Abstract: A tube expanding technique for securing a sleeve within a tube whereby fluid pressure is applied via an expander by incrementally decreasing the volume of the fluid system exclusive of the expander, or by incrementally increasing the mass of the fluid within the system. The system pressure and the rate of pressure increase as a function of incremental change in volume, or mass, are monitored. A decrease in the rate is indicative of the onset of plastic expansion of the sleeve or tube, as the case may be. By determining this point, the outer diameter of the tube may be accurately controlled to within six thousandths of an inch. A tube expanding device including a distensible sealed bladder for applying the expanding pressure and containing the system fluid.

Abstract: A tube expanding technique for securing a sleeve within a tube whereby fluid pressure is applied via an expander by incrementally decreasing the volume of the fluid system exclusive of the expander, or by incrementally increasing the mass of the fluid within the system. The system pressure and the rate of pressure increase as a function of incremental change in volume, or mass, are monitored. A decrease in the rate is indicative of the onset of plastic expansion of the sleeve or tube, as the case may be. By determining this point, the outer diameter of the tube may be accurately controlled to within six thousandths of an inch. A tube expanding device including a distensible sealed bladder for applying the expanding pressure and containing the system fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam injection of tobacco bales for use in the opening process. In the apparatus, at least one orificed steam injection plate is brought in flush contact with a tobacco bale that is stationary or in motion and steam is caused to emit from the orifice and is thereby injected into the bale moistening, conditioning and loosening the bonds between the tobacco leaves. In the method, as the tobacco bale is conveyed past the steam injection orifice plate, the plate is moved in flush contact therewith, steam is supplied to the plate and emits therefrom through the orifices to penetrate the tobacco bale. The bale so conditioned is subsequently broken up by a rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A rod-like smoking article with a rod-like mouthpiece core at the mouth end of a tobacco rod, the entire periphery of the mouthpiece core being enveloped by an adhered wrapping paper which is suitable for contact with the lips and which overlappingly follows a covering paper surrounding the tobacco rod and with secondary air channels covered by the wrapping paper on the periphery of the mouthpiece core and an apparatus for producing such an article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for establishing a predetermined concentration of gas in the reactor core coolant for a pressurized water nuclear power system. Gas is added to core coolant water in a bubble column. The gas-water mixture flows through static mixers in the column to produce the desired gas concentration in the water.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco compositions which contain a hydroxy-substituted carboxylate compound as a flavorant additive.In one of its embodiments, this invention provides tobacco compositions which contain a hydroxy-substituted alkanoate flavorant additive such as ethyl 2-(2-butyl)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-phenylpropionate: ##STR1## Under smoking conditions the above illustrated hydroxy-substituted alkanoate additive and its pyrolysis products flavor the mainstream and sidestream smoke.

Abstract: A method for quickly conditioning a mass of tobacco uniformly throughout the mass with steam for the purpose of moisturizing and heating the tobacco evenly throughout.A probe is provided to be inserted within the mass of tobacco for drawing a vacuum while steam is applied to the tobacco mass.A temperature sensor is mounted on the probe to indicate the temperature of inner mass of tobacco.Steam is applied until a desired temperature is sensed at the sensor. The application of steam is continued at that temperature for a period adequate to moisturize and sterilize the tobacco throughout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the alignment of a beam of radiant energy relative to a structure. A target is placed in the path of the beam, with an opaque reticle disposed in front of the target in the path of the beam in predetermined alignment with the structure. The beam impinges on the target to form a beam image and the reticle casts a shadow within the beam image. The positional relationship between the shadow and the outline of the beam image will be altered by any misalignment between the beam and the structure. The target is preferably chosen so that it will be permanently altered by the radiant energy of the beam, and the positional relationship between the shadow and the outline is preferably observed after exposure of the target to the beam.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for latching the front plate of a circuit board module to the circuit board module rack effected by merely inserting the module in the rack. The mechanism includes a resilient tab having a prong with a tapered head. The prong mates with an aperture of a mount on the rack such that at full insertion of the module the head engages the mount through the aperture thus precluding withdrawal of the module from the rack. Depressing the resilient tab allows withdrawal of the prong from the mount through the aperture to unlatch the mechanism and permit withdrawal of the module from the rack.

Abstract: A process for employing tobacco fines in a system for preparing reconstituted tobacco is disclosed. The tobacco fines are incorporated into concentrated extract before the extract is recombined with the reconstituted sheet or into an aqueous carrier. The slurry of fines in extract or other carrier is passed through a homogenizer and then is applied as a coating to the sheet. The further drying and shredding are done in the conventional way.

Abstract: For the preparation of tobacco, the insoluble proteins are initially made soluble by enzymatic treatment, dissolved and then eliminated in the solution by metabolic assimilation. The remaining solution components are then returned to the tobacco.

Abstract: A modular conveyor guide comprising first and second end walls and a connecting top wall having first, second and third regions adapted to guide first, second and third conveyors.

Abstract: A spacer grid for a nuclear fuel assembly wherein hangup between diagonally adjacent fuel assemblies in the reactor core during loading and unloading is essentially precluded by providing an inclined plane deflection surface at each corner of the spacer grid.

Abstract: An energy storage and recovery system designed for storing excess over demand energy generated by a steam cycle electrical generating plant during slack electricity demand periods and for recovering the stored energy to provide supplemental electricity during peak demand periods.The system utilizes one or more moving bed heat exchangers for transferring heat between the steam cycle of the power plant and a moving bed of refractory particles. Pipes and valves establish fluid communication between the heat exchangers and the steam cycle to supply fluid to selectively heat the moving bed of refractory particles or to cool them as the case may be.One or more insulated silos are provided for storing the refractory particles and means are provided for transporting the particles between the silos and the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention provides a nuclear fuel assembly lock structure for control rod guide tubes. Illustratively, a sleeve telescopes over an end portion of a control rod guide tube which bears against an internal shoulder of the tube. The upper end of the sleeve protudes beyond the control rod guide tube spider and is locked in place by means of a resilient cellular lattice or lock that is seated in a mating groove in the outer surface of the sleeve. A special tool is provided for disengaging the entire lock structure, washer, spider, spring and grill from the end of the fuel assembly in order to enable these components to be removed in an assembled state and subsequently replaced on the fuel assembly after inspection and repair.

Abstract: A technique is provided for engaging and disengaging burnable poison rods from the spider in a fuel assembly. The cap on the end of each of the burnable poison rods is provided with a shank that is received in the respective bore formed in the spider. A frangible flange secures the shank and rod to the spider. Pressing the shank in the direction of the bore axis ruptures the frangible flange to release the rod from the spider.

Abstract: A tube support structure for a helically coiled fluid heat exchanger including a plurality of support strips interconnected by a plurality of support members. Two tubes are nested between support members against a support strip, a spring plate is placed over the tubes and a second strip is pressed on the assembly to the desired spring pressure and affixed.

Abstract: A modular nuclear fuel assembly rack constructed of an array of identical cells, each cell constructed of a plurality of identical flanged plates. The unique assembly of the plates into a rigid rack provides a cellular compartment for nuclear fuel assemblies and a cavity between the cells for accepting neutron absorbing materials thus allowing a closely spaced array. The modular rack size can be easily adapted to conform with available storage space. U-shaped flanges at the edges of the plates are nested together at the intersection of four cells in the array. A bar is placed at the intersection to lock the cells together.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention provides a nuclear fuel assembly lock structure for control rod guide tubes. Illustratively, a sleeve telescopes over an end portion of a control rod guide tube which bears against an internal shoulder of the tube. The upper end of the sleeve protrudes beyond the control rod guide tube spider and is locked in place by means of a resilient cellular lattice or lock that is seated in a mating groove in the outer surface of the sleeve. A special tool is provided for disengaging the entire lock structure, washer, spider, spring and grill from the end of the fuel assembly in order to enable these components to be removed in an assembled state and subsequently replaced on the fuel assembly after inspection and repair.