Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is an apparatus for interrupting current flow between a fixed contact and a movable contact. An insulating partition has an aperture, and the fixed contact and movable contact are on opposite sides of the partition aperture. The movable contact is coupled to a first movable electrically insulating member, and the first insulating member is coupled to a second movable insulating member, each member being adjacent the partition. A third movable insulating member is coupled to the partition opposite the first and second insulating members with respect to the aperture. The third insulating member extends partially over the aperture. The first and second member are coupled to the movable contact so that when the movable contact is moved to an open current-interrupting position, the second insulating member covers the aperture, and the first insulating member engages the third insulating member and covers both the second insulating member and the aperture.

Abstract: A bottom head to shell junction assembly which, in one embodiment, includes an annular forging having an integrally formed pump deck and shroud support is described. In the one embodiment, the annular forging also includes a top, cylindrical shaped end configured to be welded to one end of the pressure vessel cylindrical shell and a bottom, conical shaped end configured to be welded to the disk shaped bottom head. Reactor internal pump nozzles also are integrally formed in the annular forging. The nozzles do not include any internal or external projections. Stubs are formed in each nozzle opening to facilitate welding a pump housing to the forging. Also, an upper portion of each nozzle opening is configured to receive a portion of a diffuser coupled to a pump shaft which extends through the nozzle opening. Diffuser openings are formed in the integral pump deck to provide additional support for the pump impellers. The diffuser opening is sized so that a pump impeller can extend at least partially therethrough.

Abstract: Difference in internal diameters of flanged fluid-flow components, such as pumps and valves, are accommodated by the present flow adapter with a much lessened space requirement. The adapter is preferably formed as a metal casting with parallel faces, and with its tapered bore, which extends from one face to the other, surrounded by a pattern of tapped holes, into which the flanges of the fluid-flow components are screwed. No nuts are used; there is no need for access to the space occupied by the adapter, between the flanges of the two fluid-flow components. Results include a much lessened installation length with only a modest loss of fluid-flow efficiency.

Abstract: A surgical lifter adapted to engage and lift the skin from the underlying tissue to create a work space in which a surgeon can operate, includes an expandable lifter head comprising at least two blades pivotally connected for relative pivotal movement between a deployed position in which the blades are fanned out, and a collapsed position in which the blades overlap one another; and a lifter shaft adapted to extend through the skin to engage the lifter head inside the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining a compression force in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a spring assembly facilitates applying compression force on the shroud head. The spring assembly, in one embodiment, includes two trusses and two torsion bars. The torsion bars extend between the trusses and are connected at opposite ends to the trusses. Each truss includes a truss support member, a hooking element, and a torsion converter element. The truss support member is configured to rest on the shroud head flange. The hooking element is pivotally coupled to the truss support member, and includes a hook adjacent a guide rod. The torsion converter element is coupled to the hooking element, and is vertically movable with respect to the truss support member. The converter element has two ends, each end splined to one of the torsion bars so that vertical movement of the converter element drives, e.g., rotates, the torsion bars.

Abstract: A method for deodorizing toilets, and in particular the flushing fluid in a closed toilet system, comprises the use of phospholipids in the fluid to kill or inhibit odor-causing microbes.

Abstract: A bolt and keeper assembly including a crimper for crimping a portion of the keeper into pockets formed in an upper portion of the bolt head are described. The crimper includes a hydraulic cylinder for carrying hydraulic fluid under pressure and a crimper body having a bore extending therethrough. The bore has first and second end portions and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions. The first end portion of the crimper body bore is configured to receive an end portion of the hydraulic cylinder, and the second portion of the crimper body bore is configured to receive at a least a portion of the bolt head and keeper assembly. When assembled, an upper portion of the bolt head and keeper assembly extends into the intermediate bore portion. A compressible ring is positioned in the intermediate portion of the crimper body bore at a location to engage the keeper and for crimping sections of the keeper into the bolt head pockets.

Abstract: A pressure suppressing and aerosol scrubbing system configured to be located between low pressure upper containments associated with modular reactor vessels is described. In one embodiment, the pressure suppression and scrubbing system includes a water tank having connected, partially filled water chambers and a vertical baffle having horizontal vent holes positioned near the bottom of the tank. Each water chamber is connected by a vent/relief line to one of the respective rectangular upper containments. The partially filled water tank assures that the respective containments are isolated from each other under normal operating conditions due to the water trap inherent in the system. In the event that an accident occurs in one of the reactors, the affected containment is heated by the sodium spray and/or pool fire and such heat forces its way through the pressure suppressing and scrubbing system to the unaffected reactor containment.

Abstract: A water-evaporation process for making thin one-color plastic lettering, as used in sets for computer-cutting and application in spaced array. Water-based plastics, particularly urethanes and acrylics are used instead of polyvinyl chloride. These more flexible films are opaque, resulting from use of large amounts of water-dispersed pigments. After spreading, the water is evaporated, causing the spread mixture to coalesce into a thin tough well-pigmented opaque film. Films less than two mils thick may be formed, free from migratory plasticizers which might cause pigments to migrate or to damage adjacent the flanking layers of adhesives and release films. The water evaporation process, at only about 220.degree. F., requires minimal workplace or environmental safeguards compared to the use of solvent containing systems.

Abstract: A portable office unit has an enclosure including two hingedly connected shells. Each shell has a back, a top, opposing sides, and an open front. The shells are pivotable between a closed position in which the open fronts of the shells face each other, and a closed position in which the shells are in side by side relation, with the open fronts facing generally in the same direction. Each shell has a work surface mounted to swing between a vertical position in which the work surface extends generally vertically inside the shell, and a horizontal position in which the work surface extends generally horizontally from the open front of the shell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for polishing seal surfaces in a nuclear reactor are described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a universal joint which has a universal joint housing and a drive shaft extending therefrom. A polishing plate is secured to the universal joint housing. A working surface of the polishing plate is configured to polish the seal surfaces. The seal surfaces of incore monitor housings and valves may, for example, be polished using various embodiments of the apparatus.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: A collapsible bird decoy comprises a planar body panel, shaped like the side silhouette of the bird, and a top panel shaped like a top-silhouette of the bird. The body panel and the back panel are adapted to infit in mutually perpendicular planes to form a body which resembles the bird's body when viewed from the sides or above. A wing panel extends generally outwardly from each side of the body formed by interfitting the body panel and back panel. The wing panels are preferably pivotally mounted to the body panel to pivot between a storage position in which the wings extend along the axis of the body panel, and a use position in which the wings extend vertically upwardly and can flex downwardly and outwardly from the body.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor including a heat pipe for transferring heat from the reactor pressure vessel to a steam supply vessel is described. More particularly, in one embodiment, the heat pipe includes an evaporator section positioned in the reactor vessel, a condenser section positioned in the steam supply vessel, and an adiabatic section extending between and in flow communication with the evaporator section and the condenser section. The adiabatic section of the heat pipe includes a substantially cylindrical outer sleeve and a substantially cylindrical inner sleeve. An annulus region is formed between the inner and outer sleeves and the annulus region is in flow communication with the steam supply vessel. An insulating layer covers an inner wall of the outer sleeve. A substantially annular wick member is positioned adjacent an inner wall of the inner sleeve, and a steam path is defined by an inner face of the wick member.

Abstract: There is described method and apparatus to obtain synchronized switching of switchgear. A superposition of forces is used wherein the moving contacts of switchgear driven by a conventional operating mechanism has a secondary force, either opposing or aiding, superimposed upon the mechanism force under predetermined conditions to incrementally either slow down or speed up the moving contact. The computed secondary force is applied by a small servo-motor attached to the moving contact shaft. The energy of the secondary force is derived from a real time comparison of the measured position of the moving contact with its preprogrammed position in ROM at each predetermined point on the voltage or current waveform. From this comparison the required pulse energy is calculated and fed to the servo-motor which translates into the secondary force of appropriate duration thereby making the necessary incremental velocity correction.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic lime dispensing and conveying system of the type comprising a lime storage container having a dust collector communicating with the storage container for removing dust from the air inside the container and venting the filtered air from the storage container, and a pneumatic conveying system having an air inlet for pneumatically conveying lime dispensed from the storage container through a conveying line. The outlet vent of the dust collector is connected to the air inlet of the pneumatic conveying system to reduce CO.sub.2 content of the air, and thereby inhibit scale formation in conveying line. The method of this invention comprises the step of pretreating the air used in the conveying system by exposing it to lime dust to reduce the CO.sub.2 content of the air. This is conveniently carried out by drawing the air through a dust filter connected to the lime storage container.