Abstract: The present invention provides a gray rod control assembly (GRCA) containing an improved neutron absorber comprised of a porous matrix of refractory metal infused with a neutron absorbing metal or metal alloy for a nuclear reactor. The reactor has a plurality of fuel assemblies, each including numerous elongated fuel rods supported in an organized array by substantially transverse support grids, and a plurality of guide thimbles disposed through the support grids and along the fuel rods. The GRCA includes a spider assembly structured to provide controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies within the thimbles of the fuel assembly, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a first end plug, a second end plug and the improved neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member.

Abstract: An electric motor driven pump for pumping a hazardous liquid includes an electric motor having a housing, energizing means surrounded by the housing and a rotatable output shaft extending from the housing. The housing contains a non-hazardous liquid that displaces oxygen in the housing so that explosions due to an electrical spark caused by failure of the electric motor is resisted. The pump further includes an impeller connected to the output shaft for pumping the hazardous liquid and an outer shell surrounding the electric motor. The outer shell and the electric motor define an outer space which contains an inert atmosphere and which isolates the electric motor from the hazardous liquid that is being pumped. In this way, explosions due to an electrical spark caused by failure of the electric motor and the presence of a hazardous liquid vapor are further resisted.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rod tubes of zirconium alloy are heat treated in an induction furnace to produce a protective oxide coating two to fifteen microns in thickness. The furnace is only slightly larger than the tubes and receives the endmost eight inches of the tube. The furnace is controllable in zones along the tube. To calibrate the furnace to produce the desired temperature profile, typically a flat profile at a temperature between 650.degree. and 750.degree. C..+-.1.5.degree. C., a temperature calibration probe is provided with spaced thermocouples for sensing the temperature developed in the probe at each of the zones when heated. The probe is made of inconel 600 stainless or the like, and is dimensioned and shaped to correspond closely to the dimensions of the fuel rod tubes, including having a closed chamfered end. At the opposite end the probe protrudes from the furnace, where the thermocouple leads are terminated. The leads pass through a potting compound in the probe, such as magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A chemical decontamination clean-up system for use on-line in a nuclear reactor primary system includes a pump arrangement within the nuclear reactor primary system for pumping primary system fluids to a cleaning system located directly downstream from the pump assembly. The cleaning system includes a plurality of first demineralizer banks arranged in a predetermined flow pattern for receiving the primary system fluids. Each of the first demineralizer banks comprises at least two individual, resin-filled demineralizers arranged in parallel wherein primary system fluids are demineralized. Each of the demineralizer banks includes valving for selectively directing the primary system fluids from the pump arrangement to selected demineralizer banks in the plurality of the first demineralizer banks. A second demineralizer bank receives the primary system fluids from the plurality of first demineralizer banks.

Abstract: A non-contact surface flaw detection system for workpieces such as nuclear fuel pellets transports the pellets continuously along an illuminated path while rotating them. A line scan camera records a series of line scans for the pellets and the resulting values of pellet reflectivity are digitized. Pixel values are compared to thresholds defined adaptively by averaging and/or using a video finite impulse response filter, to generate a binary map of "good" and "bad" pixels, that also defines the edges of the pellet in the map. A processor counts and associates bad pixels to logically define and assess blobs of bad pixels. The processor checks for coincidence of the edge pixels with a nominal edge line that best fits the edge, for finding edge flaws. The pellets assessed in this manner are selected or rejected. Camera sensor elements are normalized for gain and offset. Shifting of the pixel data cancels skew produced in scanning moving pellets.

Abstract: An automatic stop apparatus for use in combination with a cold-pilger mill to reduce the amount of tube scrap generated during a cold-pilgering operation includes a first control scheme for stopping the advancement of the pilger mill feed carriage and the operation of the mill's upper and lower pilger dies when the feed carriage pushing a tube through the pilger dies is a predetermined distance from the axis extending between the centers of the pair of pilger dies. The predetermined distance is selected to provide that facing end portions of the pushed and pusher tubes are positioned between the pilger dies.

Abstract: A system is provided for deploying a propulsor unit from the hull of a water vehicle, such as a submarine. The system comprises an opening in a submerged portion of the hull that leads to a chamber for storing the propulsor unit, a cover for covering the hull opening to render the surface of the hull substantially continuous and fluid-dynamic, the cover having first and second sides, each of which conforms to the contour of the hull and the propulsor unit being mounted on the second side of the cover, and a pivotal mounting that hingedly connects the cover and the propulsor unit attached thereto across the opening in the hull for allowing the propulsor unit to move from a first stored position within the storage chamber to a second deployed position in the ambient water surrounding the hull. A drive assembly is provided for pivotally moving the cover and its attached propulsor unit between stored and deployed positions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tube inspection system capable of rapid changeover for inspecting tubes of different diameter sizes includes a serial arrangement of multiple separate inspection stations. One inspection station is used to inspect for tube dimensions irrespective of the tube diameter size. The other inspection stations are used to inspect for flaws and are employed for different ones of the tube diameter sizes to be inspected. A set of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is supported at each inspection station. The transducer assemblies at the flaw inspection stations are in proper orientations corresponding to the diameter sizes of the particular tubes to be inspected at the respective inspection stations without the need for readjustment. The inspection stations contain quantities of liquid for coupling ultrasonic energy between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies and the tube passing through the inspection stations.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring temperature of water discharging from a plurality of water-cooled electric coils of an electric generator includes a manifold for collecting the discharging water, a plurality of hollow tubes connected in flow communication between the manifold and the respective electric coils, and a plurality of temperature sensing assemblies interposed in the respective tubes between and in series relation and flow communication with first and second portions of the hollow tubes such that the temperature sensing assemblies are thermally isolated from the manifold by the first portions of the respective tubes and electrically isolated from the respective electric coils by the second portions of the respective tubes. Each temperature sensing assembly includes an annular sleeve clamped about ends of the portions of the flow tube for receiving and connecting in flow communication the flow tube portion ends.

Abstract: A ferrous metal detector is used in conjunction with a ferrous metal mandrel of a pilger tooling set in a cold-pilgering machine to sense when the mandrel breaks during operation of the machine. The ferrous metal detector includes a transformer located adjacent to an end of the mandrel. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding positioned along the path of tubing movement through the machine and sufficiently close to one another to be magnetically coupled together by a piece of the ferrous mandrel when located therebetween. The primary winding is excited by a suitable source with a constant predetermined signal which is transparent to non-ferrous metal of the tubing. Such signal couples a constant voltage in the secondary winding.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printhead and control arrangement therfor includes a housing defining a plurality of ink receiving and emitting chambers with each chamber extending from an aperture in the ink emitting edge of the housing into the interior thereof. A plurality of heating elements are included, one heating element positioned in each of the chambers. An electrically conductive bus positioned within the housing connects the first terminals of the heating elements together. A power source and control system are also provided. The control system is operable to connect the second terminal of a selected one of the heating elements with the power source while simultaneously connecting the second terminals of the remaining heating elements with an electrical ground so that current from the power source flows through the selected heating element and, thereafter, through the electrically conductive bus and remaining heating elements to electrical ground.

Abstract: A latch and linkage arrangement in a nuclear reactor control rod drive mechanism includes a latch having an elongated body with opposite ends and opposite side edges and multiple latch teeth defined along one of body side edges between the opposite ends. The arrangement also includes a plurality of links. A first link pivotally connects with the latch body adjacent one end and is pivotally connected to an electromagnetic armature for applying a motive force to the latch body through the first link. Second and third links are pivotally connected to the latch body and to a support tube in parallel relationship to one another so as to define a parallelogram therewith such that when the motive force is applied to the body via the first link the latch body and thereby the latch teeth undergo curvilinear movement toward and away from a latching position.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting excessive chafing of a cable arrangement against an electrically grounded structure includes a layer of semiconductive material positioned in surrounding relation with an elongated member such as an electrical cable, tube or hose. A layer of electrically insulating material surrounds the layer of semiconductive material. A detector circuit is electrically connected with a reference end portion of the semiconductive layer. The detector circuit is operable to detect at least momentary contact between the layer of semiconductive material and an electrically grounded structure due to erosion of the layer of electrically insulating material surrounding the semiconductive layer caused by excessive chafing of the layer of electrically insulating material against the ground structure.

Abstract: A movable optical fiber system for directing test and calibration signals to the individual transmit-receive modules of a phased array antenna is provided with a laser device for generating optic signals. The laser device also includes a circuit for amplitude modulating the optic signals prior to their exiting the laser device. A fixed length of fiber-optic cable is connected with the laser device for directing the generated optic signals to a photodiode secured for movement to a motion device positioned adjacent the antenna face. The photodiode converts the optic signals to equivalent microwave signals, and the microwave signals are thereafter passed through a waveguide connected with the photodiode.

Abstract: A thin film electroluminescent edge emitter structure operable as an electronically controlled, high resolution light source includes a plurality of TFEL assemblies disposed in array-like fashion on a layer of substrate material. Each TFEL assembly includes a first layer of electrically conductive material, a second layer of electrically conductive material spaced from the first electrically conductive layer and an electrically energizable, light-emitting composite layer interposed therebetween. At least the second electrically conductive layer of each TFEL assembly is segmented to provide a plurality of second electrically conductive elements, and the plurality of second electrically conductive elements in combination with the remaining layers of the assembly form a pixel group including a plurality of individual light-emitting pixels.

Abstract: A light plane assembly for use in a phased array antenna to provide a communication link between a phased array antenna control system and the individual phase control modules in the array. The light plane assembly includes a translucent member having a plurality of openings therethrough. Each opening is adapted to receive a phase control module having an optic signal detector mounted thereon. Each module is positioned in an opening so that the optic signal detector on the module lies within the opening. Light emitting diodes in optic communication with an edge surface of the translucent member are connected with a phased array antenna control system and are operable to convert an electrical information signal provided from the control system to an equivalent optic information signal. The light emitting diodes generate an optic information signal which is transmitted through the interior of the translucent member for detection by the optic signal detector on each phase control module.

Abstract: A method for defining an array of light-emitting pixels in a thin film electroluminescent edge emitter structure includes the steps of moving the structure in proximity to a stationary first laser source as the first laser source is operated to generate a plurality of first laser pulses. The plurality of first laser pulses are focused into "lines" of light energy that strike the structure at a plurality of spaced apart locations in succession to ablate a predetermined number of layers of the structure. This ablation process forms a plurality of spaced apart channels in the structure. The portions of the structure remaining between each pair of adjacent channels define an array of pixels in the structure. The structure having the pixels formed therein is moved in proximity to a second laser source. The second laser source is movable in a selected direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the structure.

Abstract: A crystal-controlled oscillator exhibiting reduced levels of crystal-induced low frequency noise, vibration sensitivity and circuit temperature rise includes an amplifier or oscillator sustaining stage which is secured to a heat sink. A plurality of crystals connected with each other in a preselected electrical configuration are secured to a vibration dampening structure which extends from the heat sink, and the plurality of individual crystals are connected with the oscillator sustaining stage via a preselected wavelength section of coaxial cable. The coaxial cable wavelength may be varied to provide that the plurality of individual crystals operate at either series or parallel resonance.

Abstract: A frequency selective limiting device is described incorporating a plurality of individual attenuating units spaced apart from one another in substantially parallel relation and positioned between a pair of ground planes. Each individual attenuating unit is interposed between a pair of magnetic strips. In one embodiment of the invention, each individual attenuating unit includes a microstrip conductor positioned between a dielectric substrate layer and a layer of ferrite material. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, each individual attenuating unit includes a microstrip conductor positioned between a pair of planar ferrite members, the pair of ferrite members and microstrip conductor being mechanically supported by a dielectrical substrate layer. In both embodiments of the invention, adjacent attenuating units are serially connected by microstrip jumpers to provide a flow path for microwave signals passed through the limiting device.