Abstract: A direct fired system (10, 10') includes pulverizer means (14, 24) classifier means (12, 26, 28, 48, 76), burner means (16, 16') as well as a defined fluid flow path that serves to interconnect the pulverizer means (14, 24) and the classifier means (12, 26, 28, 48, 76) in fluid flow relation with the burner means (16, 16'). In accord with the mode of operation thereof, at the classifier means (12, 26, 28, 48, 76) a separation is had of the stream of the gaseous medium such that a portion of the gaseous medium is recirculated along with the oversize solid fuel particles back to the pulverizer means (14, 24) while the remainder of the gaseous medium is operative to convey the solid fuel particles that are of the desired size from the classifier means (12, 26, 28, 48, 76) to the burner means (16, 16') for burning, i.e., firing, in the latter.

Abstract: A mill recirculation system (10, 40) includes pulverizer means (14, 48), classifier means (12, 44) and burner means (16, 68) as well as a preestablished fluid flow path by which the pulverizer means (14, 48) and the classifier means (12, 44) are interconnected in fluid flow relation with the burner means (16, 68). In accord with the mode of operation thereof, a separation is had at the classifier means (12, 44) of the stream of the gaseous medium such that a portion of the gaseous medium is recirculated along with the oversize solid fuel particles back to the pulverizer means (14, 48) while the remainder of the gaseous medium is operative to convey the solid fuel particles that are of the desired size from the classifier means (12, 44) to the burner means (16, 68) for burning, i.e., firing, in the latter.

Abstract: An improved design for square cornered ductwork (10) particularly suited for use in those applications requiring ductwork capable of resisting pressures of 40" to 50" water gauge or higher, and wherein such pressures in turn produce end reaction loads that exceed two kips in magnitude. The subject square corner ductwork (10) includes a first member (12), a second member (14) having a width substantially equal to that of the first member (12), a third member (16), and a fourth member (18) having a width greater than that of the third member (16). The first member (12) and the second member (14) each lie in a plane that extends parallel to that of the other. The third member (16) and the fourth member (18) each lie in a plane that extends parallel to the other, and perpendicular to the plane of each of that of the first member (12) and the second member (14).

Abstract: A waste heat boiler (10, 38) of the type which is particularly suited for use in marine applications and which incorporates a feed mixing nozzle (50) that is operative for purposes of effecting, by utilizing steam taken from the steam generating bank (20, 48), a preheating of the feedwater that is fed to the steam drum (14, 42). In addition to the aforesaid feed mixing nozzle (50), the subject waste heat boiler (10, 38) includes a feedwater control valve (12, 40), a steam drum (14, 42), a circulation pump (18, 46), a steam generating bank (20, 48) and a centrifugal water separator (16, 44). The feedwater control valve (12, 40) is employed to modulate the flow rate of the incoming feedwater in order to maintain the desired level of water in the steam drum (14, 42). In turn the latter steam drum (14, 42) is intended to function in the manner of a reservoir for the circulating water that through the operation of the circulating pump (18, 46) is supplied to the steam generating bank (20, 48).

Abstract: A thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) for thermally removing from the used foundry sand the organic matter that is present therein. The subject thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) includes chamber means (26) in which the used foundry sand is heated to a predetermined temperature for a preestablished period in order to accomplish the burning away of the organic matter that the used foundry sand contains. The chamber means (26) includes inlet means (32) provided at one end thereof and outlet means (50) provided at the other end thereof. Feed means (34) are cooperatively associated with the pipe means (36) and thereby with the inlet means (32) for feeding the used foundry sand through the inlet means (32) into the chamber means (26). The subject thermal reclaimer apparatus (14) further includes rotating means (44) operative for effecting the rotation of the chamber means (26) as the used foundry sand is being heated therein.

Abstract: A method of effecting an examination by eddy current means (24) of the surface of a coated component (58) for cracks having at least a preset minimal dimension. The subject method can be used to detect such cracks in the surface of metal components (58) that are coated or covered with a nonmetallic material. Further, through the use of the subject method such cracks are detectable without necessitating the removal of the nonmetallic coating or covering from the surface of the metal component (58). The subject method encompasses the steps of establishing calibration readings for cracks of the desired dimension utilizing the eddy current means (24) with which the desired surface examination of the given component (58) is to be effected, performing a preexamination validation of the operativeness of the eddy current means (24), and conducting with the eddy current means (24) the surface examination of the given metal component (58) that is coated or covered with a nonmetallic material.

Abstract: Tie means employable for purposes of accomplishing the tying together of tubes of a superheater platen assembly. The subject tie means is particularly suited for use in those applications wherein a need exists to effect the tying together of tubes, which bear a tangential relationship to each other. The subject tie means comprises a multiplicity of cooperating tie members that are suitably affixed such as by being welded thereto, to the pair of tubes that the tie means is intended to tie together. More specifically, the multiplicity of tie members includes a first pair of tie members that is affixed to a first one of the pair of tubes and a second pair of tie members that is affixed to the second one of the pair of tubes.

Abstract: A torque structure particularly suitable for utilization in a power reactor of the Tokamak-type, and operable therein for purposes of providing support for the toroidal field (TF) coils that comprise one of the major operating components of such a Tokamak power reactor. The subject torque structure takes the form of a frame structure that is operable to enable torque loads acting on the TF coils to be equilibrated as close to the area of force application as feasible. The aforesaid torque structure includes an intercoil structure composed of spacer wedges that are interposed between each adjacent pair of TF coils. The spacer wedges, in turn, consist of bearing plates positioned between the TF coils so as to be in contacting relation therewith and a number of cross plates that are cooperatively associated with the bearing plates so as to form therewith a rigid assembly. The intercoil structure is affixed to a segmented, membrane shell that surrounds, encloses and supports the TF coil frames.

Abstract: A method particularly suited for manufacturing a pulverizer, i.e., grinding, roll (18) of the type that is designed to be embodied in a bowl mill (10) so as to be operative therein for purposes of effecting the pulverization of a material such as coal through the coaction of the pulverizer roll (18) with another surface with which the bowl mill (10) is provided for this purpose.

Abstract: An electrical circuit (102, 102') employable in cooperative association with welding means (90) for purposes of effecting the application of a weld deposited rib on the inner wall surface of a boiler tube (10), and through the use of which control is exercised over the size, pitch and pattern of the rib. For purposes of exercising control over the rib size and the rib pitch, the subject electrical circuit (102, 102') includes first (104, 104'), second (106) and third (108) electronic speed controller means that are connected in electrical circuit relation to the rotational motor means (92) of the welding means (90), the linear travel motor means (94) of the welding means (90), and the wire feed motor means (96) of the welding means (90), respectively.

Abstract: An electronic system particularly suited for effecting control over the pressure of the hydraulic fluid through which the journal loading is established on the grinding rolls (20) of a bowl mill (10) of the type that is employed to pulverize coal. The subject electronic system is operatively connected in circuit relation to the belt feeder means (12), located externally of the bowl mill (10), that supplies to the bowl mill (10) the coal that is to be pulverized therein. In addition, the subject electronic system is also operatively connected in circuit relation to the hydraulic power unit (22) of the bowl mill (10) that provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to the grinding rolls (20).

Abstract: A leak detection system 40 particularly suited for employment in a steam generator 10 of the type that embodies at least one tube sheet 34 or 36 to which ends of a multiplicity of elongated tubular members 32 are suitably secured. The subject leak detection system 40 is operative both for purposes of detecting the occurrence of leaks in the steam generator 10 as well as for purposes of enabling a determination to be made as to the probable location of the leaks and the direction of flow of the leaking fluid.

Abstract: A pack-off seal assembly 26 particularly suitable for use for purposes of effecting a seal between a wellhead housing 18 and a casing hanger 16. The subject pack-off seal assembly 26 is designed to be interposed between the cylindrical wall surface 18a of the wellhead housing 18 and that of a casing hanger 16 so as to be movable between a non-sealing position and a sealing position relative thereto in response to an actuating force of low torque magnitude being applied thereto. The pack-off sealing assembly 26 includes an upper metal seal 30 having downwardly extending lips 44, a lower metal seal 32 having upwardly extending lips 46, and a plurality of independent non-bonded elastomeric members 36, 38 of differing diameters suitably supported between the upper and lower metal seals 30, 32.

Abstract: A tubular member of the type, primarily intended for utilization in a boiler, and having rifling, i.e., ribbing, provided on the internal surfaces thereof that is operable for purposes of effecting the disruption of the internal flow of the fluid passing therethrough. The ribbing with which the subject tubular member is provided embodies a configuration that is preselected so that the ribbing is operative to enable accurate and precise control to be exercised through the use thereof over the movement of the fluid flowing through the tubular member. Consideration is given to the following factors, among others, in establishing the design criteria that, in turn, determines the configuration that the ribbing embodies in a given tubular member; namely, the type of fluid; the fluid pressure; the fluid flow rate; the internal dimensions of the tubular member; the temperature gradient within the tubular member wall, both circumferentially and longitudinally, etc.

Abstract: A method of providing tubes of the type intended primarily for use in boilers with a variably rifled interior surface. The function of the latter surface is to create turbulence within the tube operative to break up the laminar flow of the water or steam flowing therethrough so as to thereby promote more efficient heat transfer during steam generation and so as to minimize the susceptibility of the tube to overheat due to the effects of nucleate boiling.

Abstract: A head equipment support structure system (HESS) (10) particularly adapted to be cooperatively associated with a nuclear reactor vessel (12) for purposes of effecting a separation of the electrical cables (30) that are utilized in the head area of such a vessel (12), as well as for purposes of providing support for these cables (30). The subject HESS (10) which is in the form of an integral structure that is removably supported relative to the vessel (12) combines the features of cable support structure, missile shield, and cooling ductwork support structure. The HESS (10) embodies horizontally disposed multiple decks (14) to which the cables (30) are vertically routed from the reactor vessel head. The decks (14), which are located in vertically spaced relation directly above the reactor vessel head, support and separate the cables (30).

Abstract: A bimetallic spacer means designed to be cooperatively associated with a nuclear fuel assembly and operative to resist the occurrence of in-reactor bowing of the nuclear fuel assembly. The subject bimetallic spacer means in accord with one embodiment of the invention includes a member formed, at least principally, of zircaloy to which are attached a plurality of stainless steel strips. The latter stainless steel strips are located on the external surface of the zircaloy member and with the major axis of each of the plurality of stainless steel strips extending substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the zircaloy member.

Abstract: A compression hub for use in a fusion reactor system comprising a multiplicity of compression plates that are polygonal in configuration, and which are arranged in vertically stacked, spaced relation relative to each other. Each of the compression plates has rabbet means formed therein operable for receiving beam means in supported relation thereto. Securing means are provided for securing the beams in place relative to the rabbet means. The beam means are employable for purposes of effecting the interconnection of a plurality of magnet means to the compression hub. Each of the compression plates is also provided with fluid flow means. The fluid flow means of the compression plates cooperate with one another to establish a fluid flow path for coolant through the compression hub. The compression plates are interconnected together along their respective perimeters by seal plate means so as to form a closed, fluid tight structure.

Abstract: An imp mill having adjustment means, which is particularly suited for the fine and medium-fine grinding of softer non-metallic minerals and coal. The subject imp mill includes a housing that defines a grinding chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A multiplicity of swing-hammers are suitably mounted on a rotatable shaft for rotation within the grinding chamber whereby the swing-hammers are operable to effect the grinding of material located within the grinding chamber. The aforesaid shaft passes through the grinding chamber substantially at the center thereof and is externally driven by a suitable drive means. The imp mill further includes inlet means suitably supported on the housing so as to communicate with the inlet of the grinding chamber. The inlet means is operable to supply to the interior of the grinding chamber the material to be ground therein. There is also provided outlet means suitably supported on the housing so as to communicate with the outlet of the grinding chamber.

Abstract: A range of weld metals is disclosed that is resistant to changes in nil-ductility transition temperatures (NDTT) caused by exposure to neutron fluences greater than 1.times.10.sup.17 neutrons per square centimeter. Designed for use in nuclear reactor pressure vessels, the weldment that exhibits this resistance to neutron-induced ductility decreases is characterized by the condition that an index is less than 0.4. That index is the ratio of the sum of the weight percentages of nickel and silicon in the metal to the sum of the weight percentages in the metal of manganese, chromium and molybdenum. This constraint on the index, when applied to a weld metal within the composition ranges given in this specification, gives a weldment resistant to neutron-induced property changes.