Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining physical characteristics, such as defects, in the outer surface of an elongate object, wherein the object to be inspected passes through an aperture of a mirror surface which is a conical surface of revolution. Light directed onto the mirror surface in an axial direction is reflected by the object surface, imaged, and analyzed to determine a physical characteristic of the object surface.

Abstract: A surface drilling apparatus for drilling large diameter holes in soft to medium-hard earth formations includes a cylindrical casing defined by a stationary upper section and a lower section rotatable relative to the upper section; a plurality of circular rows of cutting discs rotatably mounted on the base of the lower section for cutting material beneath the apparatus; a transfer pipe in the center of the base of the lower section for receiving cut material from the cutting discs and feeding the cut material upwardly through a discharge pipe for carrying the material upwardly to the surface; and an annular, upwardly inclined slot in the discharge pipe at the top of the upper section through which air is fed under pressure into the discharge pipe to induce the cut material upwardly from the transfer pipe and blow the material upwardly.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with providing substrates with coatings obtainable from sols, for example to protect the substrate (such as in nuclear reactors or hydrocarbon cracking plant) or to provide a carrier for catalytically active material.Hitherto, coatings obtained from sols have had a high porosity and high surface area so that they have not been entirely satisfactory for the above applications.In the invention, dense, low-porosity coatings are provided by contacting the substrate with a sol of refractory material (e.g. CeO.sub.2 or SiO.sub.2) convertible to a gel of density at least 40% of the theoretical density of the refractory material, and converting the sol to the gel. Optionally, the gel may be converted to a ceramic coating by firing.

Abstract: A pair of conveyor pan immobilizing subassemblies are disclosed for engaging the opposite sides of a conveyor pan to stabilize the pan in a first direction transverse to the conveyed direction of the pan. In one embodiment, each subassembly is comprised of a plurality of pan engagement assemblies, each pivotally mounted for depression in a vertical axis by an off-centered pan, and each spaced further from the conveyor pan in the first direction, such that the pan is serially engaged by the assemblies as a result of pan movement resulting from, for example, loading or unloading of the pan. In another embodiment, the subassembly comprises a roller rotatably mounted for rotation by a pan being moved in the conveyed direction and resiliently mounted for depression by an off-centered pan.

Abstract: A transverse flow gas discharge laser in which the cathode has an elongated cross-section the larger dimension of which is positioned at an angle to the direction of flow of the gaseous lasing medium. The anode of the laser is of modular construction and consists of an array of individually ballasted cylindrical buttons. Both the anode and the cathode are so positioned that they intereact aerodynamically with the adjacent duct wall to produce a stable electric discharge between them.

Abstract: A sealing device for bearings in which two sealing areas are provided in series, each comprising an elastomeric sealing lip, the lips being part of a single ring and contacting cylindrical surfaces of a surrounding housing, the sealing ring being attached to a metallic liner.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/FR 78/00046 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 2, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 2, 1979 PCT Filed Dec. 7, 1978 PCT Pub. No. W079/00353 PCT Pub. Date June 28, 1979A device for detecting and localizing soft gamma and X radiations, comprising an enclosure 10 provided with a window 11 opaque to light and transparent to incident radiations, occupied by a noble gas and provided with electrodes for causing the electrons to drift towards a secondary photon creation space.In said space there reigns an electric field having sufficient value to cause the formation of secondary photons by excitation then de-excitation of the atoms of the noble gas. The secondary photons pass through a transparent window 12 and are converted into photons in the close UV or visible spectrum. The scintillations are localized by PM tubes 23 and 24.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the preparation of a shaped body which includes pressing a powder to give a "green" shaped body wherein the powder has been made by comminuting a material prepared by means of a gelation process, the material prior to comminuting being of a selected physical configuration.The invention finds application in relation to the handling and transportation of nuclear fuels and nuclear fuel materials. Thus, a material prepared by means of gelation process can be transported and handled in an environmentally desirable, substantially dust-free form (e.g. spherical particles) and then comminuted to produce a powder for pressing into a shaped nuclear fuel body.

Abstract: The size and shape of a body is determined by rolling it between the plates of capacitors, the dielectric constant of which is thereby changed. A capacitor scans sections of the body along its longitudinal axis to detect its diameter and surface faults, a second determines the body's length and a third determines the position of the body. The changes in dielectric constant are compared with those produced by a body of known size and shape so that the size and shape of the body can be determined.

Abstract: An emergency overspeed brake is depicted which is mountable onto a shaft rotatable at low speeds in either direction for stopping the shaft when an overspeed condition is obtained. In one embodiment of the invention, the brake features two pawls mounted for movement of the entire pawl in an outward, radial direction in response to centrifugal force acting on said pawl. An annular outer hub rigidly mounted to a stationary frame has a central orifice through which the shaft extends. Two inwardly depending stops are integrally mounted onto an axial flange of the outer hub and engaged by one end of a corresponding pawl when the pawl has been thrown outwardly due to the centrifugal force. A spring member engages each pawl to prevent the outward movement of the pawl until after a predetermined speed has been attained, after which the pawls are thrust rapidly outwardly.

Abstract: A monitor for determining the ash content of coal in wagons consisting of a structure including means for irradiating each wagon as it passes the structure with a known dose of neutrons, means for detecting and measuring the intensities of .gamma.-rays emitted by ash-forming elements in the coal, and means for providing an indication of the concentration of the ash-forming elements. There also are included interlocks for ensuring that the neutron source is only operated when a loaded wagon is in the appropriate position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transporting items such as chopped nuclear fuel pins from a receiving station to a discharge station. The apparatus contains a liquid for transporting the items in an inlet duct which extends downwardly from the receiving station to a region where it is joined to an outlet duct which extends upwardly to the discharge station.The region is connected to a source capable of applying a pressure pulse to the liquid so as to displace the liquid upwardly in at least the outlet duct and thereby transport the items through the apparatus.At least two apparatus may be connected together in series relationship to provide a plant for the transport of the items through the plant.

Abstract: A plant for utilizing kinetic energy inherent in the wave movement of water or heaving of the sea. The plant comprises a float unit and energy absorption apparatus connected to the unit. The absorption apparatus comprises an immersed piston built into an elongate acceleration pipe, which is open at both ends and substantially vertical, this pipe being connected to the float unit and accompanying it in the wave motion of the water.The piston is connected to a hydraulic motor driving an electric generator.The piston is arranged in a portion with extended cross section upwards in the acceleration pipe.Coupled between the piston and hydraulic motor there is a hydraulic cylinder with a double-sided piston, and a rectifying hydraulic circuit for always supplying hydraulic pressure to the same side of the hydraulic motor.A flywheel can be connected between the hydraulic motor and generator for smoothing out the action of pressure variations on the generator.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation object position detection system and method are disclosed for detecting when an object is located in the path of a powered sliding gate. In a preferred embodiment, polarized microwave radiation is emitted from a source fixed relative to the sliding gate. This radiation is projected along and spaced ahead of the leading edge of the sliding gate by a redirecting means which moves with the gate. A second redirecting means also moves with the gate and redirects the radiation back to a detector fixed relative to the sliding gate which provides a signal when this radiation is detected. The presence of an object in the path of the sliding gate is indicated by the blockage of radiation in the beam moving with the leading edge of the sliding gate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of tungsten having a low impurity content of molybdenum from impure minerals such as scheelite.An aqueous acidic feed solution containing both molybdenum and tungsten, and also containing enough hydrogen peroxide to depolymerize heteropolymers of tungsten and molybdenum and prevent precipitation in the extractant, is contacted with an extractant composition comprising an organic phosphoric acid, a trialkyl phosphate and a tri-alkyl phosphine oxide in an hydrocarbon diluent. By selecting an appropriate combination of pH and hydrogen peroxide content of the feed, contents of the components of the extraction composition and temperature of extraction, selective extraction of molybdenum can be obtained. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the feed pH is in the range of 0.85 to 1.5, the mole ratio of hydrogen peroxide to tungsten and molybdenum is 0.6 to 1.0, the temperature of extraction is in the range 12.degree. to 20.degree. C.

Abstract: To provide security against unauthorised crossing of a boundary, at least one fibre-optic wave-guide extends along the boundary. Light is directed into one end of the guide and the light leaving the guide is detected by an optical detector. An indication is given when the optical intensity of the detected light falls below a predetermined threshold, so as to warn when the wave-guide is disturbed significantly or cut through.The manufacture of a strip or strand incorporating a fibre-optic wave guide and for use in a security system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor and method are disclosed for measuring electrokinetic effects across a double layer formed at the boundary between a solid wall and an ionic liquid flowing through a channel. In one embodiment, a passive electrode is located in a cavity forming a tee section with the channel through an orifice of approximately the same size as the channel. A passive second electrode in electrical communication with one side of the double layer is placed on the other side of a porous plug which is located in a second cavity directly opposite the orifice and which is flush with the channel walls. The double layer being investigated is formed on the flush portion of the porous plug. Thus both electrodes are out of the flowing liquid. An electrokinetic potential, labeled the K-effect potential, was measured by the two electrodes.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus such as a switch comprises a housing and a push-button. A spring-loaded catch mechanism holds the push-button alternately in a rest position and in a working position for which the push-button protrudes more or less from the housing. The catch mechanism comprises a catching lever which is mounted through an integral pivot accommodated in a hole of a wall of the housing and which has a depressed area receiving a pin carried by a wall of the push-button. The depressed area is bounded by ramps which are successively engaged by the pin for oscillating the catching lever about its pivot. A resilient finger, integral with the catching lever, brakes the latter by pressing against the wall of the housing. The catching lever, the housing and the push-button are made of plastic material.

Abstract: The apparatus is usable with a funnel wheel and a tube which undergoes tumbling movements for receiving a rope-like strand of fibers from a card or drawing frame and piling the strand of fibers in cycloidal loops in a ramp, through which the rope-like strand is moved to be loaded into cans, typically known as spinning cans. The ramp may be tubular, and may be vibrated. The ramp leads to a first support which is provided with clamps for holding a can. The first support is tiltable, and means are provided for severing the rope-like strand between the ramp and the can when the can is filled to a predetermined extent. A tiltable twin support is provided with clamps for receiving and holding a filled can from the first support, and for receiving, holding and transferring to the first support an empty can to be filled. The twin support can be tilted and moved transversely for receiving a loaded can from the first can support and transferring an empty can to the first support.