Abstract: A method of inspecting a material includes examining a surface of a test material with an eddy current sensor and applying an X-ray fluorescence analysis to the surface of the test material at the same location at which the eddy current examination was performed.

Abstract: Properties and performance of weld material between metals in a weldment is controlled by modifying one or more of the nitrogen content and the carbon content to produce carbide (e.g. MC-type), nitride and/or complex carbide/nitride (e.g. MX-type) type precipitates. Fusion welding includes (i) adjusting shield gas composition to increase nitrogen/carbon gas and nitride/carbide species, (ii) adjusting composition of nitrogen/carbon in materials that participate in molten welding processes, (iii) direct addition of nitrides/carbides (e.g. powder form), controlled addition of nitride/carbide forming elements (e.g. Ti, Al), or addition of elements that increase/impede solubility of nitrogen/carbon or nitride/carbide promoting elements (e.g. Mn), and (iv) other processes, such as use of fluxes and additive materials. Weld materials have improved resistance to different cracking mechanisms (e.g., hot cracking mechanisms and solid state cracking mechanisms) and improved tensile related mechanical properties.

Abstract: Properties and performance of weld material between metals in a weldment is controlled by modifying one or more of the nitrogen content and the carbon content to produce carbide (e.g. MC-type), nitride and/or complex carbide/nitride (e.g. MX-type) type precipitates. Fusion welding includes (i) adjusting shield gas composition to increase nitrogen/carbon gas and nitride/carbide species, (ii) adjusting composition of nitrogen/carbon in materials that participate in molten welding processes, (iii) direct addition of nitrides/carbides (e.g. powder form), controlled addition of nitride/carbide forming elements (e.g. Ti, Al), or addition of elements that increase/impede solubility of nitrogen/carbon or nitride/carbide promoting elements (e.g. Mn), and (iv) other processes, such as use of fluxes and additive materials. Weld materials have improved resistance to different cracking mechanisms (e.g., hot cracking mechanisms and solid state cracking mechanisms) and improved tensile related mechanical properties.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for inspecting composite layers of a first material formed on a second material are provided including providing an illumination source, illuminating at least a portion of the composite at the layer, receiving light reflected from the sample, determining a spectral response from the received light, and comparing the received spectral response to an expected spectral response.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a heating operation on an component by a flame torch, including the steps of producing a flame with the flame torch, rotating the component with respect to the flame so that a circular weld is created on the component, and providing a first sensor that is operatively engaged with the component so that the first sensor monitors rotation or non-rotation of the components.

Abstract: An electromagnet comprises a plurality of nested freestanding electrically insulating former layers, and electrically conductive wire wrapped around the outsides of the freestanding electrically insulating former layers to define a multilayer electrical coil in which adjacent layers of the multilayer electrical coil are spaced apart by intervening freestanding electrically insulating former layers. Electrically energizing the multilayer electrical coil generates a magnetic field inside the multilayer electrical coil. In some embodiments the electrically conductive wire is bare wire not having electrical insulation. In some embodiments the former layers comprise a ceramic material. In some such embodiments the electromagnet further comprises a ferromagnetic core disposed inside the multilayer electrical coil. An electric motor employing such an electromagnet as a stator pole is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for inspecting composite layers of a first material formed on a second material are provided including providing an illumination source, illuminating at least a portion of the composite at the layer, receiving light reflected from the sample, determining a spectral response from the received light, and comparing the received spectral response to an expected spectral response.

Abstract: Properties and performance of weld material between metals in a weldment is controlled by modifying one or more of the nitrogen content and the carbon content to produce carbide (e.g. MC-type), nitride and/or complex carbide/nitride (e.g. MX-type) type precipitates. Fusion welding includes (i) adjusting shield gas composition to increase nitrogen/carbon gas and nitride/carbide species, (ii) adjusting composition of nitrogen/carbon in materials that participate in molten welding processes, (iii) direct addition of nitrides/carbides (e.g. powder form), controlled addition of nitride/carbide forming elements (e.g. Ti, Al), or addition of elements that increase/impede solubility of nitrogen/carbon or nitride/carbide promoting elements (e.g. Mn), and (iv) other processes, such as use of fluxes and additive materials. Weld materials have improved resistance to different cracking mechanisms (e.g., hot cracking mechanisms and solid state cracking mechanisms) and improved tensile related mechanical properties.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.

Abstract: Properties and performance of weld material between metals in a weldment is controlled by modifying one or more of the nitrogen content and the carbon content to produce carbide (e.g. MC-type), nitride and/or complex carbide/nitride (e.g. MX-type) type precipitates. Fusion welding includes (i) adjusting shield gas composition to increase nitrogen/carbon gas and nitride/carbide species, (ii) adjusting composition of nitrogen/carbon in materials that participate in molten welding processes, (iii) direct addition of nitrides/carbides (e.g. powder form), controlled addition of nitride/carbide forming elements (e.g. Ti, Al), or addition of elements that increase/impede solubility of nitrogen/carbon or nitride/carbide promoting elements (e.g. Mn), and (iv) other processes, such as use of fluxes and additive materials. Weld materials have improved resistance to different cracking mechanisms (e.g., hot cracking mechanisms and solid state cracking mechanisms) and improved tensile related mechanical properties.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) includes a lifting rod supporting a control rod and a holding mechanism comprising an electromagnetic circuit with magnetic poles drawn together when the electromagnetic circuit is energized to hold the lifting rod. The hold is released upon de-energizing the electromagnetic circuit. A translation mechanism linearly translates the lifting rod held by the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may include a non-magnetic spacer between the magnetic poles that defines a gap between the drawn together magnetic poles. The translation mechanism may include latches configured to engage an upper end of the lifting rod, and the holding mechanism draws the magnetic poles together to hold the latches engaged with the upper end of the lifting rod. A four-bar cam assembly may be used to cam the latches closed in response to a vertical actuation force applied to the cam bars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining an isotopic property of a sample mass including placing a sample mass on a solid state detector exposing the solid state detector to a neutron flux. The solid state detector is configured to receive fluorescence damage in response to interaction with a fission product produced from fission of at least a portion of the sample mass. The method also including exposing the solid state detector to a light source, measuring the light emissions of the fluorescence damage, and determining an isotopic property of the sample mass based on the light emissions of the fluorescence damage.

Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity.

Abstract: Properties and performance of weld material between metals in a weldment is controlled by modifying one or more of the nitrogen content and the carbon content to produce carbide (e.g. MC-type), nitride and/or complex carbide/nitride (e.g. MX-type) type precipitates. Fusion welding includes (i) adjusting shield gas composition to increase nitrogen/carbon gas and nitride/carbide species, (ii) adjusting composition of nitrogen/carbon in materials that participate in molten welding processes, (iii) direct addition of nitrides/carbides (e.g. powder form), controlled addition of nitride/carbide forming elements (e.g. Ti, Al), or addition of elements that increase/impede solubility of nitrogen/carbon or nitride/carbide promoting elements (e.g. Mn), and (iv) other processes, such as use of fluxes and additive materials. Weld materials have improved resistance to different cracking mechanisms (e.g., hot cracking mechanisms and solid state cracking mechanisms) and improved tensile related mechanical properties.

Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of sensors for beam imaging and, in particular, to a new and useful beam imaging sensor for use in determining, for example, the power density distribution of a beam including, but not limited to, an electron beam or an ion beam. In one embodiment, the beam imaging sensor of the present invention comprises, among other items, a circumferential slit that is either circular, elliptical or polygonal in nature. In another embodiment, the beam imaging sensor of the present invention comprises, among other things, a discontinuous partially circumferential slit. Also disclosed is a method for using the various beams sensor embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a head, a threaded shank extending from a bottom face of the head along a longitudinal axis of the fastener, and an annular flange oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis and surrounding the bottom face of the head. A surface has a receiving hole in which the shank of the threaded fastener is disposed with the bottom face of the head contacting the surface. The surface further has a crimping recess spaced apart from the receiving hole. A portion of the annular flange overlaps and is deformed into the crimping recess. The fastener may be a screw or bolt. In the case of a bolt, a nut engages the distal end of the threaded shank. The nut also includes an annular flange that is deformed into a crimping recess on a surface proximate to the nut.

Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of sensors for beam imaging and, in particular, to a new and useful beam imaging sensor for use in determining, for example, the power density distribution of a beam including, but not limited to, an electron beam or an ion beam. In one embodiment, the beam imaging sensor of the present invention comprises, among other items, a circumferential slit that is either circular, elliptical or polygonal in nature.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.