Abstract: A mechanized lay up assembly line for composite structures has a tool delivery station having a plurality of rollers on its surface for moving tools across the surface. Adjacent to the tool delivery station is a work station. The work station includes a work surface. The work surface has a plurality of rollers that move from a position wherein the rollers extend above the work surface to support a tool above the work surface to a retracted position where the rollers descend below the work surface such that the tool is supported on the work surface. The mechanized lay up assembly line further includes a debulking diaphragm that moves toward and away from the work surface and a vacuum system for evacuating the space between the diaphragm and the work surface. Tools are moved from the delivery station to the work station with the work station rollers extended. When a tool is positioned on the work station its rollers are retracted to position the tool firmly on the working surface.

Abstract: Variability between composite structures can be reduced by utilizing forming and curing tooling that includes a cure tool and a preform tool. The cure tool has a curing surface. The curing surface defines the shape of a cured composite structure. The preform tool has a preform surface that is divided into at least first and second surface area portions. The first surface area portion is of the same surface shape to the corresponding surface area of the curing surface on the cure tool. The second surface portion is of a surface shape that is different from the surface shape of the corresponding surface area of the curing surface on the cure tool. The differences between the second surface area portion of the preform surface and its complementary surface on the curing surface is such that there is an increase in the surface area of the second surface area portion of the preform surface compared to a corresponding area on the curing surface of the cure tool.

Abstract: An irradiator (4) is provided for irradiating lumps of ore to detect the presence of gold in the lumps by neutron activation analysis. The irradiator (4) consists of a close packed array of three inner cylindrical ducts (14) and three outer cylindrical ducts (12) through which the lumps of ore are passed, with three neutron sources (16) arranged in the spaces between the inner ducts (14) and the outer ducts (12) to irradiate the ducts (12, 14) and to activate any gold by the reaction .sup.197 Au (n, n'.gamma.) .sup.197 Au. Each inner duct (14) is thus adjacent to two neutron sources (16), and is or larger cross-sectional area than the outer ducts (12).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a duct, for example in an under-sea crude oil pipeline, in which samples of a radioactive tracer are injected, at intervals, into the duct and the passage of the samples of tracer detected by a scintillator. The tracer is generated by irradiating a large volume of a liquid obtained from the environment of the duct with a neutron source, so that the sample has been irradiated for a prolonged period prior to injection.

Abstract: A gold sorting plant in which the gold content of lumps of ore is measured by means of a neutron activation analytical technique. Separate lumps of gold ore are graded in two sizes which are presented to an irradiator such as to irradiate them uniformly. The energized lumps of ore are conveyed to an analyzer/sorter station where the intensity of .gamma.-rays having an energy of 297 KeV from each lump of ore is measured, and it is accepted or rejected for further processing. Various forms of irradiator and analyzer/sorter are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for analysing a fluid, especially an oil/water/gas mixture of unknown composition flowing in a pipeline (10). The apparatus can operate remotely, for example on the sea bed. A gamma-ray source (12) and a diametrically arranged scintillator (20) enable the density to be determined; while a fast neutron source (14) and a diametrically arranged germanium gamma spectrometer (22) cooled by a cryo-cooler (26) enable the concentrations of the elements present to be determined. The apparatus also includes a pulsed fast neutron source and a gamma detector to determine the flow velocity of the fluid. The apparatus enables the weight fractions of oil, water and gas to be derived.

Abstract: A method of inspecting the cover of a buried pipeline comprising the operations of irradiating the inner wall of the pipeline with neutrons from a radioactive source carried by a vehicle traversing the pipeline, measuring the intensity of ionizing radiation within the pipeline arising from nuclear interactions occuring within the cover of the pipeline and its surroundings due to the neutrons emitted by the source, and recording the measured intensity of the said ionising radiation together with data representative of the position of the vehicle along the pipeline. Apparatus for carrying out the method also is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for ore sorting includes a neutron irradiator (12), and a detector assembly (14) for detecting gamma radiation emitted by irradiated lumps (21) of the ore. The irradiated lumps (21) after discharge from the irradiator (12), are divided into two channels (30) by at least one bifurcating device (28) held above a relatively high speed conveyor (26) transporting the lumps (21). Each channel (30) is subsequently divided into three streams (37, 38, 39) by diverting selected lumps (21) from the channel (30) as the lumps (21) are projected from the end of the high speed conveyor (26). The diverted lumps (21) in each stream (37, 38, 39) are allowed to fall on to a relatively low speed conveyor (50) which then presents the lumps (21) to the detector assembly (14).

Abstract: An irradiator for irradiating lumps of ore, to activate a selected substance in the ore by neutron activation, consists of a cylindrical chamber 10, a vibrated conical base 20 to control passage of the lumps through the chamber 10, and at least one coaxial annular neutron source 30 at one end of the chamber 10. The neutron source 30 is arranged so that all the lumps of ore are activated uniformly.

Abstract: A method for determining the gold content of an auriferous material, comprising the operations of irradiating a body of the material with neutrons and determining the intensity of .gamma.-rays having an energy of 279 keV arising from the reaction .sup.197 Au (nn') .sup.197.sbsp.m Au.fwdarw.279 keV. Apparatus for carrying out the method also is described.

Abstract: A monitor for determining the ash content of coal in wagons consisting of a structure including means for irradiating each wagon as it passes the structure with a known dose of neutrons, means for detecting and measuring the intensities of .gamma.-rays emitted by ash-forming elements in the coal, and means for providing an indication of the concentration of the ash-forming elements. There also are included interlocks for ensuring that the neutron source is only operated when a loaded wagon is in the appropriate position.