Abstract: Method and apparatus for counting nuclear scintillations of a specimen containing tritium. A simple system using a single photomultiplier tube and suitable circuitry segregates the pulses which are emitted from a scintillator due on interaction with a nuclear particle from the pulses attributable to random noise. The system is operable with many scintillation materials as long as the characteristic output from the scintillator is long relative to the duration of a random noise pulse. The preferred embodiment of this radiation assay instrument includes a solid scintillator, a photomultiplier tube whose output is split among a two-path circuit containing a first path for providing an integrated pulse signal as input to a pulse height analyzer and a second path which discriminates based on the number of component pulses in the signal to provide an enable signal to the pulse height analyzer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing valves mounted in parallel for controlling fluid flow powering an expander is disclosed. A large slow acting valve and a smaller faster acting valve are combined to obtain the desired control including a damped response. A start-up control based on shaft speed is further disclosed.

Abstract: The buckets of a turbine wheel are formed as a series of equally spaced, overlapping U-shaped passages in the rim of a wheel blank. In the machining operation, an island is left as the inner segment of the curved portion of the U and this is used in combination with labyrinth seals to provide a fluid seal between the inlet and the outlet portion of each bucket.

Abstract: Differential thermal growth between joined flanged members is accommodated by making proximate pairs of axially extending sawcuts through the flange and into the casings to form elongated tabs which define sawcut springs. By joining the flanged members at the location of some of the sawcut springs, the springs deflect to permit differential thermal growth. Additionally, the flanged members can be maintained in a centered position, even under conditions of thermal growth, by centering the member by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced jackscrews which engage the remainder of the sawcut springs.

Abstract: A thrust bearing has a curved surface machined therein by a cutter which is positioned by a cam as the bearing is rotated. The cam causes the cutter to pivot so that a sloped cut is made rather than a conventional planar cut.

Abstract: A tube pulling apparatus is made up of a frame for receiving a tube, a pair of arm assemblies movably supported by the frame, and a pair of tube gripping assemblies rotatably supported by the arm assemblies and carried by the arm assemblies for movement into and out of engagement with the tube. The tube pulling assembly further comprises motive apparatus connected to each of the arm assemblies for moving the arm assemblies to move the tube gripping assemblies into engagement with the tube, and a spring is connected to the arm assemblies for biasing and urging the arm assemblies to move the tube gripping assemblies out of engagement with the tube. A drive assembly is connected to the tube gripping assemblies for rotating the tube gripping assemblies to pull the tube.

Abstract: The clearance necessary for the assembly of the nozzle ring of an axial flow steam turbine is localized through a temporary bolting. The localized clearance is compartmentalized by making a generally radially extending hole centered on the clearance at the circumferential location of the boundary between each pair of adjacent nozzle banks. Pins are driven into the holes and provide a seal between adjacent nozzle banks.

Abstract: A dual polarity terminal for a water-cooled, kickless welding cable having a plurality of electrical conductors, each half terminal having one half of the electrical conductors fixedly crimped thereto in a single manufacturing step. A series of overlapping bore openings in the end face of each half terminal form a socket which is mechanically welded to the sidewall of the half terminal in a press. A particularly shaped lie leaves an axially-extending depression near the rear of the half terminal which acts as a water passageway. An insulating strip electrically isolates the two halves of the dual polarity terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating operation of a heat pump and a separate heating source are disclosed. The combination of a heating lockout relay and an interlock relay are utilized to provide for fail safe integrated operation including providing for selected control functions and for isolating other functions to prevent a failed electrical component from operating the system in an undesirable manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a heat exchange unit for securing a heat exchanger assembly to the remaining components of the unit. A pin which acts to secure a tubular member and a lateral support to either a fan assembly or a base pan is disclosed. This pin has an insertion portion having pin teeth which is inserted into a tube for securing the pin to the tube, a spacer portion for locating in a fixed relationship a lateral support relative to the heat exchange unit and a top portion for securing the pin to the component to which it is being fastened.

Abstract: The cutter blade and mandrel of a tube cutter coact through sloped surfaces having a tongue-and-groove connection. Relative axial movement between the mandrel and cutter blade causes the cutter blade to move radially inward or outward and the tongue-and-groove connection permits the mandrel and cutter blade to rotate as a unit to thereby increase the effective cutter height of the blade by the height of the underlying mandrel.

Abstract: In an admission valve structure for a turbine all of the valves except the first opening one are spring biased closed, when seated. Because of the sequential opening of the valves, the valve closing bias of each spring acts as an opening bias relative to all earlier opening valves until that valve is opened. The combined spring forces act to open at least some of the valves thus permitting the governor to attain minimum speed once the throttle valve is opened in the steam header.

Abstract: A hub is mounted or dismounted by the use of hydraulic pressure with the hub being the only movable member. Either of two seals of different diameters are used in conjunction with a third seal of an intermediate diameter so as to establish a differential annular area between the two seals in use. Depending upon which pair of seals is used, hydraulic pressure tends to either force the hub onto or off of the shaft.

Abstract: Method of assembly of a heat exchange unit wherein an annular orifice having a U-shaped cross section is assembled to a heat exchange assembly. The grille of the unit is supported on a support ledge of the fan orifice. An annular top cover having an L-shaped cross section may be engaged to the fan orifice to define a control area space therebetween. The top cover engages a top cover support ledge of the fan orifice and the grille engages a grille support ledge of the fan orifice to form a subassembly.

Abstract: A rotor assembly and methods for securing rotor blades within and removing rotor blades from rotor assemblies. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor disc defining a plurality of blade grooves, and including a plurality of tenons disposed between the blade grooves and defining a plurality of pin sockets radially extending inward from outside surfaces of the tenons; and a plurality of rotor blades, each blade including a root disposed within a blade groove to secure the blade against radial movement, and a blade platform overlaying a tenon and defining a radially extending pin aperture. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of locking pins radially extending through the pin apertures and into the pin sockets to secure the rotor blades against axial movement, each pin including a head and a base to limit radial movement of the pin.

Abstract: Assembly and disassembly methods and apparatus for a rotary machine. According to a first aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling a disc end bearing and an intermediate bearing housing of the rotary machine. According to a second aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling a bearing lifting frame and a removable fluid casing section of the rotary machine. According to a third aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling an impeller rotor of the rotary machine.

Abstract: The load on the starting steam turbine or motor which drives the power recovery string of an FCC process is reduced on the order of 15% by increasing the specific volume of the air compressed by a fixed volume compressor in the string. The specific volume of the ambient air is increased by returning a portion of the compressed and thereby heated air to the inlet of the compressor in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the inlet air about 75.degree. F., or more.

Abstract: A method of operating an air conditioning system including a refrigeration circuit having a compressor and a thermostat for sensing heating and cooling needs together with an indoor fan is disclosed. The indoor fan operation is controlled based upon a microprocessor control remembering whether or not the unit was in continuous fan operation prior to the compressor operating to satisfy a heating or cooling need. Through the setting of a flag the microprocessor remembers the previous inputs such that operation of the fan may be controlled regardless of the condition of the compressor especially as concerns operation of the fan when the compressor is prevented from operating due to a safety, overload or timed off condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting self-test of a thermostat is disclosed. The permissible thermostat outputs are arranged into an array capable of being converted into a binary number. Testing is done to determine whether or not the binary number ascertained falls into a known legal array of binary numbers for permissible thermostat outputs. If the testing indicates a fault condition then the fault is indicated and operation may be discontinued.