Abstract: A pile is plugged at its lower end or tip region so as to make it easier to drive. Additionally, such a plugged pile facilitates the transportation and handling of the pile prior to its driving.

Abstract: A method for processing chemical cleaning solvent waste that combines evaporation, purification, and detoxification. The method is mobile and thus allows the processing to be done at the site of the cleaning where the entire processing can be completed. Evaporation produces a concentrated solvent and vapor and gas. The concentrated solvent is detoxified to produce a dry residue for long term storage or disposal and a liquid that is filtered and then released to the surrounding environment. The vapor and gas are scrubbed and condensed to produce a gas that is suitable for release and a distillate. The distillate is purified by filtration and reverse osmosis to produce a distillate that is suitable for release.

Abstract: A method of setting out long mooring lines that includes the use of both a traction, or drum, winch and a linear winch. An anchoring vessel is provided with supply drums that contain the mooring line, a traction winch, and a linear winch. When the mooring line is lowered or retrieved, the traction winch, is used to maintain tension on the line until a connector approaches the traction winch. The linear winch is then engaged to maintain tension on the line, with the traction winch under low tension, until the connector passes through the linear winch. The traction winch is then reengaged to maintain all the tension on the line and the linear winch is disengaged until the next connector approaches the traction winch.

Abstract: A pile handling tool for use in lowering and stabbing a pile underwater. The tool incorporates a simple release mechanism to engage or disengage the tool from the pile using an ROV. A sleeve is sized to be received over the top end of the pile. A lifting eye is provided on the top of the sleeve. A stop plate is provided in the sleeve that allows it to rest on top of the pile. A pile centralizer provided in the sleeve substantially centers the pile in the sleeve when the sleeve is lowered over the pile. Pile support pins movably received in cylinders on the sleeve are form the release mechanism and are movable by an ROV for installation of the tool and lifting and installing of a pile.

Abstract: A debris resistant fuel rod sleeve that is received over the lower end of a fuel rod. The sleeve extends above the top of the lowermost spacer grid. Openings are spaced apart around the circumference of the sleeve to correspond to the location of hard stops in the spacer grid. The hard stops are received in the openings and retain the sleeves in position during operation and during reconstitution or recaging if necessary. The outboard side of the peripheral sleeves may be provided with top and bottom lead-in features to prevent hang-ups.

Abstract: A fixed, non-compliant, non-floating offshore platform subject to lower wave, wind, current, and rig loadings resulting from a configuration that supports the portion of the well casings that extend from near the seafloor to a deck level above the water surface using tension instead of intermediate lateral supports. Only the smallest one or two well casings among all those that comprise the well casing system are extended back from the seafloor, which further reduces the lateral loadings on the structure.

Abstract: A tube alignment strap for maintaining alignment and spacing between adjacent tubes in a superheater. A U-shaped strap receives a first tube in the U-shape of the strap. The open end of the strap is rigidly attached to pads provided on a second adjacent tube. A semi-circular collar has a bore at each end sized to receive the straight portions of the U-shaped strap such that the semi-circular collar is slidable over the U-shaped strap so as to be adjacent the first tube. The semi-circular collar is rigidly attached to the U-shaped strap.

Abstract: A marine vessel launch apparatus utilizing cradle wedges that are released by explosive triggers. The cradle wedges are located above each skidway and directly support the vessel. The cradle wedge is shaped and sized to provide a direct means of connecting the cradle wedge to the vessel tieback/support. The tieback/support for the cradle wedge is rigidly attached to the skidway. The tieback/support and cradle wedge are held together with bolts and frangible nuts. Explosive charges are used on the frangible nuts to release the cradle wedges from the tieback/support and launch the vessel. Jacks provide positive horizontal pressure on the cradle wedges to break static friction between the cradle wedges and skidways to initiate vessel motion down the skidways and into the waterway.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly debris filter. Each fuel rod has a ring attached to the lower end cap. The rings are shaped and sized to define a space between the lower end cap and ring such that the space serves to trap, or filter, debris before it reaches the elevation of the fuel cladding. The rings may be circular, elliptical, or any suitable shape that provides the desired filtration effect.

Abstract: A device for selectively controlling the solenoids in a computer controlled transmission for testing the transmission. Circuitry for providing electrical power to the device may be adapted to be plugged into the cigarette lighter in the automobile. A pin connector adapted to different makes of transmissions is connected to the electrical connector of the transmission to be tested. Four (4) two-pole, six position rotary switches are provided for selectively activating the transmission solenoids and shifting the transmission into a selected gear. Indicator lamps are provided to indicate the selected gear in which the transmission should be. A single pole rotary switch is provided for selectively controlling the pressure in the transmission being tested. Two momentary switches are provided for controlling the torque converter clutch solenoids in the transmission. Only one of the four shift switches is used at any time depending on the make of transmission being tested.

Abstract: An apparatus for near vertical laying of pipeline offshore. A support base and framework on a lay vessel support an alignment tower that extends upwardly from the base and is designed to support the pipe joint to be added to the pipeline. A support tower that supports the weight of the pipeline is attached to the support base such that the support tower extends downwardly therefrom into the water. A travel block is adapted for movement along the length of the tower for raising or lowering the pipe and pipeline. A pedestal that is movable between open and closed positions for receiving a pipe section from the travel block and supporting the weight of the pipeline is positioned near the bottom of the tower. A strongback or boom may be used to grasp a pipe joint from a ready rack and transfer the pipe joint into the alignment tower for addition of the pipe joint to the pipeline. The extension of the support tower into the water eliminates the need for a stinger.

Abstract: A tool for use with an integral reusable locking arrangement between the guide tubes and upper end fitting in a nuclear fuel assembly. A positioner on the tool locates the tool on the upper end fitting grillage and aligns a wrench on the tool with projections on a spring collar used in the locking arrangement. The wrench on the lower end of the tool has slots that engage with the reusable locking arrangement on the guide tube upon application of downward pressure on the tool driver. Rotation of the driver causes corresponding rotation of the spring collar on the reusable locking arrangement for locking or unlocking of the upper end fitting in place relative to the guide tubes. Axial and rotational motion of the driver is limited by interaction between a set screw on the positioner and slots in the driver. Upward motion of the driver disengages the wrench from the spring collar for removal of the tool.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin regeneration apparatus. A nine compartment module has two end anode electrode compartments and a center cathode electrode compartment. These three compartments contain a mixture of cation and anion resin. The two end compartments are lined by cation membranes while the center compartment is lined on both sides by anion membranes. All but two of the remaining compartments are provided with cation or anion exchange resin and opposing cation and anion membranes in an arrangement whereby a resin slurry may be consecutively directed through two of the compartments for processing.

Abstract: A cylinder rounding/holding tool that is positioned in the center of the rotary table and bolted to a base plate for rigidity. The tool is formed from a metal frame that is circular on the inside diameter to form a locating boss and has flats on the exterior corresponding to the number of shoes required for the application. At each flat is a shoe that has two mechanical jacks (one at each end of the shoe) and a center guide tube. The jacks are powered by DC electric stepper motors that allow precise radial displacement of the shoes. The center guide tubes provide circumferential and axial load carrying capability and stability for the tool. The shoes are replaceable to allow machining to match the inner diameter of the cylinder being rounded. A computer controller may be used to control the stepper motors and a linear variable displacement transducer may be used for input to the computer controller and a real time feedback loop for roundness condition of the cylinder.

Abstract: A combined lower end fitting and debris filter for a nuclear fuel assembly is provided that does not require multiple parts, welding, brazing, mechanical fasteners, drilling or EDM operations to form the coolant flow holes. The lower end fitting and debris filter are cast as a single work piece that includes the coolant flow holes in the casting process. This is accomplished by casting the sections of the filtration surface having flow holes in a thickness that allows for the small coolant flow holes to be formed as part of the casting process.

Abstract: A weld joint round tool. A heavy walled central mounting ring has a mounting plate joined thereto that forms the foundational structure to which all of the moving parts are anchored. Rounding/clamping is performed by twenty-four simultaneously activated shoes that are connected by linkage arms to a central actuator ring. The shoes are expanded or retracted by rotating the actuator ring, which in turn pushes or pulls on each linkage. The ring is rotated by an AC servo motor linked to a gear reducer, the output of which drives a stationary pinion gear to move a rack mounted on the actuator ring. The weld joint round tool is mounted on the end of a cantilevered mandrel structure, which is inserted into the cylinders to be welded. Once the tool is positioned at the joint between the two cylinders, the shoes are expanded to clamp the inner diameter of the two cylinders so that welding can take place.

Abstract: A compliant offshore structure with flex tubes that are not driven into the sea bottom. A foundation template has bottles with skirt pile sleeves and a closed bottom socket. A tower and tower extension support the deck above the water line. The tower legs each enclose a flex tube such that there is an annulus between the leg and flex tube. The flex tube extends below the lower end of the leg so as to be received in the socket. The flex tubes are grouted in place in the sockets to connect the tower to the foundation template. Thickened wall portions may be provided on corresponding sections of the leg and flex tube to provide wear surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for near vertical laying of pipeline offshore. A support frame and movable deck on a lay vessel support a tower at the desired angle for pipe laying. The tower has a travel block that is movable between open and closed positions for receiving a pipe section and supporting the weight of the pipe or pipeline. The travel block is adapted for movement along the length of the tower for raising or lowering the pipe and pipeline. A pedestal that is movable between open and closed positions for receiving a pipe section and supporting the weight of the pipeline is positioned near the bottom of the tower and adapted to transfer the weight of the pipeline from the travel block to the pedestal without the need to open the travel block. A strongback with adjustable clamps is used to grasp a pipe section from a ready rack and transfer the pipe section into the tower for addition of the pipe section to the pipeline. The strongback is guided into and up the tower by rails.

Abstract: An upper end fitting for a nuclear fuel assembly that eliminates the problem of free standing fuel assemblies leaning out of range of the lead in provided when installing the reactor upper internals structure. The outer dimensions of each upper end fitting in the fuel assembly are larger than their respective spacer grids and lower end fittings such that the nominal gap between upper end fittings is approximately 0.025 inch.

Abstract: A nuclear propulsion reactor. A pressure vessel is provided with a reactor core that is surrounded by a radial reflector. Nuclear fuel elements in the core are formed from a hexagonal housing made from a high performance moderator and having a plurality of axial bores that extend the full length of the housing. A stack of nuclear fuel compacts having axial bores for coolant flow is received in the central axial bore of the housing. Hollow lithium hydride slugs are received in the bores at the corners of the housing. A rocket nozzle is attached to one end of the pressure vessel. Coolant/propellant flows into a passageway around the rocket nozzle for cooling thereof, upward through bores in the reflector and through the hexagonal housings of the fuel elements, downward through the bores in the nuclear fuel compacts and then out the rocket nozzle where propulsive thrust is produced.