Abstract: A radial scantier configured to image the interior of a tube includes, in an embodiment, a housing having a transparent window, a photo-sensing array, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image around a circumference of an interior surface of the tube outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source configured to illuminate the interior surface of the tube, wherein the photo-sensing army is configured to receive the image around the circumference, as a circular line scan. In an embodiment, the radial scanner Is deployed as an ingestible capsule. In another embodiment, the radial scanner is deployed as a fiber optic catheter.

Abstract: An ingestible scanning device includes, in an embodiment, a capsule housing having a transparent window and sized so as to be ingestible, a photo-sensing array located within the capsule housing, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image from a surface outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source for illuminating the surface outside the transparent window.

Abstract: An ingestible scanning device includes, in an embodiment, a capsule housing having a transparent window and sized so as to be ingestible, a photo-sensing array located within the capsule housing, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image from a surface outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source for illuminating the surface outside the transparent window.

Abstract: A radial scanner configured to image the interior of a tube includes, in an embodiment, a housing having a transparent window, a photo-sensing array, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image around a circumference of an interior surface of the tube outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source configured to illuminate the interior surface of the tube, wherein the photo-sensing array is configured to receive the image around the circumference as a circular line scan. In an embodiment, the radial scanner is deployed as an ingestible capsule. In another embodiment, the radial scanner is deployed as a fiber optic catheter.

Abstract: A method to assess light water reactor fuel integrity is presented having the steps of granting access in a nuclear reactor fuel pool to at least one of a discharged fuel rod and a nuclear fuel assembly, calculating an operating flux for the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of CRUD on the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of oxide on the fuel rod, calculating a maximized flux for the at least one fuel rod for a position of the one fuel rod in a nuclear reactor, calculating a maximized deposit for the fuel rod, calculating a maximized oxide thickness for the fuel rod, calculating a fuel condition index of the fuel rod, comparing the fuel condition index to an index constant, and removing the fuel rod from operation when the fuel condition index is greater than the index constant.

Abstract: A method to assess light water reactor fuel integrity is presented having the steps of granting access in a nuclear reactor fuel pool to at least one of a discharged fuel rod and a nuclear fuel assembly, calculating an operating flux for the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of CRUD on the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of oxide on the fuel rod, calculating a maximized flux for the at least one fuel rod for a position of the one fuel rod in a nuclear reactor, calculating a maximized deposit for the fuel rod, calculating a maximized oxide thickness for the fuel rod, calculating a fuel condition index of the fuel rod, comparing the fuel condition index to an index constant, and removing the fuel rod from operation when the fuel condition index is greater than the index constant.

Abstract: A method to assess and predict pressurized water stress corrosion cracking in operational nuclear power plants and the effect of adding zinc compounds into a reactor coolant system of the nuclear power plant.

Abstract: A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered in locations such as the cold leg accumulator and high and low pressure pumps of an emergency core cooling system. Motor driven valves and pressurization can aid in the delivery. Methods for providing the nanoparticles are also provided.

Abstract: A ballot authentication system uses a plurality of security features embedded in and/or printed on the paper stock used to print a ballot on which election-choice-information is printed and a voting unit that includes at least a scanner that is configured to detect the plurality of security features that are embedded in and/or printed on the ballot and authenticate the ballot based on the read information. The voting unit of the ballot authentication system can be configured to verify and confirm that the various security features embedded in and/or printed on the ballot is correct for a particular precinct of an election. The security features of the ballot authentication system can include static, dynamic and data security features.

Abstract: An improved pipe rack assembly allows a user to support up to 500,000 pounds of pipes in a safe and readily removable manner. The improved pipe rack assembly comprises at least two pipe racks. Each pipe rack comprises a base assembly immediately adjacent to a removable chocking member through a removable chocking member cavity in the base assembly. The base assembly comprises a first base rail mechanically coupled to a second base rail by a horizontal base pipe; the first base rail and the second base rail are mechanically coupled to a top rail pipe by a base pipe. The top rail pipe has a greater diameter than the first base rail and the second base rail which enables the improved pipe rack assembly to support up to 500,000 pounds of pipes in the safe and readily removable manner.

Abstract: A ballot processing system and method processes paper ballots, such as by optically scanning or optically reading those ballots. The ballot image processing system corrects for, or is able to differentiate valid voting marks from, ballot printing errors such as skewed printing, incorrect sizing, and speckling. Further, the ballot image processing system, after determining whether each of the voting marks is valid or not, associates audit data with the ballot that corresponds to the decision regarding each voting mark.

Abstract: A method to analyze crystals in a deposit on a surface of a nuclear generating station heating surface, wherein the method extracts a sample of material from the surface of the nuclear generating station heating surface and also includes conducting at least one of a high resolution scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry of the sample and a scanning transmission electron microscope/selected area electron diffraction/spot and elemental mapping analysis of the sample.

Abstract: An ingestible scanning device includes, in an embodiment, a capsule housing having a transparent window and sized so as to be ingestible, a photo-sensing array located within the capsule housing, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image from a surface outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source for illuminating the surface outside the transparent window.

Abstract: A method to analyze crystals in a deposit on a surface of a nuclear generating station heating surface, wherein the method extracts a sample of material from the surface of the nuclear generating station heating surface and also includes conducting at least one of a high resolution scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry of the sample and a scanning transmission electron microscope/selected area electron diffraction/spot and elemental mapping analysis of the sample.

Abstract: A method to assess light water reactor fuel integrity is presented having the steps of granting access in a nuclear reactor fuel pool to at least one of a discharged fuel rod and a nuclear fuel assembly, calculating an operating flux for the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of CRUD on the fuel rod, measuring a thickness of oxide on the fuel rod, calculating a maximized flux for the at least one fuel rod for a position of the one fuel rod in a nuclear reactor, calculating a maximized deposit for the fuel rod, calculating a maximized oxide thickness for the fuel rod, calculating a fuel condition index of the fuel rod, comparing the fuel condition index to an index constant, and removing the fuel rod from operation when the fuel condition index is greater than the index constant.

Abstract: A dispensing cap is disclosed for mixing a primary flowable substance, such as a soap, lotion, or the like, with a small dose of a secondary flowable substance, such as a fragrance. The dispensing cap includes a plurality of reservoirs containing a plurality of secondary flowable substances. Each of the reservoirs is associated with a secondary piston that, when actuated, causes the secondary flowable substance to be expelled from the reservoir into a mixing chamber in the cap, where it is mixed with the primary flowable substance. Upon mixing the two are dispensed together from a dispensing end of the cap. A selector ring is provided to enable the user to select one of the plurality of reservoirs. The selector ring has an actuation flange that aligns with the secondary piston that is associated with the selected reservoir.

Abstract: A method to assess and predict pressurized water stress corrosion cracking in operational nuclear power plants and the effect of adding zinc compounds into a reactor coolant system of the nuclear power plant.

Abstract: An ingestible scanning device includes, in an embodiment, a capsule housing having a transparent window and sized so as to be ingestible, a photo-sensing array located within the capsule housing, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image from a surface outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source for illuminating the surface outside the transparent window.

Abstract: A ballot authentication system uses a plurality of security features embedded in and/or printed on the paper stock used to print a ballot on which election-choice-information is printed and a voting unit that includes at least a scanner that is configured to detect the plurality of security features that are embedded in and/or printed on the ballot and authenticate the ballot based on the read information. The voting unit of the ballot authentication system can be configured to verify and confirm that the various security features embedded in and/or printed on the ballot is correct for a particular precinct of an election. The security features of the ballot authentication system can include static, dynamic and data security features.

Abstract: A power generating system wherein a turbine (34) is mounted on top of a tower (30) or tethered underwater. The turbine (34) includes a rotor having a main blade (20) connected to a rotor hub (40) and an extender blade tip (22, 22?) attached to the main blade (20). During manufacture, the optimum energy-capture is determined using site-specific conditions of one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity. The extender blade tip (22, 22?) is chosen from a number of extender blade tips having a length that is the closest to the determined optimum energy-capture. The chosen extender blade tip is attached to the main blade either during manufacture or on-site. Alternatively, a one piece blade is produced based on information determined from the site specific conditions. The tip of such one piece blade can be customized based on the information obtained.