Abstract: A hydro-ball in-core instrumentation system employs detector strings each comprising a wire having radiation sensitive balls affixed diametrically at spaced positions therealong and opposite tip ends of which are transportable by fluid drag through interior passageways. In the passageways primary coolant is caused to flow selectively in first and second opposite directions for transporting the detector strings from stored positions in an exterior chamber to inserted positions within the instrumentation thimbles of the fuel rod assemblies of a pressure vessel, and for return. The coolant pressure within the detector passageways is the same as that within the vessel; face contact, disconnectable joints between sections of the interior passageways within the vessel facilitate assembly and disassembly of the vessel for refueling and routine maintenance operations.

Abstract: A rocket propelled missile assembly comprises an outer casing defining an internal solid rocket propellant chamber, the casing having an opening at its forward end aligned with an internal tube submerged in the rocket propellant chamber, and at least one exhaust nozzle at its rear end for venting exhaust gases from the propellant chamber. Solid propellant is contained within the propellant chamber surrounding the internal tube, and a separate terminal stage missile is partially or fully submerged in the tube with the capacity to separate from the tube forwardly through the front end of the casing. The missile separates from the remainder of the system on booster burn out.

Abstract: The ultrasonic wave sensor (2) according to the invention comes into contact with a wall at a high temperature (1) by means of a wave guide (5) made of a vitro-ceramic material. The sensor includes, inside a body (3) made of metallic material, a piezoelectric ceramic pellet (8) connected to an electrical power supply or measurement leads (9). The wave guide (5), also placed in the body (3), is in contact by one of its ends (5b) with the piezoelectric pellet (8) and by its other end (5a) with the wall (1). The body (3) of the sensor is mounted in an articulated manner on a support (21) fixed to the wall (1). The invention applies in particular to the measurement of flow rate in a primary duct of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: An automatic gun comprises a barrel, a receiver connected to the barrel and a bolt and bolt carrier mounted in the receiver for recoil and counterrecoil movement between the barrel breech and a recoil position rearwardly of a shell pick up position and a casing ejection port. The bolt carrier has a cam track formed along it and the bolt has a pivotally mounted casing extractor and an ejection recess in an opposite region. The forward end of a cam follower is pivotally mounted to the receiver forwardly of the pick up position. The follower has a pair of belt feeding pawls mounted centrally, an inwardly-directed ejection tip at the rearward end and a cam track follower in engagement with the bolt carrier cam track. A belt feeding adaptor is detachably connected to the receiver above the cam follower for receiving an ammunition belt. In response to forward bolt carrier movement, the cam follower is pivoted outwardly, moving the feed pawls into engagement with a belted shell outboard of the pick up position.

Abstract: An ammunition container for an M60 machinegun is a one piece molded plastic box having a rigid strap spaced from a front wall thereof for mounting over the bandolier supporter of the machinegun. The mounting strap has interior bosses adapted to center the container on the gun and to lock the container in place, minimizing movement of the container which might jam the gun. A removable cover may be either molded intergrally with the container by means of a hinge, or may be separate and slideably removable.

Abstract: A neutron radiography system having a high energy neutron generator (100) of the type comprising an ion accelerator (106) and a tritium target (110) located downstream of the accelerator. The generator is disclosed in a housing (22) containing a moderator medium (140) adapted to absorb part of the energy of the neutrons, thereby creating thermal neutrons. A neutron flux booster (130) comprised of a high neutron cross section material, such as depleted uranium, is disposed between the target and the moderator medium such that collisions of high energy neutrons produced at the target will collide with the uranium to release additional high energy neutrons from the booster into the moderator medium. A collimator (40) is disposed in communication with the moderator material for discharging thermal neutrons from the moderator medium.

Abstract: An ignition system for a combustible insecticide forming a fumigation device. The ignition system utilizes relative motion to actuate an ignitor which, in turn, ignites the insecticide. In one aspect, the relative motion is used to load a spring which, when released, strikes the ignitor to actuate it.

Abstract: A controlled rectifier firing circuit for the warhead of a missile located n a rocket powered test sled traveling along a track in a target vulnerability test range. The firing circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier which when rendered conductive discharges a capacitor to fire a warhead detonator. A relatively high voltage DC source is coupled to the capacitor prior to sled travel toward the target. A second capacitor is also charged from the high voltage source and discharges through a resistance when an impact type actuator switch is closed at the time of detonation. The voltage developed across the resistor is coupled to the gate electrode of the silicon controlled rectifier which renders it conductive, causing the first capacitor to discharge through the detonator to fire the warhead.

Abstract: The cylinder of a revolver has a recess in its rear face through which the chambers pass and which is surrounded by a shoulder. In the base of this recess is a second recess in which is received an extractor star carried by the ejector rod and itself carrying a cylindrical member having the ratchet thereon. Within the first recess there is a steel clip which carries the cartridges. The clip is of substantially the same thickness as the depth of the recess, and has a plurality of arms radiating from the central portion to form generally circular openings each subtending an angle in excess of 180.degree. at its centre. Each arm is split along a line running substantially radially of the central portion to permit the arm to flex for the purpose of inserting the cartridges into the openings.

Abstract: A noise suppressor and stabilizer for a firearm having a number of fluidic scillator laminates each having a number of fluidic pressure controlled oscillators disposed thereon stacked and attached to the muzzle end of a firearm. The pressure controlled oscillators exhaust part of the propellant gases at a frequency either above the range of detection by the human ear or at a less sensitive region of hearing thus lowering the characteristic muzzle blast heard as the bullet exits the muzzle of the firearm. Additional laminates having the pressure controlled oscillators asymmetrically placed are provided to compensate for muzzle climb. Twist of the firearm is controlled by the placement of one or more twist compensating laminates within the stack. One embodiment of the invention provides for laminates of different internal dimensions forms expansion chambers within the noise suppressor.

Abstract: Capacitive sound transducer of a very small construction, in particular a microphone has at least two joint semiconductor chips, which embody a membrane unit and a fixed counter-electrode structure. The acoustic active portion of the membrane unit 1 with at least one counter-electrode structure 3, which is separated from the membrane unit by means of an air gap, forms a system which is comparable to a field effect transistor. The membrane unit which is formed of a semiconducting ground material encompasses an acoustically active membrane surface (2), one side 5 of which confronts the counter-electrode structure is electrically conductive.The counter-electrode structure 3 has a semiconductive base material out of which there is machined a channel length which has been limited by a source-drain arrangement, the geometric width measurrement of which is on the order of magnitude of a tenth of the lateral measurement of the active membrane surface.

Abstract: A muzzle brake and tool for effectively installing the brake on the muzzle end of a rifle without the necessity of engaging the services of a gunsmith. The tool for installation includes a handle assembly, a bore pilot and an insertable threading die and cutter and cutter holder by which the owner of the rifle can effectively trim the end of the barrel and then form threads on the external surface of the barrel onto which the muzzle brake can be screw threaded. The muzzle brake is a hollow cylindrical member having an internally threaded end engaged with the externally threaded end of the muzzle of the rifle together with two flat sides and four vents extending horizontally when installed on the rifle barrel with the vents being equally spaced and equally sized and communicating the hollow interior of the muzzle brake with the atmosphere to release gases thereby reducing recoil felt when the gun is fired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a nuclear reactor and a preformed containment building for a nuclear reactor. The nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) is assemblied at a manufacturing site while the containment building is constructed in parallel at the reactor site. The completed NSSS is then transported to the reactor site and installed in the specially formed containment building. The NSSS and its safeguards system preferably are formed as a low draft barge which is tugged to the reactor site along navigable waterways.

Abstract: A gas seal revolver which includes a barrel having a longitudinal bore therethrough, a rotatably mounted cylinder positioned adjacent to the barrel and having a plurality of chambers therein, and a sealing and aligning structure oriented between the barrel and the cylinder to thereby form a leak resistant gas seal when the barrel is moved against the end face of the cylinder. The barrel and cylinder assembly are movable mounted to the frame such that the revolver may be tipped open for easy loading and cleaning of the operative parts contained therein. The revolver also includes an indexing mechanism which cooperates with notches along the outer periphery of the cylinder in order to incrementally move the cylinder so that the chambers are moved into and out of preliminary alignment with the barrel bore. The barrel is also prevented from being opened during any phase of trigger motion thereby ensuring that the operator will not open the barrel during the firing cycle.

Abstract: A tubular piezo-electric sensor has at least one sensitive element disposed against an outer surface of a tubular support. A substance whose acoustic impedance is very different from that of the material forming the tubular support is disposed therein and a remaining volume of the tubular support is filled with liquid. Glass fiber cords or open cell foams, for example, are used as the substance, and the liquid may, for example, be that which fills a seismic streamer and, in this case, the tubular support is left open. The tubular support may also be closed at both ends by sealed caps and included in a protective sheath. The dimensions of the tubular support and the material from which it is made are chosen so as to optimize the sensitivity of the piezo-electric sensor.

Abstract: A system is provided for the detection of an unsuitable water condition in which either large globules of solid material or bait fish suspended in the water beneath a vessel adjacent the hull of the vessel are detected and the associated depth sounding device is inhibited from providing a depth output. This eliminates the display or annunciation of erratic depth data, or the use of erratic data for closed or open loop control systems. In one embodiment, the unsuitable water condition is sensed through the detection of returns in a short water column adjacent the hull. In a further embodiment, returns from the water column coupled with receiver gain being open above a predetermined threshold provide the indication of the presence of the unsuitable water condition.

Abstract: A self-watering planter (10) includes an outer shell (11) and an inner liner (12) nested within the shell (11). A reservoir (21) for water is formed therebetween. A wick (22) transfers water from the reservoir (21) to the plant rooted within liner (12). A water intake and float tube assembly (13) includes an intake column (42) for transmitting water to the reservoir (21). A float tube (25) houses a float rod (27) which carries a float (29) at the bottom thereof giving a visual indication of the level of the water in the reservoir (21) at the top of the assembly (13). A cylinder (41) protects the float (29) from turbulence which might be created when water is transferred to the reservoir (21) through column (42) so that no false readings as to the water level are created.

Abstract: A self loading firearm of the locked breech, short recoil pistol type has a barrel and a breech block slide provided with a separate locking block accommodated between the underside of the barrel and the upper surface of a movable trigger guard. The locking block is provided with means for positively locking the barrel to the slide during the high pressure period of the firing cycle of the firearm and means for enabling release of the slide from the barrel during the remainder of the firing cycle. Means described for permitting release of the locking block comprise a rotary catch which is rotatable between a position to hold the locking block in its barrel retaining position and a position in which the locking block is able to release the barrel.

Abstract: A firearm safety apparatus and method of using same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve formed of a flexible plastic material capable of being flexed from a normal position to a flexed position to surroundingly receive an associated firearm and spring urged lever means for locking the hammer of the associated firearm in the uncocked position. The sleeve has front and rear ends, the rear end being open to receive the associated firearm and the front end having an aperture to receive the barrel of the associated firearm. The spring urged lever means includes a lever arm rotatably mounted within the sleeve by a pivot pin. In the operative position, a spring urges the end portion of the lever arm downwardly to engage the hammer of the associated firearm, thereby locking the hammer in the uncocked position.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing the flight of a rocket wherein the body of the ket is provided with a plurality of petals arranged around the periphery of the aft end of the rocket with the leading end of each petal being pivotally attached to the rocket body such that the trailing end of each petal is free to move outward away from the rocket body. A ring slidably mounted on the rocket is linked to each of the petals in such a manner that as the ring moves in an aft direction on the rocket body the trailing ends of all of the petals simultaneously move outward equal distances from the rocket body.