Abstract: The irradiation plant comprises an irradiation chamber (1) with a radiation source (2) and a conveyor system. The path taken by each conveyor unit is individually preselectable by control elements secured to the unit. Articles for irradiation are loaded on to conveyor units and brought along tracks (10, 11) and shift devices (8, 8a) of two transverse tracks (4, 4A) to and from the irradiation tracks (3). When a radiation track (3) is loaded or unloaded by the shift devices (8, 8A), there is always a shift device (8, 8A) for each transverse track (4, 4A) at each end of the irradiation track (3). Sensors are present at the branches and transitions between the tracks of the conveyor system and are supplied to a control system which ensures that after each process of loading or unloading an irradiation track (3), not more than one of the two facing shift devices (8, 8A) is loaded.

Abstract: A flexible link belt has a flexible belt woven of weft and warp threads or filaments leaving interstices between the filaments. Links, such as snap buttons or gear teeth of synthetic material, have one portion on each side of the flexible belt. The link portions are secured to each other directly through the interstices by melting the link portions to each other through the interstices by injection molding.

Abstract: A flexible link belt is made by injection molding link portions into and through a flexible carrier webbing, whereby the link portions are also bonded to each other through holes in the webbing. The injection mold used for making the links has two mold sections each with a cavity portion corresponding to the respective link portion. The carrier webbing is held in place between the two mold sections. An injection nozzle reaches into one mold portion and a movable core reaches into the other mold portion preferably in such a position that the injection nozzle and the movable core face each other across the flexible webbing. The core distributes the injected plastics material into both mold portions and so that the plastics material must move primarily through the holes or interstices in the webbing.

Abstract: The vertical tubes of the storage rack are spaced apart by spacer strips which are welded to the tubes and which define seal-tight chambers which are filled with neutron-absorbing material. Individual covers are used to close each chamber and to permit ready access to the chambers for changing the neutron-absorbing materials. The spacer strips may be in the form of flat strips, angle strips, cruciform strips and bars. Each tube may also be made of a pair of angle plates which are welded to the base plate of the rack.

Abstract: A flexible link belt is made by injection molding link portions into and through a flexible carrier webbing, whereby the link portions are also bonded to each other through holes in the webbing. The injection mold used for making the links has two mold sections each with a cavity portion corresponding to the respective link portion. The carrier webbing is held in place between the two mold sections. An injection nozzle reaches into one mold portion and a movable core reaches into the other mold portion preferably in such a position that the injection nozzle and the movable core face each other across the flexible webbing. The core distributes the injected plastics material into both mold portions and so that the plastics material must move primarily through the holes or interstices in the webbing.

Abstract: The rack for storing nuclear fuel elements is provided with a plurality of joints for laterally supporting the upstanding tubes. Each joint is formed by a bar welded to the corner of a square tube in which a fuel element is to be contained. Each bar is, in turn, laterally contacted and secured to the adjacent bar by a tightening means. In one embodiment, the connecting bars are disposed in side-by-side relation with the tightening means including a horizontally disposed nut and bolt unit. In another embodiment, the bars are in the form of square bars which are shaped to accommodate a vertical bolt and nut assembly. In this embodiment, annular members having conical surfaces are received in mating grooves at the ends of the bars so as to draw the bars together during tightening of the nut and bolt unit. In a third embodiment, four square bars are drawn together via two U-shaped members horizontally disposed bolts.

Abstract: The frame consists of a base and a plurality of square tubes which are secured to the base in upstanding manner. The base consists of rows of intersecting, inter-fitted and inter-welded metal strips which are disposed in mutually perpendicular groups. The tubes are arranged on the strips in a checkerboard fashion with two walls of each tube substantially flush with two parallel strips. In addition, the rows of tubes are offset to one group of metal strips so that the strips are disposed in planes coincident with the longitudinal axes of the tubes in order to support nuclear fuel elements thereon.

Abstract: A lower part of a fused salt reduction cell used in the production of aluminum, comprises an electrolyte tank supported by metal beams. The tank is made up of an outer steel tank, a thermally insulating layer and an inner electrically conductive carbon lining which can withstand molten metal. A frame of steel sections arranged in a grid-like pattern in the longitudinal direction is made up of single, massive side sections and, spaced apart in keeping with strength requirements and cell design, so called cradles which enclose the side sections. The cradles are made up of pairs of solid side posts secured to lower supporting sections and upper bracing sections. The electrolyte tank is situated in the frame and fixed in place against the side sections via counteracting elements which can be deformed plastically or elastically.

Abstract: The rack has a base plate which is formed with a pattern of holes and tube sections which are located under the holes. Feet are threaded into the tube sections and can be adjusted through the tube sections and plate so as to level the base plate. Hollow bolts can also be threaded into the upper portions of the hollow tubes in order to clamp square support tubes to the base plate. Suitable adjustment means are also provided to adjust each foot.

Abstract: A mandrel for winding yarn having a plurality of sets of articulated arms rotatable about a central axis. Each set of arms is movable radially between a first position in which the sets define a generally cylindrically shape of small diameter and second position defining a generally cylindrical shape of larger diameter. A plurality of fingers are arranged respectively between selective adjacent sets so as to define a generally cylindrical shape having a diameter intermediate the small and larger diameter.

Abstract: The conveying apparatus for the bi-level irradiation chamber has a lifting device which cooperates with a bi-level rotary lock to introduce individual articles (piece goods) into the lock and to remove the articles from the lock. The lifting device allows an individual article to roll into one level of the lock while positively blocking entry of the following articles. Individual trollies are used to convey the articles within the irradiation chamber. The lifting device employs a catch to hold a trolley in position in the rotary lock to receive an article as well as a release device to release the catch after an article has been placed on a trolley.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a screening chamber filled with a radiation-screening liquid above the irradiation chamber in which a tubular radiation source carrier is mounted. The screening chamber is sealed off from the irradiation chamber while orifices are formed in the support member of the carrier to permit loading and unloading of the carrier with the radiation sources. These sources may be stored in a pit adjacent the irradiation chamber and submerged in the screening liquid.

Abstract: The material being treated flows out of a hopper in a thin layer onto a rotating drum and is moved through an irradiation zone formed by an electron beam which is directed radially at the drum. The hopper may use an adjustable metering edge or rotatable metering roller to vary the thickness of the layer of material on the drum.

Abstract: The flowable material is directed through an irradiation zone in a thin layer and in a free fall. In one embodiment, the material is accelerated by one or more rollers prior to entry into the irradiation zone. The thin layer may be directed vertically or horizontally past one or more electron beams.

Abstract: The turntable in the wall of the irradiation apparatus is provided with two vertically aligned chambers; one to introduce receptacles for irradiation, the other to remove irradiated receptacles. Ejector devices are provided in each chamber of the turntable to act in alternating manner to introduce a receptacle from one turntable chamber into the irradiation chamber or to eject an irradiated receptacle into the removal passage. The turntable can be used with a single-story or multiple-story conveyor system in the irradiation chamber.

Abstract: The container for holding the radiation sources is provided with a circular upper end and is closed by a common closure member. This member is, in turn, clamped onto the container by a holder via a bayonet connection. A clamping tool is also provided to remove the holder and permit replacement of the radiation sources. This tool also enables the holder and closure member to be pre-stressed before removing the holder and after re-assembly of the holder.

Abstract: The radiation sources of the mobile irradiation apparatus are mounted in a carrier which is mounted at the top of the irradiation chamber. A screening cover is disposed over the carrier and has a load-unloading passage which can be moved into alignment with a selected radiation-source containing passage in the carrier for loading and unloading purposes. The cover is secured in a closed position relative to the carrier via screws so that the load-unload passage is sealed with a passage in the carrier. The carrier is also movable relative to the cover via unloosening of the screws so that the cover can be brought to an open position in which the cover can rotate to bring the load-unload passage into alignment with a different passage in the carrier.