Abstract: Elongated coolant pumps suspended under steam generators within containment in a power plant with limited access space, are removed and replaced by an elongated maintenance cart with an elongated opening along one side in which the motor is received. Rollers support the cart for conveying the elongated motor in an upright position out from under the steam generator and onto an elevator. The elevator is lowered to transfer support of the cart and motor through trunnions to saddles straddling the elevator for rotation of the cart to a generally horizontal position. The elevator then raises the horizontally disposed cart carrying the motor to a higher floor where it is rolled off the elevator and out through the auxiliary equipment hatch.

Abstract: A tank especially suited for nuclear applications is disclosed. The tank comprises a tank shell for protectively surrounding the liquid contained therein; an inlet positioned on the tank for passing a liquid into the tank; a sump positioned in an interior portion of the tank for forming a reservoir of the liquid; a sloped incline for resting the tank thereon and for creating a natural flow of the liquid toward the sump; a pump disposed adjacent the tank for pumping the liquid; and a pipe attached to the pump and extending into the sump for passing the liquid therethrough. The pump pumps the liquid in the sump through the pipe and into the pump for discharging the liquid out of the tank.

Abstract: A method for detecting low level of alkylbenzene or mineral oil impurity in polyol ester lubricants for compressors. This method comprises mixing a mixture of alcohol and water with a sample of the lubricant and then observe the presence or absence of turbidity.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electronic trip device which responds to sputtering arc-type faults. Level detectors compare the current in the protected circuit to a plurality of threshold levels and timers time the intervals that the current remains above each threshold, with the threshold levels and intervals selected to generate a response envelope for a trip signal which approximates, with a selected margin, the response of the protected circuit to introduction of a selected inductive load such as the starting of a motor into the circuit. If the sensed current falls below a threshold level which was being timed, the associated timer is not cleared unless the current falls below the lowest threshold, so that if the sensed current increases above the associated threshold, timing resumes where it left off, and a trip signal will be generated sooner than for an initial excursion above the threshold. Both analog and digital timer implementations are presented.

Abstract: In the method of operating an electrochemical cell generator apparatus containing a generator chamber (20) containing an array of cells (12) having interior and exterior electrodes with solid electrolyte between the electrodes, where a hot gas (F) contacts the outside of the cells (12) and the generating chamber normally operates at over 850.degree. C., where N.sub.2 gas is fed to contact the interior electrode of the cells (12) in any case when the generating chamber (20) temperature drops for whatever reason to within the range of from 550.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., to eliminate cracking within the cells (12).

Abstract: A device, system and method of image processing and compression are preferably used with second generation infrared (IR) detector arrays where the pixel size is less than the optical blur of the system. Raw input pixels are compressed such that output pixels are more closely matched to the optical blur of the system. Further, the number of output pixels are compressed from a greater number of input pixels, based upon a selected input-to-output compression ratio. The ratio is not constrained to be of an integer value. The compression takes place using a plurality of neighborhood processors, each corresponding to a different output pixel type. Each neighborhood processor contains a plurality of different predetermined weighed fractions of input pixel data and are used to produce compressed output pixel data, based upon the selected input-to-output compression ratio and the output pixel type, for real-time processing.

Abstract: A synchronous machine is protected from closely spaced instances of excessive field current and an excessive volts/hertz ratio by a control system which models rotor and stator cooling to provide memory of recent periods of excessive heating. Maximum excitation limiting and volts/hertz ratio limiting modules in a microprocessor based automatic voltage regulator for the machine generate time delayed limit signals which override voltage feedback control when the respective parameters exceed threshold values. The limiters each increment a count when the associated threshold value is exceeded and generate the associated limit signal when a predetermined count is reached. The predetermined counts and the counting rates are selected such that the delay intervals are inversely proportional to the amount by which the threshold values are exceeded. The counts are decremented at a rate which models rotor and stator cooling when the respective parameters return below the threshold values.

Abstract: An improved phased array radar system has a plurality of bias binary fiber optic delay lines each connected between the transmit/receive cells and at least one of signal input means and signal processing means. A plurality of electronic binary delay lines are connected to at least one of the signal input means and the signal processing means and each bias binary fiber optic delay line.

Abstract: An elongated retainer member pivotally mounted on the auxiliary contact operating mechanism of a drawout circuit breaker maintains a positive connection for the mechanism with the channel assembly of the motion transfer assembly which actuates auxiliary contacts mounted on the cabinet wall of metal-clad switch gear.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes an interlock which prevents the operating handle from being moved from the on position after the main contacts have been welded together. By preventing the operating handle from being moved from the on position during such a condition, the operating handle will indicate the correct status of the main contacts and the operator will be made aware that the main contacts are welded together.

Abstract: A circuit for producing an output signal representative of the phase angle of a single phase input signal includes a phase shift generator for receiving a single phase input signal and for generating a quadrature signal and a direct signal in response to the single phase input signal, and a phase locked loop coupled to the phase shift generator for generating an output signal in response to the quadrature and direct signals such that the output signal is phase locked with the single phase input signal. A method is also provided for producing an output signal representative of the phase angle of a single phase input signal, comprising the steps of: receiving a single phase input signal; generating a quadrature signal and a direct signal in response to the single phase input signal; and generating an output signal in response to the direct and quadrature signals, such that the output signal is phase locked with the single phase input signal.

Abstract: Instrumentation for nuclear reactor head-mounted incore instrumentation systems fabricated of low nuclear cross section materials (i.e., zirconium or titanium). The instrumentation emits less radiation than that fabricated of conventional materials.

Abstract: High velocity reactor coolant water in a boiling water reactor or a pressurized water reactor transports radioactive ions and particles from a nuclear reactor vessel to the balance of the reactor coolant system where they deposit on chromium (III) oxide-containing surfaces. These radioactive deposits are removed in a dilute chemical decontamination process wherein permanganate ion-containing reactor coolant water is circulated throughout a reactor coolant system to oxidize chromium (III) oxide surfaces of the system to chromium (IV) oxide. Formic acid is added to the permanganate ion-containing reactor coolant water and then the formic acid-containing water is circulated throughout the reactor coolant system to reduce unreacted permanganate ions in the reactor coolant water to manganous ions.

Abstract: Real time periodic messages generated by a plurality of stations on a data communication network and having data periods ranging from a shortest to a longest, where the longest data period is an integer multiple of all the others, are assigned by a server station to transmit time slots, equal in duration to the shortest data period, on a global basis to minimize the number of messages transmitted by all stations during each transmit time slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing and installing a control rod drive includes a first chain and a second chain. Each chain has a plurality of links, which have a pivotable portion and a rigid portion, for allowing the first chain to bend in a single direction and the second chain to bend in a single direction. The rigid portion of the second chain is positioned adjacent to and contacts the rigid portion of the first chain for providing a rigid column. An end block retains the first ends of the first and second chains and a drive mechanism draws the first and second chains through the drive mechanism, for moving the control rod drive. The control rod drive handling equipment may also include at least one first, at least one second, and at least one third chain guide for supporting the first and second chains, at least one wheel attached to the second chain guide, and a plurality of pins positioned through apertures of adjacently positioned links of the first and the second chains.

Abstract: A variable reluctance acoustic projector includes a piston structure that provides rigid retention and precise alignment of electromagnetic cores within the projector housing. The piston structure provides a pair of metallic piston blocks having cavities in which the electromagnetic cores are mounted. The piston blocks rigidly retain the electromagnetic cores within the cavities by compressive loading, improving the structural reliability of the device. In addition, the piston blocks enable precise alignment and orientation of the pole faces of opposing electromagnetic cores parallel to one another. Flexure ribs formed in the piston blocks increase the compliance of the blocks to substantially confine motion of the piston blocks to translation along a single axis of actuation during excitation of the electromagnetic cores.

Abstract: A side looking sonar transducer having a plurality of active elements forming an elongated active radiating, or receiving surface wherein the active elements at the ends of the transducer have a lesser depression angle than the active elements at the middle. This arrangement provides an energy distribution which allows for a greater depth of focus.

Abstract: Fuel assembly including deflector vanes for deflecting a component of a fluid stream flowing past such fuel assembly. The fuel assembly comprises a lattice member having rhombic-shaped rod cells and generally rhombic-shaped thimble cells therethrough. A plurality of parallel fuel rods extend through respective ones of the rod cells and a plurality of parallel control rod guide thimble tubes extend through respective ones of the thimble cells. A plurality of deflector vanes are associated with each rod cell and are integrally attached thereto on the upstream edge of each rod cell. Each deflector vane extends above its associated rod cell and curvilinearly protrudes partially over the rod cell for deflecting a component of the fluid stream onto the exterior surface of the fuel rod that extends through the rod cell.

Abstract: Microprocessor based apparatus for controlling an electrical load, such as a motor, includes an external capacitor for storing an analog equivalent of a digitally modeled heat state signal, such as the I.sup.2 t characteristic of the motor. The voltage on the capacitor decays to mimic motor cooling when the microprocessor is powered down with deenergization of the motor. The stored analog signal is updated by periodically converting the analog signal to a retrieved digital heat state signal which is compared to the latest calculated value of the heat state signal. If the retrieved value is below the present calculated value, an input/output port is set to a high output state to charge up the storage capacitor. If the retrieved value is above the calculated value, the port is configured as an output port with a low state to reduce the voltage on the capacitor.