Abstract: A pressurized water reactor of an advanced design comprises, in vertically spaced relationship, a lower barrel assembly having lower and upper core plates, an inner barrel assembly and an axially removable calandria assembly having a lower calandria plate. A plurality of rod guides are cantilever-mounted in parallel axial relationship within the inner barrel assembly by rigidly mounting the lower ends thereof to the upper core plate. Axially extending sleeves affixed to the upper ends of the rod guides and telescopingly receive therein generally cylindrical supports which are affixed to and depend downwardly from the lower calandria plate and define alignment axes for the respectively associated rod guides. Axially extending leaf springs in each sleeve are normally biased radially inwardly and, in the assembled relationship of the calandria and inner barrel assemblies, resiliently and frictionally engage the respective cylindrical supports to maintain alignment and react both lateral and axial loads.

Abstract: An active munition element for combatting a target provided with a jamming device, the element including: a front charge; a rear charge mounted behind the front charge and having a hollow charge element; components connected for actuating each charge, the front charge being operative for developing kinetic energy in the target so as to neutralize the jamming device and the rear charge being actuated after the front charge to be effective against the target without interference; and a tube defining a narrow longitudinal channel having a smaller diameter than, and coaxial with, the rear charge, the channel extending forwardly from the rear charge and having a front end region housing the front charge.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a projectile weapon includes a stop means such as a lever pivotally mounted to prevent the movement of the trigger to a position enabling the weapon to be discharged. A biasing means such as a spring is also attached to the lever to maintain the lever in the blocking position. Spaced from the trigger on the stock of the weapon is an actuator mounted for movement on the exterior of stock and pivotally connected to a second lever which is pivotally attached to the stock. The first and second levers are connected by a transfer bar such that movement of the actuator shifts the first lever with respect to the trigger to allow the trigger to be moved to the discharge position. The actuator is shown in the form of a slidable plate and a push button.

Abstract: Refueling apparatus for a nuclear reactor including a bridge and a trolley. The bridge is moveable in tracks along the containment of the pit in which the reactor is immersed in water and the trolley moveable in tracks on the bridge at right angles to the tracks on the bridge. The trolley carries a mast assembly for engaging, raising, lowering a nuclear-reactor component assembly involved in refueling. The mast includes an elongated member for engaging control-rod and thimble plug assembly and a gripper for raising fuel assemblies. The elongated member is moveable upwardly or downwardly.The bridge, trolley and mast assembly each has a pulse generator which produces pulses in accordance with the movement of each. The number of pulses produced when the bridge, trolley or elongated member move to a position at a predetermined distance from a reference position is a measure of the new position of each.

Abstract: A detachable ammunition magazine for high rate-of-fire guns that stores and positively feeds triangularly shaped cartridges to the gun in serial order. The cartridges are stored in a series of concentric cylindrically shaped tiers or arrays, and are advanced in a spiral path and transferred from one array to another to replace the cartridges fed to the gun. All cartridges are continuously maintained in spiral movement during feeding to the gun and are transfered between tiers using a fixed cam structure.

Abstract: The apparatus for simulation of the operation of a pressurized water reactor comprises a reactor vessel with a heater, a steam generating vessel divided into a primary portion and a secondary portion. The reactor vessel and the primary portion of the steam generating vessel are connected in a primary feed loop equipped with a coolant pump, while the secondary portion of the steam generating vessel and the condenser unit are joined together in a secondary feed loop provided with a feed pump. With such an apparatus a steam generating vessel heating pipe break or fracture can be simulated when the reactor vessel and a primary part of an additional steam generating unit are joined in another primary feed loop parallel to the primary feed loop having the cooling pump and a secondary part of the additional steam generating unit is connected with the aid of at least two branch pipes to the secondary feed loop.

Abstract: A hydraulic control rod drive for a water-cooled nuclear reactor includes a control valve assembly outside the reactor pressure vessel for influencing the fluid quantity on the pressure side of a fluid pump assembly for adjusting control rods in raising and lowering directions and to maintain a control rod position.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing bar for use in a PWR has an integrated damping device comprising a cluster of vertical absorbent rods fixed to the arms of a spider having a central pommel connectable to a drive mechanism. A damping device in the pommel includes a cylinder slidably receiving piston urged into a downward projecting position by springs contained in the cylinder. The cylinder and the piston are so formed that the leak flow at a cross-sectional area offered to the liquid driven out of the cylinder by the piston gradually decrease as the latter moves from an outermost position. The piston carries a hydromechanical damper damping the initial impact of the bar upon a scram.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the detachable gun trigger safety device includes a threaded bolt assembly having a longitudinally extending threaded shank and a curved bolt head adapted to receive a portion of the rear housing of a gun trigger guard. The device also includes a mating lock nut threadably received on that shaft and having a front surface adapted to bear against the rear of a gun trigger. The front surface of the nut includes a groove adapted to receive the rearwardmost curved surface of the trigger. The device is designed to span the space between a gun trigger and the rear portion of that gun's trigger guard and wedge the trigger forward to prevent its rearward movement and firing of the gun. The lock nut may include a number of spaced protrusions in its front surface to help resist turning of the nut when tight against the trigger. The nut may be knurled to facilitate turning on the shaft and the shaft may have one or more cotter pins holes transversely therethrough.

Abstract: A projectile for shooting from the muzzle of a shotgun formed with a nose cone connected to a launching tube by an interconnecting body. The nose cone has a weighted portion for providing aerodynamic characteristics thereto and a frangible portion. Upon impact against a target, the frangible portion breaks allowing the nose cone walls to deform in a mushroom-like manner, spreading the load over a larger area, thereby diminishing the amount of damage to a target to that of a nose cone which did not spread and mushroom from the breaking of frangible material therein.

Abstract: A tubular magazine for storing and feeding a large volume of cartridges into the receiver of a firearm. The magazine comprises a plurality of magazine sections having means to urge cartridges toward the receiver, and a connecting member joining the magazines to each other and to the receiver of the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm comprises a gas drive for actuating loading and/or firing means in response to the discharge of a round, wherein the gas drive comprises a pneumatic cylinder and a pneumatic piston, the cylinder chamber communicates with the barrel bore through at least one transverse bore in the barrel, and powder gas is adapted to enter said cylinder chamber through said transverse bore and to move said cylinder and piston relative to each other against the force of a return spring. In order to provide a gas drive which is particularly simple and functionally reliable, light in weight and compact, the barrel is provided with a collar or the like, which constitutes a stationary pneumatic piston, and the pneumatic cylinder consists of a sliding sleeve, which surrounds the collar and is longitudinally displaceable between stops.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor control bar drive device with mobile valve is provided, comprising a cluster guide placed above the core, a casing containing a drive mechanism connected to the inside of the reactor by a sheath passing sealingly through the lid of a vessel containing the core, a control shaft movable vertically in the sheath, connecting the mechanism to the bar and passing, with radial clearance, through an upper plate for closing the guide, as well as a thermal protection sleeve interposed radially between the shaft and the sheath and able to bear by an end piece on said upper plate. The sleeve is pierced, below the sheath, with a calibrated passage for intake of fluid into the guide through the clearance and a non return valve is disposed between the sleeve and the sheath, is movable vertically with respect thereto and co-operates with a seat of the sheath for allowing the fluid to flow only towards the drive mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for the controlled venting of gases from the containment housing of a chemical or nuclear reactor. The vent path is configured as a manometer filled with a low melting point metal. Gases passing through the manometer are exhausted to a tank of scrubbing solution where toxic materials are removed prior to venting the gases from the containment housing.

Abstract: A mortar carrier projectile that is characterized for its having a front body with a front head carrying a fuze, and a cylindrical rear body carrying the charge; a rear body of approximately a tapered head shape; a stabilizing tail joined to the rear body, and linking means between the front body and the rear body which fracture by shearing.

Abstract: A dually-adjustable device for firearms is provided which is attached to the muzzle of a firearm to stabilize the muzzle and to suppress the flash during firing. The device is dually adjustable to counter both the magnitude and direction of firing forces. The device is further adjustable to individual firing characteristics as well as varying powder loads in ammunition. The device includes a cylindrical-shaped main body with at least one surface opening. One end of the main body attaches to the muzzle; the main body can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the muzzle. The device further includes a cap with a gas-restricting opening which attaches to the other end of the main body. This gas-restricting opening in the cap causes a portion of firing gases to back up and flow through the surface opening thereby causing force in the direction of the opening which serves to stabilize the muzzle. A preferred cap comprises a frustum-shaped portion which narrows towards the firearm.

Abstract: A muzzle brake device for a handgun comprises a housing disposed at the end of the barrel thereof, which includes a conical expansion chamber tapered outwardly from the barrel bore of the gun and connecting with a cylindrical passageway at the chamber's muzzle end. A strike plate having a truncated planar surface in the shape of the truncated planar surface of a hollow, annular, truncated cylinder, facing the breech end of the gun, is positioned in the passageway. A number of pressure port passageways communicating between the interior of the device, and the outside thereof, are provided to reduce muzzle rise and for other beneficial purposes.

Abstract: Clamps and clamping systems for sealing the interface between two generally tubular conduits are disclosed. The clamps of the present invention are especially well adapted for use in nuclear reactor systems, especially as clamps for the instrument port interfaces of nuclear reactors. The clamps are generally comprised of articulated members pivotally joined by link plates such that the clamp may be opened in jaw like fashion so as to allow easy assembly around the conduits to be sealed. The conduit seal assembly includes an upper positioner which has a frusto-conically shaped surface and a male flange with a frusto-conically shaped upper surface. These two surfaces create an annular wedge-like opening for accepting a wedge-shaped upper clamp. The upper articulated clamp when assembled thus provides the proper clamping force between the conduit seal and male flange.

Abstract: An artillery projectile or shell containing a plurality of submunitions of the same type, each of which possesses a projectile-forming charge, an antenna on one side thereof, and a flight-stabilizing device on the opposite side. The submunitions are configured and arranged such that the projectile possesses the same location for the center of gravity and the same weight as would an artillery projectile or shell which has been introduced in the practice and which is filled with a charge.

Abstract: A device for ejecting ammunition containers from a war head has transverse to the war head longitudinal axis a bellows, which holds the ammunition containers in a plurality of concave pockets. The bellows is inflated by a gas generator including a gas-permeable tube extending along the longitudinal axis. In order to achieve a wide range of variations in the behavior of the ammunition containers in the process of being ejected, a propellant charge of the gas generator is particulate, with at least one ignition cord extending along the longitudinal axis of the tube around which a particle ignition mixture is arranged, so that the hot particles during burn-down of the ignition mixture are pressed between the particles of the propellant charge. A daming serves for building up the initial pressure required for the burning down of the propellant charge.