Abstract: A method for sealing cracks adjacent stub tube attachment welds in a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear reactor is described. The reactor pressure vessel includes at least one stub tube through which a control rod housing extends. The control rod housing is attached to one end of the stub tube with an upper stub tube attachment weld. A sidewall of a control rod drive housing is cut at a location below the upper stub tube attachment weld to separate an upper portion of the control rod housing from a lower portion of the control rod housing. The lower portion of the control rod drive housing is removed from the bottom head opening, and a replacement lower portion is positioned in the bottom head opening proximate to the remaining upper portion. The replacement lower portion then is secured to the reactor pressure vessel without securing the replacement lower portion to the remaining upper portion of the control rod drive housing.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is an alarm system for detecting the presence of a person locked in a parked automobile. The alarm system includes a motion detector and a temperature detecting element coupled to a NOR gate. The motion detector transmits a low signal to the NOR gate once it detects motion within the interior of the automobile. The temperature detecting element transmits a low signal to the NOR gate if the temperature in the automobile exceeds a pre-determined extreme temperature. The NOR gate, upon receiving low signals from both the temperature detecting element and the motion detector, transmits an alarm signal.

Abstract: There is described a fuse comprising a housing and a current carrying strip of metal comprising a fuselink enclosed in the housing, each end of which electrically extends through the housing as an electrical connection. There being at least one first section of the metal strip for severing upon predetermined fault conditions, and at least one second section of the metal strip, distanced from the first section, having the properties of a hinge for pivoting. There further being at least one exothermic source in the proximity of the first section that substantially upon severance of the metal strip at the first section is ignited, and causes at least one segment of the severed metal strip to be propelled about the second section comprising the hinge. There further being an arc chute in proximity to the path of the moving severed edge of the first section such that fault current limiting is obtained.

Abstract: A wheeled caddy for transporting a row of nested shopping carts. The caddy includes a cage for receiving the front end of the first shopping cart in the row. A tether extends from the caddy and adapted to be attached to the last cart in the row. The caddy has a normally engaged brake, and a handle operatively engaged to the brake and normally biased to a neutral position in which the brake is engaged, but which, when pulled to move the caddy, disengages the brake.

Abstract: A protective sleeve includes an outer member and an inner member slidable within the outer member. The outer member has a tubular portion with a first end and a second end, and an attachment assembly is located at the first end of the tubular portion. The outer member further includes a plurality of spring plungers secured to an inner wall of the outer member. The attachment assembly includes a collar and a drip skirt secured to the collar. The attachment assembly is threadedly engaged to the first end of the outer member tubular portion. The inner member includes a first end positioned within the outer member and a second end. At least a portion of the inner member extends from the second end of the outer member. The inner member is movable relative to the outer member. A plurality of spring plungers are secured to an outer wall of the inner member. The spring plungers extend between the outer member and the inner member.

Abstract: A power transfer device for electrically isolating two alternate power sources to a power distribution device so that only one power source is electrically connected to the power distribution device at one time. The power transfer device includes a first switch, connected to the first power source, having a actuator for operating the switch between an "on" position in which the first power source is electrically connected to the distribution pedestal, and an "off" position in which the first power source is electrically disconnected from the distribution pedestal, and a second switch, connected to the second power source, having a actuator for operating the switch between an "on" position in which the second power source is electrically connected to the distribution pedestal, and an "off" position in which the second power source is electrically disconnected from the distribution pedestal. A bar is slidably mounted adjacent the actuators on the first and second switchers.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a method for identifying an optimum control blade positioning arrangement. The method generally has an initialization phase and a running, or search, phase. In the initialization phase, an initial control blade positioning arrangement is identified. Once the initial control blade positioning arrangement is identified, such arrangement is then optimized, within the defined constraints, in the running phase. More specifically, in the running phase, each control blade position is analyzed to determine whether the control blade position can be changed from the initial position to either satisfy a constraint or optimize cycle energy, or both.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repairs and inspections in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a support mast facilitates the positioning of tools within the RPV, especially at locations that are extremely difficult to access using known methods and apparatus. In the one embodiment, a mast extends in the reactor pressure vessel and through an opening in the top guide and through an opening in the core plate. The mast includes an outer tube and an inner tube positioned at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is connected to a robotic arm. A slot is formed in the outer tube and the slot extends at least partially along the axial length of the mast. The portion of the inner tube positioned at the location of the slot is in free communication with the reactor components when the mast is positioned within the RPV. The robotic arm can access the reactor components through the slot in the outer tube.

Abstract: A thermal sleeve for insertion into a feedwater nozzle bore of a reactor pressure vessel for a nuclear reactor is described. In one embodiment, the sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical main body and a substantially cylindrical interference ring. The interference ring has a first secured end and a second free end. The interference ring is connected at the first secured end to an exterior surface of the substantially cylindrical main body. An interference surface is located at the second free end of the ring. The second free end of the cylindrical interference ring is biased so that when the sleeve is positioned in the nozzle bore, the second free end is biased towards the nozzle bore wall. In one embodiment, the second free end is biased into contact with a surface of an outer sleeve which also is positioned in the nozzle bore. The connector, a nozzle safe end wall, the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve cooperate to define a stagnant water area.

Abstract: A bottom open sled system for exchanging control rod drives in a nuclear reactor is described. The system, in one form, includes a tower forming a control rod drive receiving area, at least one acme screw extends substantially the length of the tower and is mounted within the receiving area. An elevator is coupled to the acme screw and is movable relative to the acme screw. The elevator is configured to engage a portion of the control rod drive and to substantially support the control rod drive. The system further includes a trunnion cart engaged to the tower so that the tower is rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A portable emergency care facility having an elongate enclosure having first and second ends and two opposing long walls extending between the first and second ends. There are a plurality of wheels on the enclosure to facilitate transporting the facility. Inside the enclosure are a plurality of treatment tables extending from one of the long walls toward the center of the enclosure, each of the treatment tables being sufficiently spaced from the others to allow patient access on both sides of the treatment tables, and being separated by a by a movable privacy curtain. There is an access opening in each end of the enclosure, and an air curtain at each access opening. An oxygen source, and a manifold and piping system extending through the wall adjacent the treatment tables, with an outlet adjacent each treatment table. A compressor for generating pressurized air, and a manifold and piping system extending through the wall adjacent the treatment tables, with an outlet adjacent each treatment table.

Abstract: There is described a novel arc extinction method for use in switchgear, and improved, low cost power switchgear incorporating the novel arc quenching method. By physically severing the arc and the substantially simultaneous interposition of a high dielectric strength insulating barrier between the fixed contact and the moving contact, substantially consistent and predictable arc extinguishing characteristics are obtained. When the dielectric strength of the barrier exceeds the applied voltage, the arc cannot maintain itself nor can it reignite. Upon detection of a fault, moving contact 16 disengages from fixed contact 12 and retreats 28 from contact 12 creating arc 30. Insulating guillotine 24, in intimate sliding contact with the surface of insulating partition 18 moves 26 toward aperture 20 in partition 18. When edge 31 of guillotine 24 reaches aperture edge 33 of partition 18, arc 30 is severed and extinguished.

Abstract: It is generally known that the most common reason for replacing rotary electric machines is failure of field windings. Vibrations and primary overheating of field windings is the main reason for motor and generator repair. Consequently field windings have been fan cooled, externally ventilated, and totally enclosed. To solve this failure problem stators have been completely encapsulated, drip coated, and entirely coated. But all of these procedures are subject to certain disadvantages. The method and apparatus herein overcome such disadvantages. The apparatus includes structural members for embedding in a solid material field windings of stators of rotary electric machines in order to insulate and cool electric machines in which the stators are employed.

Abstract: A method of playing a race game with a game apparatus that includes a game board having an endless loop track divided into a plurality of lanes. Each lane is divided into a plurality of spaces, the spaces being differentiated into at least card spaces and lane changes spaces. There are a plurality of action cards that direct the players to take certain actions, and a playing piece for each player. Each player takes a turn moving his or her playing piece around the spaces in a lane of the track. No player's playing piece is allowed to pass over another player's playing piece in the same lane. The player draws an action card if at the end of the turn the player's playing piece is on a card space, and the player has the option of changing lanes if at the end of the player's turn the player's playing piece is on a lane change space. Play continues until one player has traversed the track a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus for lifting and suspending bulk material including a support adapted to attach to a scaffold. The material handling apparatus further includes a load connector extending downwardly from the support adapted for engaging a bag of bulk material and a locking element connected to the support. The locking element is adapted to engage and disengage the load connector for reciprocally restricting and allowing movement of the load connector.

Abstract: A core spray line assembly for a nuclear reactor is described. In one embodiment, the core spray line assembly includes first and second core spray lines. Each of the core spray lines is substantially located within the reactor pressure vessel and has first and second ends connected to the shroud The first and second core spray lines include an adjustable core spray header and first and second articulating vertical pipe connector. The adjustable core spray header and articulating pipe connectors facilitate fast and easy replacement of existing core spray lines with the present core spray lines.

Abstract: A shroud for a nuclear reactor is described. In one embodiment, the shroud includes first and second shroud sections, and each shroud section includes a substantially cylindrical main body having a first end and a second end. With respect to each shroud section, a flange is located at the main body first end, and the flange has a plurality of bolt openings therein and a plurality of scalloped regions. The first shroud section is welded to the second shroud section, and at least some of the bolt openings in the first shroud section flange align with respective bolt openings in the second shroud section flange. In the event that the onset of inter-granular stress corrosion cracking is ever detected in the weld between the shroud section, bolts are inserted through bolt openings in the first shroud section flange and through aligned bolt openings the second shroud section flange. Each bolt, in one embodiment, has a shank section and first and second threaded end sections.

Abstract: An information distribution system, in accordance with one form of the present invention, includes a central information bank and a central transactional data base coupled to point-of-sale delivery systems. Information flows between each point-of-sale delivery system and the central information bank and central transactional data base via a communication network such as the telephone network, a satellite network, or any other network suitable for the transfer of information. The point-of-sale delivery systems may take one of many forms including a point of purchase delivery system, a point of rental delivery system, a "book bank" subsystem, a promotional delivery system, or any combination of such systems.

Abstract: An electronic personal library apparatus comprises a control unit, programmable memory modules selectively communicated with the control unit to supply programmed information to the control unit, programmable compact cylinders, and a compact cylinder reader that communicates electronically with the control unit. The compact cylinders are encoded with information and the cylinder reader accesses the information and provides the information to the control unit. The control unit stores portions of the information received from the cylinders in the memory modules communicating with the control unit, or displays sequential displays of the information encoded on the compact cylinders. The information network interfaces with the personal library apparatus and includes a central information storage facility that communicates with several separate book bank facilities, each at different geographic locations. The central information storage facility provides text of books, periodicals, magazines, etc.