Abstract: An alignment system is provided for nuclear fuel assemblies in a nuclear core. The core support structure of the nuclear reactor includes upwardly pointing alignment pins arranged in a square grid and engage peripheral depressions formed in the lateral periphery of the lower ends of each of the fuel assemblies of the core. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions are located at the corners of the fuel assemblies so that each depression includes one-quarter of a cylindrical void. Accordingly, each fuel assembly is positioned and aligned by one-quarter of four separate alignment pins which engage the fuel assemblies at their lower exterior corners.

Abstract: A vortex gas separator for the separation of a gas mixture into first and second fractions. The operation of the separator depends on the principle that various gases interact with sorbent substances to greater and lesser degrees. The gas to be separated is tangentially injected into a cylindrical container to create a vortex. The sorbent substance is suspended on the interior of the cylindrical container and interacts with the gases, slowing them down to various degrees. Accordingly, the slowest fraction migrates towards the middle and the fastest fraction is displaced to the circumference. Outlets for the slow fraction and the fast fraction are provided respectively at the axis of the container and at the periphery of the container.

Abstract: A system is provided for the relief of excess pressure from the region above the nuclear reactor core to the cold leg on the occurrence of a loss of coolant accident. This system includes a series of passages connecting the annulus surrounding the exterior of the core barrel with the interior of the outlet nozzle or with the plenum above the reactor core. A flow blocking obstruction, such as a seal band, is held in a flow blocking position by the differential pressure experienced during normal operation of the reactor between the exterior of the core barrel and the exit region of the reactor core. Reversal of the differential pressure, which may be expected upon the occurrence of a loss of coolant accident, removes the flow blocking obstruction to permit the relief of excess pressure which may result at the outlet end of the reactor core.

Abstract: A process for making an adjustable split door frame is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of cladding the front surface of the board with vinyl, grooving a plurality of parallel grooves of various shapes in the back surface of the board down to but not through the vinyl, folding and gluing the board along the grooves, inserting a support member and attaching a hard board to the back surface of the resulting door frame. In addition, a second board is clad, grooved and folded in a similar manner to provide the other half of the split adjustable door frame.

Abstract: An improved surface traversing apparatus is provided in which one anchor or group of anchors is connected with one base, another anchor or group of anchors is connected with another base, each anchor group is movable en bloc transversely of its respective base for lateral movement across the surface of a member to be traversed, and the two bases are movable relative to one another in a direction which moves one finger group alternately toward and away from engagement with a member engaged by the other finger group. The anchors may be selectively expandable fingers which are longitudinally insertable into and retractable from openings in a steam generator tube sheet to provide the engagement therewith.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a piston and cylinder in which the piston is biased axially inwardly of the end of the cylinder to an intermediate position by two bias members respectively on axially opposite sides of the piston. Limit means associated with each respective bias member serve to coact between the respective bias member and the cylinder to limit the inward travel of the respective bias member in the cylinder to establish a constant position at which the piston receives no net biasing force from the two bias members. Each limit means may comprise a flanged cup which moves with the inner end of the bias member and a stop surface in the cylinder for engaging the cup flange to limit its inward movement, and thus the inward movement of the bias member.

Abstract: An improved surface traversing apparatus has an anchor finger selectively movable laterally of another anchor finger into near or substantial alignment with an opening in a member for insertion thereinto and includes one or more of the fingers being mounted to a base portion of the platform by a mounting arrangement which allows one finger to be deflected laterally relative to another finger such that the finger being inserted may deflect into exact alignment with the receiving opening by lateral engagement with the sidewall of the opening. Each finger is resiliently mounted to a connecting member which is, in turn, connected to the base portion of the platform. The resilient mount for each finger normally centers the finger and allows both pivotal and translatory displacement of the finger relative to the connecting member.

Abstract: A system is provided which prevents the operation of a nuclear reactor in a region of a prohibited reactor power distribution. The method of operation includes inhibiting the insertion of control rods into the reactor on the basis of a power dependent control rod insertion limit and further overriding the control of the reactor by rapidly reducing reactor power when reactor power increases to a reactor power which exceeds by a predetermined margin the limit set by the power dependent control rod insertion limit.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine with the rotor having separate power and compressor sections in side-by-side relation secured to the same shaft so that they rotate together and are separated by a separating plate. These sections have, at their outer periphery, members that move laterally into engagement with the wall of the stator within which the rotor rotates. The separating plate rotates with the rotor sections and has an opening through which a compressed gas charge is conveyed from the compressor section into the power section.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine wherein the compression and the power functions are produced by a single rotor with the compression function being achieved by means of vanes that move longitudinally of the axis of rotation of the rotor and cooperate with complimentary recesses and with the power function being achieved by means of members that move laterally of said axis of rotation and cooperate with the periphery of the stator.