Abstract: Apparatus for loading fuel rods in a desired enrichment pattern includes a carrousel, an elongated fuel rod storage magazine, and a fuel rod verify and feed workstation and a magazine holder and indexing mechanism disposed between the carrousel and the magazine. The carrousel has a plurality of gondolas movable mounted thereon for stocking fuel rods of known enrichments. The magazine defines a matrix of elongated slots open at their forward ends for receiving fuel rods. The workstation defines a fuel rod feed path extending between the carrousel and the magazine and is adapted to receive successively one at a time along the feed path at its upstream end fuel rods from selected ones of the carrousel gondolas.

Abstract: A pump has a shaft and a housing containing pressurized fluid and employs a rubbing-type sealing assembly for sealably and rotatably mounting the shaft within the housing. The sealing assembly includes an annular runner mounted around the shaft for rotation therewith and an annular seal ring mounted within the housing in non-rotational relationship thereto. The runner and seal ring have surfaces facing and in rubbing contact with one another. A coating of titanium nitride is incorporated on at least one of the surfaces. The coating of titanium nitride can be deposited as an outer hardface layer on the one surface, or, alternately, as an inner passivating barrier layer upon the one surface and then a coating of chromium carbide can be deposited as an outer hardface layer on the coating of titanium nitride.

Abstract: A crystal-controlled oscillator operable at a direct UHF frequency includes an amplifier having a feedback circuit formed from an SC-cut crystal and an impedance network. The impedance network provides an impedance load for the cyrstal, and the values of the individual components forming the impedance network are selected to provide an overall inductive load for the SC-cut crystal. Inductively loading the cyrstal permits the crystal to oscillate at the C mode or UHF frequency mode, and prevents unwanted crystal oscillation at the B mode or VHF mode.

Abstract: A random access thin film magnetic memory is provided. Individual memory elements, characterized by serrated edges, are separated by connecting regions. Each connecting region has a polygonal-shaped opening therein with a first pair of adjoining edges having a length longer than the lengths of the remaining adjoining edges. Each memory element may be independently addressed through overlying row and column conductors to either read or write data into the element, and may contain a logic "zero" or "one" determined by the state of the magnetic domain found in the element.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically detecting electronic circuit malfunctions includes a light transmitting plate member which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a plurality of individual electronic circuit elements positioned on a printed circuit board. First and second polarizing filters are positioned adjacent to opposing edges of the light transmitting plate. As the individual electronic circuit elements positioned on the circuit board are operated, the nonuniform heating of the light transmitting plate by the circuit elements produces mechanical stresses within the plate. As monochromatic or white light is passed through the pair of polarizing filters and the light transmitting plate, a light/dark striated pattern of light is produced on the surface of the second polarizing filter. By recording the pattern of a properly operating printed circuit board, a reference pattern may be obtained. Subsequent patterns of light are compared to the reference pattern in order to detect differences between patterns.