Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWR) has an internal pressurizer volume containing a steam bubble and is surrounded by a containment structure. A condenser is disposed inside the containment structure and is operatively connected with an external heat sink disposed outside of the containment structure. A valve assembly operatively connects the PWR with the condenser responsive to an abnormal operation signal such that the condenser condenses steam from the steam bubble while rejecting heat to the external heat sink and returns the condensed water to the PWR. A quench tank contains water with dissolved neutron poison. A valved tank pressurizing path selectively connects the steam bubble to the quench tank to pressurize the quench tank, and a valved soluble poison delivery path selectively connects the quench tank to the PWR such that the quench tank under pressure from the steam bubble discharges water with dissolved neutron poison into the PWR.

Abstract: A pressurized water reactor (PWR) comprises a pressure vessel, a reactor core disposed in the pressure vessel, an integral or external pressurizer, primary coolant disposed in the pressure vessel and heated by operation of the reactor core, and a steam generator disposed in the pressure vessel and configured to convert secondary coolant in the form of feedwater into steam by heat transfer from the primary coolant heated by operation of the reactor core to secondary coolant in the steam generator. A controller is configured to perform a PWR control method including the operations of (i) adjusting one or more parameters of the PWR and (ii) adjusting a pressurizer water level setpoint based on a predicted direction and magnitude of change of a pressurizer water level of the PWR predicted to result from the adjusting (i).

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWR) includes a once through steam generator (OTSG) disposed in a generally cylindrical pressure vessel and a divider plate spaced apart from the open end of a central riser. A sealing portion of the pressure vessel and the divider plate define an integral pressurizer volume that is separated by the divider plate from the remaining interior volume of the pressure vessel. An internal control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) has all mechanical and electromagnetomotive components including at least a motor and a lead screw disposed inside the pressure vessel. Optionally CRDM units are staggered at two or more different levels such that no two neighboring CRDM units are at the same level. Internal primary coolant pumps have all mechanical and electromagnetomotive components including at least a motor and at least one impeller disposed inside the pressure vessel. Optionally, the pumps and/or CRDM are arranged below the OTSG.

Abstract: An integral pressurized water nuclear reactor for the production of steam utilizing a helical coil steam generator, a plurality of internal circulation pumps, and an internal control rod drive mechanism structure.

Abstract: An unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly component transport system that includes a clamshell-type inner liner that opens along its axial dimension to load and unload the fuel component being transported. The exterior dimensions of the liner conform to a generic overpack tubular container. The overpack is separable into an upper and lower section with the lower section having a V-shaped channel extending along its longitudinal axis. The liner is supported in the V-shaped channel by at least one row of shock mounts on either side of the channel. The lower section of the overpack is secured from rotation and the top section is latchably engaged to the lower section of the overpack.

Abstract: A thermally integrated burner/emitter/recuperator (BER) for a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) electric generator achieves improved energy efficiency using either liquid or gaseous fuels. A mixed ceramic and metallic alloy heat exchanger, together with a high temperature emitter, achieves increased energy density in a compact and lightweight assembly.

Abstract: A power transmission has three axes on which rotatably supported gears and selectively operable clutches are disposed to provide five forward speed ratios. The two highest speed ratios (fourth and fifth) have identical input clutch and gear units. The fourth ratio, the torque transmission path, includes a transfer gear ratio and utilizes the second speed ratio gears to develop a speed ratio different from the fifth speed ratio.

Abstract: A solar rocket for propelling and powering the electronics of a spacecraft includes a black body cavity of thermal storage material. Propulsion tubes and a connected nozzle axially extend through the black body cavity for burning propellant in order to provide thrust for the rocket. An insulation sleeve is removably located at the outer periphery of the cavity of thermal storage material. Energy conversion diodes surround the insulation sleeve. The thermal storage material, the insulation sleeve and the energy conversion diodes form a receiver. The receiver has a pair of spaced apart holes therethrough which lead into an interior space of the black body cavity in order to receive sunlight. A mirror assembly is located near each hole of the receiver for harnessing sunlight and providing radiant energy through the holes into the internal space of the black body cavity.

Abstract: A passive cooling system for removing decay heat from an open cycle nuclear reactor. Coolant tanks are filled with coolant during normal operation of the reactor and coolant pump. A check valve in the inlet line for each tank prevents loss of coolant through the inlet line. After the reactor is shut down and the coolant pump is inoperative, coolant flows from the coolant tanks through exhaust lines into the normal coolant line and to the reactor for removal of decay heat. A flow control valve or fixed orifice in the exhaust line for each tank provides for a different predetermined flow rate of coolant from each tank to match the decay heat rate of the reactor.

Abstract: An accumulator disposed in an actuating circuit for a fluid operated friction device provides a first time pressure relation during engagement of the device and a second time pressure relation during disengagement of the device.

Abstract: A thermionic reactor for providing electrical power and propulsion power. A reactor vessel has a plurality of thermionic heat pipe modules located therein and spaced apart on a hexagonal pitch. Nuclear fuel elements are positioned in the spaces between the thermionic heat pipe modules. Insulating material is provided between the reactor vessel and the array of thermionic heat pipe modules and nuclear fuel elements. Propulsion power is provided by a propellant storage tank and propellant nozzle in fluid communication with opposite ends of the reactor vessel. The thermionic heat pipe modules serve to produce electricity and aid in removal of waste heat.

Abstract: A multispeed power transmission has an input shaft, a pair of parallel transfer shafts, a differential gear set and a pair of output shafts. The output shafts extend from opposite sides of the differential gear set and are disposed coaxial with one of the transfer shafts and the input shaft. An output gear set is connected for torque transfer between the other transfer shaft and the differential gear set. A plurality of clutch controlled ratio gears sets are connectible between the transfer shafts to provide selective gear ratios therebetween. A direct clutch provides selective connection between the one transfer shaft and the differential gear set in bypass relation with the output gear set. A forward clutch is selectively operable in combination with the clutch controlled ratio gear sets and a direct clutch to provide a plurality of drive paths between the input shaft and the differential gear set.

Abstract: A gas cooled nuclear fuel element. A cylindrical tube having an open lower end contains nuclear fuel disks stacked one upon the other to define an annular space between the tube and disks. An upper and a lower end fitting in the tube support the stack of fuel disks. Each disk has an axial bore or channel for coolant flow. The disks may also be provided with grooves extending radially on the upper or lower face from the axial channel to the outer edge of each disk. The lower end fitting has a central bore that is coaxial with the axial channel in the disks. Coolant flows into the annular space, radially between disks, and then axially out the disks and lower end fitting.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element for a particle bed reactor. Concentric inner and outer porous cylinders attached at either end define an annulus therebetween that contains a fuel particle bed of nuclear fuel material. The outer porous cylinder is provided with fins that extend radially outward along its entire length. A nonporous cylinder is attached to the outer porous cylinder at either end and is positioned around the outer porous cylinder so as to be concentric therewith. Flexible fins extend radially inward form the nonporous cylinder along its entire length and contact the fins on the outer porous cylinder for conduction of heat to heat removal tubes on the outer surface of the nonporous cylinder. The heat removal tubes allow bimodal cooling of the particle bed reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a five-speed, epicyclic transmission assembly having a compound planetary gear set encased in a common housing. Each planetary gear set has a sun gear and a ring gear. A plurality of pinion gears are operatively supported from a common carrier. The sun gears and ring gears of the two planetary gear sets are compounded by the operation of the pinion gears presented from the common carrier. Six, torque transfer devices are utilized. At least two of the torque transfer devices are input clutch members which selectively connect the input means to predetermined components of the planetary gear sets, and at least two of the torque transfer devices are reaction brake members that selectively ground predetermined components of the planetary gear sets to the housing. The sun gear in one of said planetary gear sets may be operatively connected to at least one of the input clutch members.

Abstract: A fluid operated friction torque transmitting device has an apply piston disposed in a housing. An apply chamber having a predetermined area is formed on one side of the piston, and an opposing or compensating chamber of lesser area is formed on the other side of the piston. A torque transmitting shaft and an inner hub portion of the housing cooperate to form a rotary valve member which is operable to connect the apply chamber to high fluid pressure and the opposing chamber to low fluid pressure, when torque is transmitted from the input side of the transmitter to the output side of the transmitter; and to connect both the apply chamber and the opposing chamber to high fluid pressure when torque is being transmitted from the output side of the transmitter to the input side of the transmitter.

Abstract: A torque converter clutch is provided with a temperature responsive valve which controls fluid flow from the apply chamber to the release chamber which is connected to exhaust. The increased fluid flow provides additional cooling for a viscous clutch which is included in the torque converter clutch.

Abstract: A positive displacement hydraulic mechanism for controlling the engagement of a slipping clutch in parallel drive relationship with a torque converter. The hydraulic device is operable in response to the speed differential between the impeller (input) and turbine (output) of the torque converter to control fluid flow from one side of a single plate clutch thereby controlling the pressure differential across the plate of the clutch so that the engagement force of the clutch is controlled to maintain a fixed speed differential between the turbine and impeller.

Abstract: A torque converter and slipping clutch wherein the ratio of torque split between the clutch and converter is controlled by a lever which, through a valve, controls the differential pressure engaging the clutch.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a torque converter lock-up clutch wherein a wide angle of relative movement between the input and output members of the clutch is provided. The damper has radially spaced, staged resilient members disposed in parallel torque transmitting relation between stages in a manner to permit the primary stage only to transmit torque during a predetermined amount of relative angular movement and permit the secondary stage to pick up torque transmission for further predetermined relative angular movements.