pressure of the matrix or the flooding pressure of the electrodes on either side of the matrix. Acid control to each cell is achieved by restricting and offsetting the opening of electrolyte fill holes in the matrix relative to openings in the plates which sandwich the matrix and electrodes therebetween.

Abstract: A mining machine for performing a continuous mining operation in hard rock. The operating portions of the machine are mounted on substantial deck sections hingedly connected to each other to promote maneuverability of the machine in confined spaces. A mining implement capable of breaking ore from the solid is mounted on a rotatable, extensible boom and broken ore is collected by power operated means also provided on the machine. The machine may be adapted for remote operation through a remote hydraulic and/or electric control and may be provided with optional wheels or alternatively may be self propelled.

Abstract: A fluid circulation system for heat exchangers having two groups of tubes through which primary and secondary fluids flow, the tubes of one group being interdigitated with the tubes of the other group, and a heat transfer material interposed between the two groups of tubes, whereby heat is transferred from the primary fluid through the heat transfer material to the secondary fluid. A shell forms a closure around the tubes and the heat transfer material, and the shell has tertiary fluid inlet and outlet means. Openings in the heat transfer material form passageways through which the tertiary fluid can flow from the inlet means, through the heat exchanger, to the outlet means. Piping connects the tertiary fluid outlet means to the tertiary fluid inlet means, forming a complete cycle. Installed in this piping is a heat removal system. If the secondary fluid flow is interrupted, the tertiary fluid provides a redundant means by which the heat of the primary fluid can be removed from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: 1. A nuclear engine and nozzle arrangement for a nuclear rocket, said arrangement comprising a cluster of elongated fissile fuel bearing and high temperature capacity modules suitably supported in a pressure vessel, said modules each having a plurality of coolant-propellant channels extending therethrough, a convergent-divergent nozzle structure of fixed cross-sectional dimensions secured to the end portion of each of said modules said modules, a divergent-only unitary skirt member connected directly to the propellant exit end of said modular cluster in series with and diverging from the divergent ends of said convergent-divergent nozzle structures, said modules being formed to conduct a compressible propellant therethrough at sub-sonic velocities, said nozzle structures being formed to develop supersonic velocities of the propellant and said divergent-only skirt being formed to develop further the supersonic velocities of said propellant.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are formed of coal and water. The water is converted or dissociated separately into hydrogen and oxygen in a first chemical reactor by thermochemical and/or electrolytic processing. The resulting hydrogen is then reacted with the coal in a second reactor to produce the hydrocarbons. Residual carbon from the second reactor is reacted in a third reactor with oxygen derived from the first reactor to produce carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is reacted with residual hydrogen from the second reactor or hydrogen from the first reactor to produce additional hydrocarbons. The energy for the endothermic and/or electrolytic processing in the reactors and for auxiliary equipment of the apparatus is supplied by a very high-temperature, gas-cooled, nuclear reactor by heat interchange with the cooling gas, helium. The cooling gas operates through heat-exchange means which isolates the cooling gas from the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the concentration of fission products in the reactor coolant of a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor. Reactor coolant is bypassed at constant temperatures and constant velocity through a flow sampling system containing a sampling tube. After a period of time, the sampling tube is isolated and removed from the bypass system; the liquid metal coolant is removed from the tube; and, the radionuclides deposited on the sampling tube are measured by gamma spectroscopy. The concentration of fission products in the reactor coolant is then determined from the measured radioactivity of the deposited nuclides.