Abstract: A pulling system for pulling or moving a large object, such as pulling components of an offshore oil/gas production platform onto an adjacent barge that is subsequently transported to the installation site. This pulling system incorporates a single elongated rod that is connected between the object to be moved and a puller unit that pulls the object along a track. During operation, the puller unit causes a gripping unit to grip the rod so that the puller unit can move the object. Afterwards, the gripping unit releases its engagement of the rod, repositions itself with respect to the rod, and regrips the rod so that movement of the object may again be initiated by the puller unit.

Abstract: A protection element containing a spring steel strip is bent to have a greater curvature than the curvature at the leading edge of a fan blade. This protection element is then fixed to the leading edge of the fan blade over an area of maximum erosion. Rubber or another elastomer can be extruded over the strip before or after it is fixed to the fan blade or the strip can incorporate an outer hardened layer to resist erosion. Attachment of the strip to the blade is advantageously accomplished using rivets or screws at spaced locations along the blade and at the leading edge of the blade.

Abstract: A reheat steam temperature control system that utilizes the separate components of a reheater and a reheat heat exchanger to generate hot reheat steam. The reheater uses the fluidized bed as its source of heat while the reheat heat exchanger uses main steam as its source of heat. A bypass control valve is operated to divert the required amount of main steam to the reheat heat exchanger depending on operating conditions. Should the temperature of the hot reheat steam be too low, additional main steam is delivered to the reheat heat exchanger. Conversely, should the temperature of the hot reheat steam be too high, the amount of main steam delivered to the reheat heat exchanger is reduced. Attemperators are used within both the reheating circuit and the main steam circuit to temper the fluctuations of their respective steam.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of a plasma arc welding technique when welding a nozzle to the interior of a vessel. More specifically, it pertains to a method and apparatus for making an inside weld when access to the interior of the vessel is restricted.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a throwing arm exercising machine that not only strengthens the throwing arm of the user, but also instructs the user as to the proper form for throwing. It encompasses a frame having an overhead track upon which a handle slides. A counterweight is secured to this handle so as to resist the movement of this handle along the track. A user positions himself underneath the track and grasps the handle and, by moving the handle along the track against the bias of the counterweight, exercises his throwing arm. Additionally, this throwing arm is strengthened while the proper form for throwing is practiced due to the track conforming to such form. For user stability and to isolate the throwing muscles, a hand grip for the non-throwing hand is provided for the user to grasp during this exercise.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an automatic method and apparatus for ascertaining the mass-moment of a blade of a jet engine. It encompasses robotic means to transport the blade from its loading station to the weighing station where its mass-moment is computed via a computer. Afterwards, the blade is returned to the loading station where the cycle begins over again.

Abstract: A material separator that magnetically separates the desired material from a slurry as the slurry travels along one or more passageways between a hopper and a discharge chute. Riffle lines can also be incorporated in such passageways to increase the separation capabilities of the material separator. Additionally, as the need arises, more or fewer passageways can be added or removed to adjust the collection efficiency of the material separator.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an automatic apparatus and method for determining the mass-moment of a blade of a jet engine. It encompasses an elongated weighing beam that is lifted up off both the weighing scale and a fixed fulcrum block during the loading and unloading of the blade with respect to the weighing beam. When measurements are to be taken, the weighing beam, with blade attached, is lowered onto the scale and the fixed fulcrum block. The value measured by the scale is sent to a computer for calculation of the blades' mass-moment.

Abstract: A method of inspecting tube welds in tubular membrane panel walls whereby a radiation source if placed intermediate adjacent tube welds with radiographic film positioned along the far wall of each adjacent tube thereby covering the far wall critical area of each tube weld. Simultaneously each radiographic film is exposed to an intermediate radiation source thereby creating an actual size image of each tube weld with both images totaling or equaling at least one full weld being radiographed per exposure.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a single spray level within a flue gas desulfurization absorber tower. This spray level incorporates multiple headers with each header having a plurality of feeder lines connected thereto. These feeder lines extend within the flue gas flow path in an alternating and staggered configuration within the same plane. A series of nozzles are secured to each feeder line to spray a mixture onto the flue gas. Spare capacity, if required, is incorporated into the spray level.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an automated method of testing the spring pack found in motor operated valves. It includes the steps of compressing the spring pack in a test stand while the compressive load applied and the vertical displacement occurring as a result of such loading is measured. This data is sent to a computer that records selected load measurements which correspond to pre-selected displacement values. Afterwards, this data is reported such as by a graph or other report that provides a comparison of the pre-selected displacement values with its respective compressive load.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing the spring pack of a motor operated valve. It incorporates a test stand into which the spring pack is inserted. A horizontal reference plane is attached to the spring pack afterwhich the spring pack is compressed with the vertical displacement of this reference plane being measured. Also measured is the force applied to the spring pack such that afterwards, a comparison of the vertical displacement versus the load applied can be made.

Abstract: A protection element containing a spring steel strip is bent to have a greater curvature than the curvature at the leading edge of a fan blade. This protection element is then fixed to the leading edge of the fan blade over an area of maximum erosion. Rubber or another elastomer can be extruded over the strip before or after it is fixed to the fan blade or the strip can incorporate an outer hardened layer to resist erosion. Attachment of the strip to the blade is advantageously accomplished using rivets or screws at spaced locations along the blade and at the leading edge of the blade.

Abstract: A method of molding a hollow fan blade in which a preform (preferably constructed of glass fibers) is used to support the upper multiple layers of to-be-impregnated cloth within a mold. As resin is injected into the mold, the cloth and the preform become impregnated thereby bonding the two together to form a single unit during the molding operation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a robotic tool end assembly used to transport a blade of a jet engine to a specific workstation and then to transfer this blade to this workstation. It encompasses gripping means to grip the blade and coupling means that couple with the workstation prior to the exchange of the blade between the workstation and this robotic tool end assembly.

Abstract: A condensate storage tank assembly comprises a tank section having a condensate outlet at a lower end thereof. An upwardly enlarged steam chamber is connected to the upper end of the tank section and receives a condensate drain line which extends from the drain pot of a condenser. The upwardly enlarged steam chamber surrounds a portion of the condensate drain line at least up to the highest level of condensate in the drain line. A steam line from the source of steam which also feeds the condenser, is connected to the upper end of the tank section for supplying steam above the condensate level in the tank section. The steam heats the condensate drain line in the steam chamber to avoid freezing the condensate in the drain line. An upwardly enlarged deaerator may also be provided on the upper end of the tank section. The drain pot is also supplied with steam from the condenser for avoiding freezing of condensate in the condensate drain lines which supply condensate from the condenser to the drain pot.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the remote harvesting of crayfish by trapping them within a trap submerged in water and then, when harvesting is desired, by applying a counterweight for pivoting the trap so that the trapped crayfish are passed to a line for flushing the crayfish to a collection tank. This operation is accomplished remotely from the harvester and more than one harvester can be connected to the collection tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating refrigerant in the chiller of a conventional refrigeration system, whereby refrigerant is removed from the chiller and pumped to a heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant is heated before being returned to the chiller to cause the pressure of the refrigerant in the system to increase. An electrical control structure monitors and controls the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant within the system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a protective helmet having a plurality of vents therein and air supply tubing and filtration element for supplying filtered air to a user. The air supply tubing is connected to the filtration element mounted in the helmet and delivers this filtered air through an inlet one-way valve and a mouthpiece to the user upon demand. The inlet and an exit one-way flow valve maintain the proper flow direction during the inhale and exhale phases and prevent any back-flow from occurring.

Abstract: In order to supply emergency coolant directly to the core inlet of a nuclear reactor, a separate and distinct channel is located within the reactor vessel. This channel flows downward along the perimeter of the core barrel and discharges its emergency coolant directly to the core inlet. Separate nozzles couple this channel to the supply of emergency coolant.