Abstract: An electrochemical process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and plutonium from spent metal clad fuel pins is disclosed. The process uses secondary reactions between U.sup.+4 cations and elemental uranium at the anode to increase reaction rates and improve anodic efficiency compared to prior art processes. In another embodiment of the process, secondary reactions between Cd.sup.+2 cations and elemental uranium to form uranium cations and elemental cadmium also assists in oxidizing the uranium at the anode.

Abstract: An electrorefining process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuel using an electrolytic cell having a lower molten cadmium pool containing spent nuclear fuel, an intermediate electrolyte pool, an anode basket containing spent fuel, and two cathodes, the first cathode composed of either a solid alloy or molten cadmium and the second cathode composed of molten cadmium. Using this cell, additional amounts of uranium and plutonium from the anode basket are dissolved in the lower molten cadmium pool, and then substantially pure uranium is electrolytically transported and deposited on the first alloy or molten cadmium cathode. Subsequently, a mixture of uranium and plutonium is electrotransported and deposited on the second molten cadmium cathode.

Abstract: A field effect transistor has its drain and source regions connected between one of the two supply pads of an operative integrated circuit, the gate of the field effect transistor being connected to the other pad such that the gate is negatively biased during reverse battery to prevent current flow through the circuit in this condition and, hence, to prevent destruction of the circuit. The FET is sized to have minimal voltage drop during normal, forward battery operation of the circuit. The FET can be implemented as either an N-channel or a P-channel device.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dendrites or other crystalline matter from the surface of a liquid in a matter transport process, and an electrolytic cell including such an apparatus. A notch may be provided to allow continuous exposure of the liquid surface, and a bore may be further provided to permit access to the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides power supply load dump protection circuitry for insuring that supply voltages that are applied to the supply pad of a low current logic circuit and which exceed a preselected voltage level are prevented from damaging the logic circuit and also from appearing at an output of the logic circuit. Three circuit areas are protected. An integrated 5V regulated supply circuit is protected by connecting the supply pad to a polysilicon resistor in series with the source of the p-channel MOS output pull up transistor of the regulator circuit, the drain of the driver being connected to the 5V regulated supply pad. 16V low current logic circuits associated with the input pads, output pads and the 5V regulator are protected by connecting the supply pad to a large value polysilicon resistor in series with hte power supply pads of these circuits.

Abstract: Switched body circuitry is provided to prevent a system I/O from being effected by the loss of power supply or ground to an MOS integrated circuit within the system. A semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type has formed therein a well region of a second conductivity type opposite to that of the first conductivity type. First, second, third and fourth spaced-apart shallow diffusion regions of the first conductivity type are formed at the surface of the well region. A first gate electrode and the second and third diffusion regions combine to form an MOS transistor which is either an input pull up or pull down device or an output pull up or pull down driver of the MOS circuit. A second gate electrode and the third and fourth diffusion regions combine to define a first MOS switched body transistor. A third gate electrode and the first and second diffusion regions combine to define a second MOS switched body transistor.

Abstract: A transducer head on a disk drive apparatus is offset about an expected center of a data track as indicated by servo information not included in the data track. If data does not have a predetermined level of readability, the head is known to be shifted with respect to the track. The data is then incrementally read and rewritten in a track centered about its expected center as indicated by the servo information. The amount of data incrementally rewritten at one time is a function of the disk characteristics and the amount of resources available to temporarily store the data. If more than one track appears shifted with respect to the head, the order of rewriting the tracks is selected to minimize risk of overlapping the tracks during the writing.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for refining a mixture of metals including spent fuel containing U and Pu contaminated with other metals, the cell including a metallic pot containing a metallic pool as one anode at a lower level, a fused salt as the electrolyte at an intermediate level and a cathode and an anode basket in spaced-apart positions in the electrolyte with the cathode and anode being retractable to positions above the electrolyte during which spent fuel may be added to the anode basket and the anode basket being extendable into the lower pool to dissolve at least some metallic contaminants, the anode basket containing the spent fuel acting as a second anode when in the electrolyte.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a radiant energy image into corresponding electrical signals including an image converter. The image converter includes a substrate 20 of semiconductor material, an insulating layer 23 on the front surface of the substrate and an electrical contact 22 on the back surface of the substrate. A first series of parallel transparent conductive stripes 25 is on the insulating layer with a processing circuit 33 connected to each of the conductive stripes for detecting the modulated voltages generated thereon. In a first embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5), a modulated light stripe 38 perpendicular to the conductive stripes 25 scans the image converter. The resulting modulated signals generated on the conductive stripes are detected by the processing circuits 40 to produce signals that represent the image focused on the image converter. In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a secondary electrochemical cell includes an outer enclosure defining a compartment containing electrochemical active material. The enclosure includes a rigid electrically conductive metal sheet with perforated openings over major side surfaces. The enclosure can be assembled as first and second trays each with a rigid sheet of perforated electrically conductive metal at major side surfaces and normally extending flanges at parametric margins. The trays can be pressed together with moldable active material between the two to form an expandable electrode. A plurality of positive and negative electrodes thus formed are arranged in an alternating array with porous frangible interelectrode separators within the housing of the secondary electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell includes electrodes separated by a layer of electrically insulative powder. The powder includes refractory materials selected from the oxides and nitrides of metals and metaloids. The powdered refractory material, blended with electrolyte particles, is compacted as layers onto an electrode to form an integral electrode structure and assembled into the cell. The assembled cell is heated to its operating temperature leaving porous layers of electrically insulative, refractory particles, containing molten electrolyte between the electrodes.