Abstract: The present invention provides a vane segment compliant seal assembly. The assembly comprises a seal housing adapted to adjustably receive a baffle plate. The housing has an outer wall adapted to be in sealing communication with a vane segment rail and securely mounted within a combustion turbine. A baffle plate adapted to be in sealing communication with a vane segment rail is provided. The baffle plate is adjustably mounted within the housing to move from a first position to a second position relative to a vane rail. At least two compliant seals are provided which are adapted to be securely mounted between the seal housing outer wall and a vane segment rail, and between the baffle plate and a vane segment rail.

Abstract: A compact coupling reaming apparatus and method for reaming coupling bolt holes of a rotor coupling. The apparatus includes a fixture plate for mounting the apparatus to the face of the coupling via a plurality of the coupling bolt holes. The apparatus also includes a drill axially slidably, radially slidably, and axially rotatably mounted to the fixture plate. During the reaming process, the drill is first aligned with the center of a first coupling bolt hole, the drill having a fixed distance from an axis of the rotor after being aligned with the center of the first coupling bolt hole. After reaming the first coupling bolt hole, the drill is aligned with a center of the holes and all other coupling bolt holes to be reamed by axially rotating the drill to the center of the second coupling bolt hole while maintaining the fixed distance of the drill from the axis of the rotor.

Abstract: A formed disc for use in a low pressure rotor has a rim made of a high alloy metal of between approximately 9% and 17% chromium. The rim can be annular in shape and slide onto the perimeter of an unformed disc for the two components to be fused together, thus fabricating a formed disc. Additionally, the rim can be split into a number of components and fused together on the perimeter of a rotor disc to form a complete rim. Further, an entire disc can be made out of the high alloy metal.

Abstract: Prioritization logic determines the final command applied to a process control component from a plurality of commands generated by diverse independent control subsystems, each utilizing different hardware and software to implement a common algorithm to preclude common mode failures. In one embodiment, priority is given to commands generated by one control subsystem, such as a safety grade subsystem, over commands provided by a second, non-safety grade control subsystem. In another embodiment, equal priority is given to commands from two control subsystems. In this case, ambiguous commands from either or both subsystems are ignored, but conflicting commands produce a final command which provides a safe state.

Abstract: A self-powered fixed incore detector for a nuclear reactor has a neutron sensitive emitter element having a low neutron absorption cross section, such as a vanadium element, which extends the length of the active fuel region and generates a full length signal representative of full length power. A number of gamma sensitive emitter elements, preferably platinum but alternatively zirconium, cerium, tantalum, or osmium elements, provide sequentially increasing overlap with the neutron sensitive emitter element to define axial regions of the active fuel region and generate apportioning signals. The portion of the full length signal generated by the neutron sensitive emitter element attributable to each of the axial regions of the core are determined from ratios of the apportioning signals generated by the gamma sensitive elements.

Abstract: An integrated head assembly for a nuclear reactor pressure vessel includes a closure head with CRDM assemblies extending upwardly from the head. A CRDM seismic support disposed above the closure head provides lateral support for the CRDM assemblies. The seismic support also has air flow holes which communicate with the interior of a shroud enclosing the CRDMs and extending upwardly from the closure head to the seismic support. The shroud has an air port in direct air flow communication with the surrounding atmosphere so that the closure head, shroud and seismic support define an air flow passageway directly communicating with the surrounding atmosphere via the air port and without the extensive ductwork and, therefore, with substantially less power.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus for satellite communication of voice data, facsimile and computer information, which consists of an RF transceiver section, an optional cellular board, and a processor board. The processor board has two digital signal processors and a multi-task control processor for controlling the operation of the signal processor.

Abstract: A high temperature solid oxide fuel cell generator produces electrical power from oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel gases such as natural gas, or conditioned fuel gases, such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen, with oxidant gases, such as air or oxygen. This electrochemical reaction occurs in a plurality of electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells bundled and arrayed in a unitary modular fuel cell stack disposed in a compartment in the generator container. The use of a unitary modular fuel cell stack in a generator is similar in concept to that of a removable battery. The fuel cell stack is provided in a pre-assembled self-supporting configuration where the fuel cells are mounted to a common structural base having surrounding side walls defining a chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing removal of corrosion products from a nuclear reactor piping system. A reagent is supplied into a multi-part reactor piping system to react with the corrosion products therein. The corrosion products dissolve into the reagent to define a contaminated solution. The contaminated solution is brought into contact with an ion exchange resin bed that absorbs the corrosion products from the contaminated solution to define a reagent-containing contaminant-free solution. In this regard, a circulation pump having a predetermined net positive suction head (NPSH) interconnects the system with the resin bed for pumping the contaminated solution from one part of the reactor piping system and into contact with the resin bed and thereafter pumping the contaminant-free solution from the resin bed and to another part of the reactor piping system to remove the corrosion products.

Abstract: A flexible, gas tight electrical coupling for a gas cooled electrodynamic system such as an electrical generator includes a first connector element that is in communication with a first combined coolant and electrical path and has a first passage defined therein for a coolant, a second connector element that is in communication with a second combined coolant and electrical path and has a second passage defined therein for the coolant, a flexible tube for communicating the first passage in the first connector element with the second passage in the second connector element, and an electrical connection for electrically connecting the first connector element to the second connector element. According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical connection is external to the flexible tube, resulting in cost savings and other advantages when compared to an internal electrical connection.

Abstract: A camera mast system permits remote inspection of nuclear fuel assemblies and other components of nuclear reactors. The system includes a camera mast assembly mounted on a refueling mast which may be positioned over a selected fuel assembly in the reactor core. An extendable camera mast having a camera mounted thereon moves vertically with respect to a stationary camera mast and the refueling mast in order to allow for visual inspection of various components in the reactor core. The camera mast assembly preferably includes a video cable take-up mechanism for handling the camera video cable as the extendable camera mast is moved up and down. The camera mast assembly is preferably removably mounted on the refueling mast in order to aid in installation and removal. The removable mounting also allows the camera mast assembly to be used independently of the refueling mast.

Abstract: A preload system for preloading end winding coils of a stator includes a coil support platform coupled to a periphery of one of the coils, a clamping apparatus compressing the end winding coils and the coil support platform and a preload apparatus between the clamping apparatus and the coil support platform and not running circumferentially around the clamping apparatus.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell generator configuration is made having a generator section which contains a plurality of axially elongated fuel cells, each cell containing a fuel electrode, air electrode, and solid oxide electrolyte between the electrodes, in which axially elongated dividers separate portions of the fuel cells from each other, and where at least one divider also reforms a reformable fuel gas mixture prior to electricity generation reactions, the at least one reformer-divider is hollow having a closed end and an open end entrance for a reformable fuel mixture to pass to the closed end of the divider and then reverse flow and pass back along the hollowed walls to be reformed, and then finally to pass as reformed fuel out of the open end of the divider to contact the fuel cells, and further where the reformer-divider is a composite structure having a gas diffusion barrier of metallic foil surrounding the external walls of the reformer-divider except at the entrance to prevent diffusion of the refor

Abstract: A brushless exciter diode wheel system includes a diode wheel and an electrical connection apparatus that is coupled to the diode wheel. The electrical connection apparatus includes a fuse support block, a diode support block, and a connector for electrically connecting the fuse support block to the diode support block. This connector permits the system to carry at least about 2000 amps of current, which is far in excess of the current capacity of conventional systems of this configuration.

Abstract: A stud tensioner for tensioning the upright studs which secure the head to a reactor pressure vessel is suspended by a motor operated hoist from a motor operated trolley mounted on a circular rail supported above the studs. A single operator operates the motor operated hoist and motor operated trolley, and manually radially fine aligns the stud tensioner for engagement with a stud through a control handlebar. A pair of side-by-side switches adjacent a first hand grip at one end of the handlebar enable the operator to operate the trolley to move the stud tensioner left or right, while vertically aligned switches adjacent a second hand grip at the other end of the handlebar are used to operate the hoist to raise and lower the stud tensioner. Simultaneously, the operator can radially maneuver the stud tensioner by applying force through the handlebar. An adjustable mount allows the handlebar to be rotated about a horizontal pivot axis and locked into a selected angular position relative to the tensioner.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus that operates in both the cellular and satellite networks. The terminal device has five different operating modes. It operates in a satellite only mode, a cellular only mode, an autoroam with satellite priority mode, an autoroam with cellular priority mode, and autoroam with cellular home location register (HLR) priority mode. The terminal apparatus monitors the cellular operation and satellite operation concomitantly. When a call is in progress in the cellular system, a seamless handoff may be effected to the satellite system.

Abstract: Welds made by pulses of laser energy are evaluated on-line by analyzing light emitted from the weld site during application the laser pulses. The pulses of light from the weld site are compared with base pulses generated from a good weld, and are used to calculate parameters such as heat-up rate and peak temperature which in turn, are analyzed to determine weld quality. For use in welding in confined spaces such as heat exchange tubes, and particularly the tubes in a PWR steam generator, a single optic fiber delivers the laser energy pulses to the weld site and transmits light from the weld site back to a splitter which diverts it to detectors for conversion to electrical signals used to generate a graphical display.

Abstract: A remote frequency adjustment system for controlling the vibrational frequency of the coils of a stator of a turbine generator. The system includes a top coil and a bottom coil supported by a coil support brace and a frequency adjustment system that allows for remote adjustment of the characteristic frequency of the coils.

Abstract: A radiation resistant solid state neutron detector is disclosed. The detector uses a neutron convertor material such as boron or lithium to react with neutrons to create charged particles that are received in a semiconductor active region of the detector. The active thickness of the detector is smaller than the range of the charged particles. Since most of the radiation damage produced by impinging charged particles occurs near the end of the range of the particles, displacement damage predominantly occurs outside of the active region. Although the charged particles pass through the semiconductor material, the particles cause electron excitation within the semiconductor material which is detected in the form of an electronic pulse. A preferred semiconductor material for the active region is silicon carbide.

Abstract: An integrally intercooled axial compressor where the axial compressor passes cooling water through one or more stator assemblies and/or an internal air-to-water heat exchanger located in the gas flow path of the compressor to reduce the temperature of the gas as it is compressor in different stages of the axial compressed.