Abstract: Narrow groove welding is accomplished with a welding apparatus containing an improved gas lens made of a sintered bronze material. The sintered bronze material requires the use of a higher gas supply pressure than is commonly used, but it results in a higher volume of laminar gas flow, thereby facilitating deep narrow groove welds. The sintered gas lens does not require the use of a skirt below the lens to maintain a column of laminar gas flow, thereby making it possible to mount a light source below the lens directly within the flow of cover gas and away from the line of view of the operator.

Abstract: An improved method for cleaning heat exchangers, wherein a first cleaning liquid is used to remove a majority of the accumulated sludge and deposits from the surfaces of the heat exchanger, and a second cleaning liquid is used to remove deposits from the crevice regions of the heat exchanger. Boiling may be induced in the crevices between the tubes and the tube support plates by venting of the secondary side while heating through the primary side of the heat exchanger. Repeated venting as the water level is lowered results in crevice boiling at each tube support plate. Mechanical cleaning techniques such as pressure pulse cleaning may be utilized with either or both of the cleaning liquids. Additional liquids may be introduced into the heat exchanger to provide further cleaning action or to facilitate flushing of the previous cleaning liquids.

Abstract: An I.D. pipe clamp used for holding the ends of two pipes during welding, and having a means for inspecting the inside diameter of the root pass of the weld without removal of the pipe clamp or breaking of the purge gas seal. The pipe clamp has a frame with two clamping mechanisms for locking the clamp in position within the pipe ends. A means for inspecting, such as a video camera or other nondestructive testing device, is mounted on the pipe clamp between the two clamping mechanisms. Gas purge dams are located proximate each clamping mechanism to facilitate the creation of an inert gas purge in the region of the weld joint. The means for inspecting is operated to inspect the root pass of the weld prior to breaking the gas purge and prior to removal of the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp may also support a means for dressing of the weld I.D., such as a brush or a grinding tool, along with a vacuum line for removal of debris created during operation of the means for dressing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diametral extensometer device useful for measuring diametral changes in a valve stem caused by axial loads on the valve stem used in a motor operated valve assembly. The device is useful in the field of valve diagnostics. The diametral extensometer is comprised of a semi-circular clamp member spaced from and partially surrounding the outer periphery of the valve stem. The clamp member has a reference pad that is adjustable radially with respect to the valve stem and a sensor pad having a sensor capable of measuring diametral changes in the valve stem and generating an electrical signal indicative of those changes. A stabilizer pad provides stability to the clamp member during installation of the clamp member and during movements of the valve stem. Non-stick surfaces are provided for smooth operation, and point contact with the valve stem eliminates errors associated with rocking of the traditional V-groove contacts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simulating operating conditions on a motor operated valve. The present invention provides a means for simulating actual operating load conditions, such as a simulated accident condition, for valves. An axial force is placed on the valve stem by a hydraulically operating loading system to simulate loading conditions associated with a postulated accident, and the valve operator is actuated. The response of the valve during the simulated loading condition is monitored to ensure that the valve is capable of operating, such as to close or open, in the event of an unusual condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determining the diametral changes in a substantially cylindrical member produced by axial loads imposed on the cylindrical member, such as the valve stem in a motor operated valve assembly. The device is a clamp assembly comprised of a first jaw member and a second jaw member rigidly connected to each other and to the portions of the periphery of the cylindrical member by a pair of studs. The second jaw member has a flexure with a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylindrical member and a projection extending away from the contact surface to transmit compressive forces representative of diametral changes in the cylindrical member against a compression load cell housed in the second jaw member. The device is useful in the field of valve diagnostics.

Abstract: A refueling system for a nuclear power plant utilizing a data network to provide for automatic control and enhanced monitoring of the entire fuel transfer process. The refueling system of this invention provides integrated control of the refueling machine within the containment building, the spent fuel handling machine within the fuel storage building, and the fuel transfer system between the buildings. The system provides supervisory control of the overall system operation via a remote control station, while at the same time, having the capability for local on-line control of each element of the system in the event of network failure. The system may automatically identify individual fuel assemblies with an optical scanner. An in-mast sipper connected to the network automatically tests for leaking fuel assemblies. A revised core load pattern and a revised sequence plan can be calculated by the system in the event of the discovery of a leaking fuel assembly.

Abstract: A method for moving equipment wherein a first chain which is free to bend in only one direction and a second chain which is free to bend in only one direction are positioned adjacent each other so that the two bend directions are opposed one another to form a rigid column. The equipment, which may include control rod drive handling equipment for a boiling water reactor, is attached to the rigid column. The equipment may be moved by moving the rigid column through a drive mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and a system for the diagnostic testing of a valve actuator used in an electric motor operated valve that is able to induce a variety of actively controllable and adjustable torsional and axial loads on the valve actuator and while providing measurement of both the torsional and axial forces being produced by the actuator while subject to the induced loads.

Abstract: An improved method for cleaning heat exchangers, wherein a first liquid containing a cleaning agent is used to remove substantially all of the accumulated sludge and deposits from the surfaces of the heat exchanger, and a second liquid containing a cleaning agent is used to remove deposits from the crevice regions of the heat exchanger. The concentration of cleaning agent in the second liquid and/or the duration of exposure for the second liquid are preferably greater than those of the first liquid, because the risk of corrosion is reduced as a result of a lower concentration of ferric ions in the second liquid. Furthermore, improved crevice region cleaning is obtained with the second liquid because the available cleaning agent is not depleted by the large volume of sludge and deposits removed by the first liquid. Mechanical cleaning techniques such as pressure pulse cleaning may be utilized with either or both of the cleaning liquids.

Abstract: A ghost canceller which operates at IF and utilizes a storage mode heterojunction acoustic charge transport device (SM-HACT). The signal delay provided by the SM-HACT is increased by the operation of barrier electrodes which delay the movement of charge packets across the device, thereby eliminating the need for additional digital equalization. The tap weights of the SM-HACT are determined by the operation of a fixed correlator which responds to ghosts in a predetermined training waveform.

Abstract: This invention is a design for lateral field film bulk acoustic resonators (LF-FBAR). All electrodes in this design are located on one surface of the piezoelectric material, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving performance. The gap between electrodes is limited to a specified dimension to maximize the efficiency of the device. Single and multi-pole devices are described. Barium magnesium fluoride and lithium niobate are specified as the piezoelectric material for high frequency applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming leads having the capability to automatically measure the lead thickness and the lead exit height, and the ability to automatically adjust the lead geometry and the forces exerted on the leads to account for changes in these variables. The apparatus includes a processor which controls the clamping, forming, and shearing structures in response to input data provided by the operator and by sensors measuring variables between consecutive parts.

Abstract: A bonded structure is described consisting of a semiconductor wafer, preferably gallium arsenide, soldered to a substrate material. A method for forming the structure is also described. The structure provides mechanical support and thermal conductivity for the wafer, as well as a multitude of connections through the substrate material at predetermined locations on the wafer. The substrate material and the soldering process are selected to minimize the resulting stresses in the wafer. A pattern of pads consisting of a refractory metal covered by a solder material is formed on the substrate to maintain space for excess solder in order to avoid the shorting of the individual connections on the wafer, and to control the size and location of voids in the solder upon solidification.

Abstract: A cell-type atomic frequency standard utilizing a miniaturized gas cell and microwave exciter along with a diode laser light source. The intensity of the diode laser light source counterbalances the penalties associated with the small gas cell. The signal produced by an oscillator is applied to a vapor within the gas cell by a miniature helix coil, or LC gap conductor, or a microstrip exciter. With the dimensions of the gas cell not exceeding one-half the wavelength of the signal, and the associated circuitry formed on a semiconductor substrate, the resulting frequency standard is reduced in size by two orders of magnitude when compared to prior art devices of comparable accuracy.

Abstract: A film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) configured as a coplanar transmission line structure. A film resonator formed over an opening in a substrate is connected to associated circuitry by one or more transmission lines formed on the substrate. The coplanar ground plane of this structure provides a simple mechanism for providing a true ground connection to the resonator without the need for vias passing through the substrate. The transmission line connection eliminates the need for wirebonds, thus simplifying fabrication, allowing the device to be more easily modified for computer simulation, and facilitating the operation of the device at microwave frequencies. Embodiments for standard, stacked, and 3-port FBAR's as well as a filter bank consisting of a plurality of coplanar 3-port FBAR's, are described.