Abstract: A nuclear fuel channel has four corners and four elongated sidewalls disposed between the corners so as to provide a polygonal transverse cross-section. Each of the channel sidewalls has a longitudinal centerline that coincides with a line of maximum stress that is imposed on the sidewall during in-reactor service. The sidewalls have one or more longitudinal off-center lines that are located between the longitudinal centerline and one of the corners abutting the elongated sidewall. The longitudinal off-center line coincides with a line of minimum stress imposed on an elongated sidewall during in-reactor service. A weld is formed along the length of the off-center line on at least two of the sidewalls. At least one of the off-center line welds is also a seam weld. The disclosed arrangement provides improved resistance to bulging of the channel sidewalls during in-reactor service.

Abstract: A hybrid furnace includes a vacuum furnace for heat treating a workpiece and a transportable oven removably attached to the vacuum furnace for holding the workpiece and maintaining it at an elevated temperature. The workpiece is transferred from the vacuum furnace to the transportable oven under an inert atmosphere to prevent the workpiece from being exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere or from undergoing a phase transition. The transportable oven is adapted to be detached from the vacuum furnace and transported to a work station for further processing of the workpiece. Heating means is provided in the transportable oven to maintain the temperature of the workpiece above a preselected warming temperature while the workpiece is waiting to be processed.

Abstract: An echo canceler for canceling echo components of a send-input signal, includes an analysis filter bank for dividing the send-input signal into a plurality of subband send-input signals. A receive-signal is also divided into a plurality of subband receive signals. Each of the subband receive signals is convolved with an impulse response function pertaining the echo path coupling the receive signal to the send-input signal within each subband. The convolutions yield a plurality of estimated echo signals, which are then each subtracted from the corresponding subband send-input signal, to produce a plurality of error signals. Residual echo components within the error signals are attenuated by a variable attenuator in response to a comparison of relative levels of corresponding subband send-input Signals, subband receive signals and the error signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting documents is provided. A document transport on the apparatus conveys documents along a selected path of movement from an input bin to a series of output bins. An optical scanner, such as a video camera, is positioned along the selected path to capture images of the documents. The captured images are displayed on a display monitor to permit an operator to inspect portions of the documents for a desired characteristic. The operator activates a push button on a selector switch depending on the presence of the desired characteristic. Bins are provided for stacking and separating documents having the desired characteristic from those documents lacking the desired characteristic. Gates are provided for directing the documents to the appropriate output bin.

Abstract: An age hardenable nickel base chromium, molybdenum, alloy as well as intermediate products and articles made therefrom are disclosed which, in the solution treated and age hardened condition, have a 0.2% yield strength greater than 100 ksi combined with resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion and to stress corrosion cracking in chloride and sulfide environments at elevated temperatures up to about 500.degree. F. without requiring working below the recrystallization temperature of the alloy. Broad and preferred ranges are disclosed as follows:______________________________________ Broad (w/o) Preferred (w/o) ______________________________________ C 0.1 Max. 0.03 Max. Mn 5 Max. 2 Max. Si 1 Max. 0.5 Max. P 0.03 Max. 0.015 Max. S 0.03 Max. 0.010 Max. Cr 16-24 18-22 Mo 7-12 7.5-11 W 4 Max. -- Nb 2-6 2.75-4.25 Ti 0.50-2.5 0.75-1.5 Al Trace-1 0.05-0.35 B 0.02 Max. 0.001-0.006 Zr 0.50 Max. 0.08 Max. Co 5 Max. -- Cu 0-3 0.5 Max. N 0.04 Max. 0.01 Max. Fe 20 Max.

Abstract: A hierarchical data structure is provided in the form of a tree for storing key-indexed entries. Each entry of the tree includes a balance bias indicator and pointer fields for maintaining (i) link pointers to successive entries in the hierarchy or (ii) thread pointers to preceding entries in the hierarchy. Entries are added to the tree, or removed from the tree, while the tree is maintained in a height-balanced condition. During insertion of a new entry, the tree is traversed along a search path to determine an insertion point for the entry and to determine a potential rebalancing point in the tree. The potential rebalancing point in the tree is identified on the basis of the balance bias indicators of the entries in the search path. The tree is rebalanced, if necessary, about the potential rebalancing point determined during the insertion traversal.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials comprising a valve chamber, a nozzle connected to the chamber at one end thereof, inlet and outlet ports communicating with the valve chamber, and a valve element having a hollow interior displaceable in the chamber between closed and open positions. The valve element is operable in the closed position to extend between the inlet and the outlet ports to allow flow of material through the inlet into the hollow interior of the valve element and out through the outlet. The valve element in the open position is operable to split the flow through the inlet into: a first partial flow through the hollow interior of the valve element and out of the hollow interior and the valve chamber through the outlet; and a second partial flow through the spray nozzle, whereby the flow through the outlet is uninterrupted when the inlet is receiving the material under pressure.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting a tip-ring telephone, a PBX telephone, and a private branch exchange (PBX) is configured to pass out-of-band signals between the PBX telephone and the PBX and to attenuate voice-band signals therebetween when the tip-ring telephone is being used. The adapter includes a band-reject filter and a switching mechanism for connecting the band-reject filter between the PBX telephone and the tip-ring telephone.

Abstract: A remote electrical energy generating and distribution system is provided wherein a plurality of combustion turbine generators are located at respective remote sites having deposits of fossil fuel. The fossil fuel is thereby converted into electrical energy for transmission to an energy utilization center or to a power grid. Electrical energy is preferably converted to DC energy at the remote sites, and is supplemented by thermoelectric energy recovered from the exhaust of the combustion turbines. Each such source of DC energy is coupled to a main transmission line by a diode coupling device for providing isolation of each source in the event of a reduction in output voltage. Local power for cooling the diode coupling device is provided by a forward conduction voltage drop within the coupling device. The DC transmission system allows each generator to be operated at any independent optional speed.

Abstract: Tools for finishing joints at flat surfaces or corners of wallboard walls after adhesive and tape have been applied are attached to the applicator tool by a rotatable yoke connection near the roller of the applicator so that the finishing tool will follow the applicator tool. The finishing tool includes a roller rotatable about an axle for embedding tape into the adhesive. Frame structure rotatably supported on the roller axle is provided with trowel means having a working surface moving parallel to the wallboard surface and placed close to the roller, at least on the sides, to spread adhesive pressed from under the tape back over the tape. Finishing means attached to the frame structure to follow the trowel collects the excess adhesive and distributes it in a smooth surface generally in the plane of the wallboard, filling in any voids left by trowel action. A cylindrical roller is used for joints in flat wallboard.

Abstract: To identify the orientation of specified documents, such as checks bearing magnetic ink markings, steps are taken to magnetize ink markings associated with the document, and to then detect magnetized ink markings on the document to develop electrical signals which can then be subjected to processing for identifying the orientation of the document based upon certain preestablished criteria. The result is a stand-alone device adapted to operate upon documents which are contained within envelopes to be subjected to an extraction procedure, prior to extraction from the envelopes, achieving a pre-processing of envelopes to identify those which contain the specified documents, and the orientation of the identified documents. The device is similarly adapted to operate upon the extracted documents, to identify those requiring special handling, and their orientation.

Abstract: An analog data station terminal is described for use in a high speed data telecommunication system. The analog data station terminal interfaces a customer modem to the local telephone line for transmission of data at very high data rates, e.g., more than 9600 bits per second, with significant reduction in error rate. The analog data station terminal receives analog signals from the customer modem and converts then to a digital form that is compatible with the telephone system. The analog data station terminal also receives digital data from the telephone system and converts it to analog form for input to the customer modem. The formatting and reformatting of the data signals are performed synchronously with the telephone digital data network.

Abstract: An assembly of apparatus for supporting an automatically or manually operating gate which includes a fixed gate-post with a power line and co-acting actuator for moving the gate, disposed within a gate-column or, alternatively, concealed within a housing attached to the hinge on the inside of the gate itself. An embodiment swings vertically. An electronic controller and sensors may be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel oxide materials exhibiting bulk superconductivity up to and exceeding 85K and processes for their synthesis. The oxides are within the formula R.sub.a Ba.sub.b Cu.sub.c O.sub.d wherein 1.9<a<2.1, 3.9<b<4.1, 6.8<c<7.2, 14.4<d<15.2 and wherein R is Y or any of the lanthanide rare earth elements. Certain substitutions such as Ca and La on the R and Ba sites are included.