Abstract: In order to reduce the flow resistance of a coolant flowing through a passage in a support plate of a boiling water reactor and entering a transition piece at a lower end of a fuel assembly resting on the support plate, a lower rim of the transition piece forms a conically tapered surface which fits into a corresponding conical counter-surface at an upper edge of the passage. The lower rim of the transition piece forms a circular inlet which is concentric with the passage and has a size equal to or slightly larger than the passage. Fingers protruding laterally into the passage and extending down into the passage are used to center the lower rim within the passage. Additionally, end caps of the fuel rods may be stream-lined and the lower tie plate of the fuel assembly may be spaced apart from an inner surface of a fuel channel by a plurality of ribs which form a plurality of peripheral through holes on each of the four inner surfaces of the rectangular-shaped fuel channel.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly includes a fuel assembly base, a fuel assembly head and mutually parallel fuel rods containing nuclear fuel and extending between the fuel assembly head and the fuel assembly base. A water tube having first and second open ends extends parallel to the fuel rods. The first end of the water tube grips and is held at the fuel assembly base. An elongated extension body has first and second ends. The second end of the extension body grips and is held at the fuel assembly head. The second end of the water tube is screwed into the first end of the elongated extension body, or the first end of the elongated extension body is screwed into the second end of the water tube. The elongated extension body has two mutually coaxially disposed partial bodies. One of the partial bodies has the second end of the extension body and the other of the partial bodies has the first end of the extension body. One of the partial bodies is screwed into the other of the partial bodies.

Abstract: In a foot of a fuel assembly of a boiling water reactor, an upper edge of a transition member is tight against a lower edge of a fuel assembly casing to substantially prevent bypass flow between them. Rather, bypass apertures are provided therefor over all sides of the fuel assembly casing. In a first position of a base plate lying on the transition member, the bypass apertures on some sides are blocked by lateral surfaces of the base plate, while in a second position of the base plate, the bypass apertures of other sides are blocked. The direction of the bypass flow can thus be predetermined regardless of the position of the fuel assembly casing.

Abstract: A fuel assembly includes a cluster of mutually parallel fuel rods. A fuel assembly channel laterally surrounds the cluster of fuel rods and has a substantially rectangular cross section and flat channel walls. Grid-like spacers having meshes formed therein each receive a respective one of the fuel rods for guiding the fuel rods in a plurality of axial positions. At least one support spring laterally supports each respective one of the fuel rods in the mesh guiding the fuel rod. Each of the spacers have inner ribs being aligned parallel to the fuel rods and outer peripheral ribs opposite the channel walls. At least some of the inner ribs are fastened to the peripheral ribs, and the outer peripheral ribs are joined together only by the inner ribs.

Abstract: A fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor includes a cluster of mutually parallel fuel rods. A fuel assembly channel laterally surrounds the cluster of fuel rods and has open upper and lower ends. A top plate covers the upper open end of the fuel assembly channel and has coolant outlets formed therein. A foot part is assembled from a plurality of individual parts and includes a cast transitional piece having a lower end with an inlet opening formed therein and an upper edge inserted into the open lower end of the fuel assembly channel. The transitional piece defines and surrounds a flow channel widening upward in funnel-like fashion from the inlet opening. The foot part also includes a base plate being disposed at and welded to the upper edge of the transitional piece. The base plate covers the open lower end of the fuel assembly channel and has coolant inlets formed therein.

Abstract: In a fuel assembly, lower end pieces of fuel rods, guide tubes and coolant pipes, etc., are inserted and/or screwed into a base plate and secured against lifting by a bolt. In the case of fuel rods, in particular fuel rods which do not extend over the entire length of normal rods, the bolt is screwed onto connecting parts in such a way that a releasable bayonet closure is produced. In the case of coolant pipes of boiling water reactors, there is provided in particular a screw connection which is irreleasably secured against torsion by the bolt.

Abstract: A fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor includes approximately mutually parallel fuel rods in a bundle having upper and lower ends. A skeleton holding the bundle has a handle, an upper tie plate retained on the handle at the upper end of the bundle, a lower tie plate at the lower end of the bundle, and at least one support element joining together the lower tie plate and the upper tie plate. The skeleton and the bundle are inserted in a fuel assembly case. A redundant support device holds the lower tie plate, the fuel assembly case and the upper tie plate together, when the handle is lifted.

Abstract: In order to obviate the use of supporting rods, an upper end piece of a coolant tube penetrates a fuel assembly head of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly and is supported on the fuel assembly head. A lower end piece of the coolant tube is fastened to and supported by a fuel assembly foot, in particular with rods of partial lengths. A supporting skeleton therefore includes the foot and the coolant tube with spacers. The fuel assembly head and a handle are placed on the skeleton and screwed onto the coolant tube after fuel rods are pushed into meshes of the spacer.

Abstract: In a fuel assembly, lower end pieces of fuel rods, guide tubes and coolant pipes, etc., are inserted and/or screwed into a base plate and secured against lifting by a bolt. In the case of fuel rods, in particular fuel rods which do not extend over the entire length of normal rods, the bolt is screwed onto connecting parts in such a way that a releasable bayonet closure is produced. In the case of coolant pipes of boiling water reactors, there is provided in particular a screw connection which is irreleasably secured against torsion by the bolt.

Abstract: A gap between a foot part and a channel of a boiling water fuel assembly is sealed against a coolant flow by a spring being supported by a central part thereof against the channel and by sides thereof against the foot part and being clipped and/or clamped on at that location even when all of the fuel rods are removed. For this purpose, the upper edge can extend around the foot part edge or the spring may be constructed as a spring band running entirely around the foot part and being fitted into a lateral groove.

Abstract: A hydraulic control rod drive for a nuclear reactor, with a a reactor plenum enclosing the drive, comprises first and second hollow bodies together forming a cylinder and a hollow piston. Working fluid is supplied through one of the hollow bodies. The first hollow body is stationary and the second hollow body is disposed coaxially around the first hollow body. The two hollow bodies define an annular gap therebetween so as to allow axial reciprocating movement of the second hollow body, which forms a carrier body for control elements of the control rod. The second hollow body can be lifted, lowered or suspended by feeding working fluid. A portion of the fluid is removed from the inner space via a throttle passage. A positional measurement system determines the relative displacement of the second hollow body by measuring an ultrasonic measurement path. The system includes an ultrasound reflector and an ultrasonic transducer rigidly mounted remote from the ultrasound reflector.

Abstract: A power generator circuit is adapted to be driven by the output of a vehicle alternator. The circuit includes an input for receiving a rectified DC output from the alternator, and a pair of step-up transformers which are connected to the AC output from the alternator. The rectifiers are connected to the outputs of the step-up transformers, and are connected in series with the rectified DC output from the alternator to provide a relatively high voltage DC output. This output can be used to operate power tools, for example. The circuit includes a welding output, and allows normal charging of the vehicle battery when not being used as a power source.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel enclosing a plenum, a core in the pressure vessel, a pressure-tight encapsulation in the pressure vessel communicating with the plenum, and control members passing through the encapsulation and having first and second control member segments. The second control member segment has an absorber part to be at least partly inserted into and retracted out of the core for controlling reactivity. The first control member segment has an outer drive part. A control drive is associated with the outer drive part for adjusting the control member along the longitudinal direction thereof. An antieject device for restraining ejection of the control member out of the pressure vessel due to a leak at the encapsulation includes a rod coupling having a disengageable coupling catch interconnecting the first and second control member segments and remaining in engagement during normal control motion of the control member and means for unlocking the coupling catch.

Abstract: Novel combination preparations containing 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 or 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 and 1.alpha.,24,25(or 1.alpha.,25,26)-trihydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 are described. These preparations are useful in the treatment of various disorders which are characterized by disturbances of the calcium and phosphate metabolism such as osteoporosis and can also be used in animal nutrition.

Abstract: An electrical power supply used on a motor vehicle is interconnected with the vehicle battery, alternator and regulator. The power supply includes a voltage multiplier for multiplying the rectified output voltage from the alternator, and welding sockets for facilitating a welding operation. A multi-pole switch exclusively selects the operating mode of the power supply from among normal battery charging, power appliance operation and welding.

Abstract: A method for the inspection of screws with an eddy current test probe including an insulating material body having a linear contact surface and at least one coil disposed in the body, includes orienting the coil transverse to threads of a reactor pressure vessel setscrew to be inspected, feeding high-frequency alternative current through the at least one coil, generating a coil field covering at least two threads, and guiding the linear contact surface along the threads, and a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The regular packing element is formed by layers of inclined deflecting elements. The deflecting elements are arranged in criss-crossing relation to each other and provide continuous flow channels which are open at both ends. In addition, the flow channels are open laterally to the flow channels of the adjacent layers of the deflecting elements. The packing provides for an improved and accelerated mass transfer between two media flowing through the packing in countercurrent.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for the preparation of 1 hydrogen or hydroxy cholesterol derivatives and intermediates therefor. The compounds of the present invention are useful as intermediates in the preparation of 24,25-dihydroxy and 1.alpha.,24,25-trihydroxycholecalciferol.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for the preparation of 1 hydrogen or hydroxy cholesterol derivatives and intermediates therefor. The compounds of the present invention are useful as intermediates in the preparation of 24,25-dihydroxy and 1.alpha., 24,25-trihydroxycholecalciferol.

Abstract: The liquid distributing device provides for a gravimetric distribution of liquids to mass and heat transfer columns. The device employs a container with pipe outlets, a plurality of individual distributors in the form of manifolds and metering devices between the container and individual distributors for metering the partial flows of liquid to the individual distributors. The device is particularly suitable for columns having a large cross-section and insures a uniform distribution of liquid even where the column or device is inclined.