Abstract: A solid oxide fuel assembly is made, wherein rows (14, 24) of fuel cells (16, 18, 20, 26, 28, 30), each having an outer interconnection (36) and an outer electrode (32), are disposed next to each other with corrugated, electrically conducting expanded metal mesh (22) between each row of cells, the corrugated mesh (22) having top crown portions (40) and bottom shoulder portions (42), where the top crown portion (40) contacts outer interconnections (36) of the fuel cells (16, 18, 20) in a first row (14), and the bottom shoulder portions (42) contacts outer electrodes (32) of the fuel cells in a second row (24), said mesh electrically connecting each row of fuel cells, and where there are no metal felt connections between any fuel cells.

Abstract: A strap and vane positioning fixture is provided for aligning simultaneously the segments of straps forming a fuel rod grid. The fixture comprises a plate having a plurality of rods extending from it, in rows and columns, positioned for entry into cells of a grid. The rods at the periphery of the plate comprise a first set and have at their upper ends a spade with a single blade, the remaining rods comprising a second set and having at their upper ends a spade with a pair of blades. A method comprising engaging vanes extending from certain straps to align segments of each strap between the slots thereof, and holding the straps in the aligned position.

Abstract: The fuel assembly skeleton compaction system provides a means for remotely dismantling an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly skeleton once the nuclear fuel rods have been removed therefrom while the skeleton remains submerged in a coolant. The system comprises a feed chamber for holding the spent fuel assembly skeleton and for feeding a spent fuel assembly skeleton into a shear chamber which is arranged near the feed chamber. The shear chamber contains a shearing device for shearing the skeleton into small pieces and for moving the pieces of the skeleton into a compaction chamber which is located adjacent to the shear chamber. The compaction chamber contains a compaction cylinder for compacting the pieces of the skeleton introduced thereinto. A storage canister is located below the compaction chamber such that when the slide of the compaction chamber is opened, the compacted pieces of the skeleton may be pushed into the storage canister.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for laser machining a work piece comprising a laser lens adapted to be releasably mounted to permit cleaning of the lens to remove any debris collected thereon during laser machining. The mounting includes a cylindrical base for defining a path along which the laser beam emitted by the laser source is directed onto the work piece, and a mounting member for mounting the laser lens with respect to the cylindrical base and adapted to be removably mounted on the cylindrical base in a manner whereby the lens is disposed to a certain position with respect to the cylindrical base. To this end, there is included a locking member engaging the cylindrical base and biasing the mounting member and its laser lens to the certain position with respect to the cylindrical base.

Abstract: Laser machining a work piece in an environment that is non-reactive to the material of which the work piece is made. In particular, the laser machining apparatus includes a chamber for readily receiving a work piece and means for moving the work piece along its X, Y, and Z axes with respect to the laser beam, while maintaining the purity of the machining environment. To this end, the machining chamber is mounted upon means for driving the machining chamber along X and Y axes. The machining environment is maintained within the machining chamber and a sealing means taking the form of a plate having a substantially flat surface, that is disposed of a substantially uniform distance from the peripheral edge of the machining chamber, so that the machining chamber may be driven without resistance by the moving means.

Abstract: Apparatus for decontaminating radioactive components comprising an attachment mechanism for completely suspending the apparatus from the tube sheet of a nuclear steam generator, a first drive mechanism for moving the apparatus in a first direction, a second drive mechanism for pivoting the apparatus in a second direction, and a third drive mechanism for moving the apparatus in a third independent direction. The apparatus also comprises a dual nozzle arrangement attached to the third drive mechanism for directing a water-grit mixture toward the component to be decontaminated. The apparatus provides a mechanism for remotely decontaminating the channel head of a nuclear steam generator so as to allow working personnel to enter therein.

Abstract: The plug removal apparatus comprises a ram mounted in a rod both of which are mounted in an activating cylinder. The rod is capable of being scrwed into the plug such that when the cylinder is activated, the cylinder causes the ram to push the expander relative to the plug while the rod holds the plug thereby relieving the pressure on the plug. The activating cylinder may then be activated so as to extract the plug from the tube using short strokes. The apparatus is capable of being used manually or remotely so as to be able to remove plugs from heat exchangers and nuclear steam generators.

Abstract: A positionally variable mounting assembly for transducers used to interrogate a nuclear reactor vessel is disclosed. Means are provided for clamping each transducer of an array about its flange in a central restraining block. The central restraining block is, in turn, pivotally mounted in a yoke.The yoke is movable secured to bars or rails bolted to the transducer plate and, by loosening appropriate bolts, can be moved along the ways or pivoted about one of them. Further, the restraining block can be removed from the yoke and pivotally clamped in a different orientation to upstanding brackets attached to the transducer array plate, or rotated through 90.degree. and then secured again in the yoke.

Abstract: A tubular infrared lamp is mounted within the confines of a reflector and includes flattened, jacketed terminal structure on each end of the tube. Each terminal end extends through appropriately sized apertures in the opposed end walls of the reflector with the apertures including notches for receipt of the flattened terminals. Insulated terminal posts are mounted on the exterior side of the reflector end walls and wire leads extend tightly between the lamp ends and the corresponding post to secure the lamp against excessive axial movement. An insulating shield having an aperture, including notches, of similar size and configuration as the aperture of the end walls is disposed against the external surface of the end wall. The shield is oriented so that the notches of each respective aperture are in non-alignment, thus blocking cooling air flow, passing over the lamp ends, from entering the reflector.