Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting the welds which attach the differential pressure and liquid poison nozzles to the bottom head of the reactor pressure vessel in a boiling water reactor. The scanning apparatus is seated on the upper taper of the nozzle outer tube and incorporates a stationary frame having a cutaway section which allows installation from the side. The apparatus has vertical and circumferential positioning mechanisms which are operated remotely to scan an ultrasonic transducer package over the circumferential welds and heat-affected zones thereof. The rotating frame has a transducer carriage mounted thereon which is vertically displaceable relative to the rotating frame. The vertical and angular motion motors can be controlled together to provide the desired path for the ultrasonic transducer around the stub tube. The tool also includes a vessel contour follower which follows the contour of the inclined surfaces of the reactor pressure vessel bottom head.

Abstract: A satellite designed to be spin-stabilized in geostationary orbit which has, coaxial with a spin rotation axis, a satellite body surrounded with a cylindrical solar generator, an apogee maneuver system disposed along the axis and two axially disposed equipments. The apogee maneuver system has opposite one of the equipments at least two thrusters oriented parallel to the axis but offset relative thereto by the same distance. Equi-angularly spaced around the other of the two equipments, the thrusters are connected to a common liquid propellant feed system.

Abstract: A firearm safety mechanism having a self-contained locking mechanism incorporated into the magazine of a semi-automatic pistol which inhibits use of the firearm when a locking mechanism disarms the firing mechanism as well as locking the magazine in position so as to prevent unauthorized replacement. The firearm can be locked against unauthorized use and unlocked by an authorized user without resort to external accessories.

Abstract: A gun operating system for firearms, particularly for a shotgun, includes a bolt/slide movable between a closed position prior to firing and an open position after firing and a link operatively connected to the bolt/slide. An inertial recoil assembly housed in the gun stock is operatively connected to the link and includes a first mechanical an/or gas spring having a higher spring deformation rate in series with a second mechanical spring having a lower spring deformation rate. Upon firing of the gun, the bolt/slide is adapted to move to the open position and the link is adapted to initially deform the first spring in one direction and, subsequently, the first spring is adapted to return to its initial position and move the link and deform the second spring in the opposite direction.

Abstract: This invention involves an improved technique for the modulation of waste in an actively controlled compact waste incinerator afterburner. This improved technique utilizes acoustic driving to affect indirect modulation of waste flow velocities. The waste surrogate gases are modulated indirectly by periodic entrainment created by the roll-up of the main air vortex as well as indirect acoustic excitation of secondary air injection. One of the main advantages of this new configuration is the acoustic drivers used to phase inject the waste into the vortex for proper combustion are not in direct contact with the hot waste and therefore can be less expensive and more durable over the long term.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first valve having a first valve stem configured for controlling operation of the first valve, and a second valve having a second valve stem configured for controlling operation of the second valve. A linkage is provided for interconnecting the first and second valve stems so that rotation of the first valve stem rotates the second valve stem, and thereby operates the first and second valves.

Abstract: A power tool having a low frequency reduction apparatus includes a first handle portion, a second handle portion, and a dual-density bladder disposed between the first and second handle portions. By disposing such bladder accordingly, the second handle portion is effectively isolated from the first handle portion, thus reducing the low frequency vibrations transmitted to the second handle portion. Preferably, a gap is formed between the first and second handle portions. In another embodiment of the invention, a dual-density bladder between a handle portion and a main housing portion of the power tool.

Abstract: A round baler includes a bale shape monitor for facilitating uniform bale formation. The bale shape monitor includes a pair of end sensors and an intermediate sensor. The end sensors sense the diameter of the bale at end locations adjacent opposite ends of the bale, while the intermediate sensor senses the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced between the end locations. The monitor further includes a signal responsive to the sensors to indicate to the operator when the diameter of the bale at one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location. The signal is electrically powered and includes a pair of switches, each of which is operably coupled between one of the end sensors and the intermediate sensor to operate an indicator when the diameter of the bale sensed at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter sensed at the intermediate location.

Abstract: An isothermal transcription based amplification assay for the detection of HTLV I RNA uses primers and probes for sequences within the tax gene, the pol gene, or the gag gene. An isothermal transcription based amplification assay for the detection of HTLV II uses primers and probes for sequences within the tax gene. Target specific primers and probes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The vertical chamber of the open throat, vertical chamber baler has its bottom inlet opening devoid of a starter roll. A resilient rotary rake tine assembly positioned below and ahead of the inlet opening picks up crop material from the ground and delivers it to a rigid tooth feeder spaced below the inlet opening in vertical alignment therewith. At the beginning of each bale forming cycle when the chamber is small and empty, the rigid tooth feeder propels the crop material into the chamber and against the upwardly moving rear belt stretch which encourages the material to tumble forwardly against the downwardly moving front belt stretch. The oppositely moving surfaces presented by the front and rear belt stretches encourage the tumbling material to coil into a bale core, which ultimately forms a larger bale.

Abstract: A fluid pervious web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article is disclosed. The topsheet includes a fibrous and apertured, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, plastic web. The fibrous and apertured, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, plastic web permits bodily fluids to penetrate while providing an improved, less plastic-like feel and visual aesthetics.

Abstract: The invention reduces the amount of force and acceleration transmitted to the vehicle occupant in a vehicle subject to the shock of a land mine explosion. In the invention, a set of crushable composite tubes are placed between the vehicle floor and the seat of the vehicle. As the floor moves due to the blast loading, the crushable tubes deform, absorbing the energy of the blast and reducing the acceleration transmitted to the seated occupant.

Abstract: An efficient and economical process for the waste treatment of spent metal plating solutions, primarily spent electroless nickel solutions, to significantly reduce the metal content therein, so as to permit direct discharge to municipal water systems without violation of the law. The waste treatment process is a sequential two-step chemical precipitation process, whereby the dissolved metal content is precipitated first by sodium borohydride reduction, followed by sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate precipitation, with an intermediate filtration step and pH adjustment step interposed there between. The amount of metal-bearing sludge produced is minimal. Furthermore, the bulk of the metals in the sludge may be recovered and reused, resulting in significant reduction in hazardous waste disposal costs.

Abstract: A method and a HIP can structure for hot isostatically pressed (HIP) production of flat sheet metal matrix composites having a dimension greater than about 4.times.5 inches. The HIP can is constructed so that most of the expensive components are reusable for further processing of other composites. The side walls of the HIP can have reduced thickness relative to the top and bottom walls and the can has a reinforced centerpiece between the two composites used in the example. Molybdenum foils are utilized to separate the composites from the stiffening structure so that when the HIP can is opened by breaking the weld at one of its wings, the components of the can and the composites come apart so that the most expensive structural members of the HIP can be reused.

Abstract: A method for vibration damping cylindrical members is described which comprises applying constrained damping treatment, in the form of narrow strips of damping tape, to the surface of the member in a helical (barberpole) configuration at a selected pitch angle to a generator line of the member, the tape being either continuous (unsegmented) or segmented at selected optimal length.

Abstract: A tire wheel, is described, which comprises a tire shell having bead parts, a rim on which the tire shell is supported with the bead parts being pressed against the rim, and a filling material with which the ring-form inner space surrounded by the rim and the tire shell is filled, said filling material having an apparent specific gravity of from 0.08 to 0.3 and an impact resilience of from 50 to 80 (as determined by JIS K-6301) in a free state, consisting of an elastic foam containing butyl rubber or a halogenated butyl rubber and having a closed-cell structure with a water absorption as determined by the water absorption test prescribed in ASTM D1056 of 5% or lower, and being in a compressed state.

Abstract: A new apparatus for displaying and recording an image viewed by a marksman or shooter through a weapon sight is described. A beam splitter is mounted at the eye end of the weapon sight and bends part of the image intended for the shooter 900.degree. to a righting prism which bends the image another 900.degree., for a total of 180.degree.. The image from the righting prism is directed to the input of a miniature video camera mounted over and parallel with the weapon sight. The video camera transmits the image to a remote miniature video display and to a remote video recorder. By bending the image a total of 180.degree., the video camera can be mounted in a low profile position over the weapon sight such that the overall balance of the weapon is minimally upset.

Abstract: This invention describes how to make and use several effective high volume screens for the discovery of inhibitors of specific protein:protein interactions, using aspects of the yeast two-hybrid system.

Abstract: An endocardial pacing and/or cardioversion/defibrillation lead having a plurality of electrodes and a mechanism for adjusting the exposed surface area of one or more electrode and/or the position and/or angular orientation of an electrode along a lead body. A fixed exposed, flexible, elongated commutator surface is provided extending along the lead body intermediate the proximal and distal lead body ends coupled by an electrical lead conductor extending to the proximal end of the lead body. A movable electrode assembly is provided that fits over and slides along the lead body, including the fixed commutator surface, that supports an exposed movable electrode on it. The movable electrode assembly includes at least one flexible, elongated, movable commutator surface within it that is electrically connected with the movable electrode.

Abstract: Absorbent composites containing particles of absorbent gelling material and chemically stiffened, cellulosic fibers, the fibers being wrapped around and adhered to the particles, which are in individual form. The chemically stiffened, cellulosic fibers are preferably cellulosic fibers in substantially individual form having a crosslinking agent reacted with the fibers in intrafiber crosslink bond form. The absorbent composites are particularly suitable for use in the absorbent core of disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and diapers.