Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining the integrity of coated fuel particles via acoustic characterization. Particle supply means (4) drops the nuclear fuel particles (2) individually onto the face (6) of a transducer (8). The generated signal which is indicative of the integrity of the coating on the dropped particle is analyzed with analyzing means (26, 28, 30) for discriminating between a flawed and an unflawed particle.

Abstract: A double wall housing for a camera contains a thermostatic switch which senses elevated temperature within the housing to activate a compressed air powered vortex tube which is capable of producing cool air. The cool air is supplied to a helical path between inner and outer housing members of the housing to cool the housing and its interior space. A second thermoswitch mounted outside the housing senses the ambient temperature and, if the temperature rises to a selected level, activates a compressed air supply for supplying purging air to the lens tube.

Abstract: An improved feedwater control for drum type steam generators is provided in order to gain improved drum level control for drum type steam generators which are subjected to great load changes at high rates of change. The control system accounts for changes in the mass inventory within the circulation lop by monitoring and adjusting to changes in steam flow and drum pressure. Thus, during load changes, the drum level will remain constant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for a fiber optic based fire detection and tracking system. An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) interrogates at least one optical fiber with a melting point defining a threshold temperature for fire detection. The OTDR measure the time of flight of a light pulse originating at each optical fiber input end and reflected back to determine the linear position of interruptions along an optical fiber which allows for fire detection and location.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ribbed flow channel (38) results in enhancing the heat transfer performance of a hydraulically expanded heat exchanger such as a coiled tube boiler (10). The ribs are machined or rolled into a flat metal sheet (20) prior to forming a cylinder. One cylinder (28) is rolled so that the ribs are located inside the cylinder while the other cylinder (32) is rolled with the ribs located on the outside. Cylinder (32) is positioned inside cylinder (28) and electron beam welded to form a helical weld path (16). A pressure fitting (34) is attached to the welded cylinder (36) and hydraulic pressure (P) is applied to deform the cylinders (28, 32) between the helical weld path thus creating a ribbed flow channel (38).

Abstract: An acoustic emission leak simulator (10) for a nondestructive simulation of a leak in a structure employs a fluid supply with variable orifice (18) for controllably releasing the fluid to create a simulated leak source (20). An acoustic waveguide (22) acoustically coupled to the variable orifice (18) couples the sound waves into the structure (12) for simulation of a leak signal. Transducer (30) positioned at a predetermined distance from the simulated leak source (20) characterize the leak signals for a leak detection system.

Abstract: A method for diffusion coating a workpiece with chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), or boron (B) by placing coated ceramic alumino-silicate fibers next to the workpiece and heating to diffuse the diffusion coating into the workpiece. A ceramic carrier is fabricated from the alumino-silicate fibers woven into a predetermined fashion. Alternately the ceramic carrier may be an elongated ceramic carrier. The aqueous diffusion coating composition is applied to the ceramic carrier and then the ceramic carrier is heated at a temperature of between about 150.degree. F. to 250.degree. F. prior to positioning the ceramic carrier proximate a surface of the workpiece. The ceramic carrier and the workpiece are subjected to an elevated temperature in a controlled environment for a sufficient time to cause at least one diffusion element to diffuse into the workpiece to provide the diffusion coating for the external, the internal, or both surfaces of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of estimating pH titration curves for use in the adaptive control of pH in a process, comprises gathering data points which each represent the ratio between a reagent added to the process and a flowrate to the process at a measured pH, storing the data points in a bin system according to pH, and using the stored data points to create a model of the titration curve for use in controlling the addition of reagent. Older points are replaced by newer points during the process to continuously update the model. The model was used to generate a gain schedule for operating a PI controller that is used in adding a reagent to the process.

Abstract: An atomizer for discharging a jet of one fluid in another fluid, comprises a nozzle head having at least one nozzle hole therein for discharging the jet. The nozzle hole has an inwardly tapering inlet end and an outwardly tapering outlet end for reducing recirculation and wetting at the exit of the hole. The outlet end tapers at an angle of no greater than 14.degree. and the inlet end is advantageously curved at a radius which is from 2 to 10 times the diameter of the inlet end. The diameter inlet end should also be from 1 to 5 times the length of the hole.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tip diffraction technique for determining the depth of a surface-opening crack is disclosed. Longitudinal ultrasonic waves are transmitted parallel to and along the crack and measurement of the time of travel of the waves diffracted at the tip of the crack is employed to determine the depth of the crack.

Abstract: An improved variable geometry tooling die is disclosed employing die segments 12 for use in die-press bending of materials. A forming die 10 is constructed of a plurality of segmented portions 12 which are radially adjustable for bends of different radii. Interchangeable inserts 20 in the segmented dies 12 allows for bending materials with various outside diameters and shapes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic method and apparatus for measuring liquid level in a vessel employing an acoustic waveguide (16) connected to an ultrasonic transducer (14) and the vessel (18). Guiding means (24) situated inside a vessel (18) directs the acoustic energy pulse to a surface (22) of the liquid. The acoustic energy pulse is reflected from the surface (22) and returned along the guiding means (24) to the acoustic waveguide (16). A pulser/receiver (10) connected thereto measures the reflected acoustic energy pulse for determining liquid level from the transit time.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for use in measuring a wide range of gas flow rates, comprises a valve housing including one inlet for a gas flow and two outlets, one for a low flow rate and the other for high flow rate. A plug is vertically moveable in the housing and includes a large diameter lower end engageable against a seat for closing a large port in the housing, and a small diameter upper end for engagement against an upper small diameter seat in the housing. The large and small seats communicate with the high and low flow rate outlets. Ferromagnetic material forms at least part of each seat with the plug being magnetic for retaining either its upper or lower position depending on the inlet flow rate. With a high inlet flow rate, the plug is lifted from its lower seat to close its low flow rate outlet and open its high flow rate inlet. At low flow rate, gravity causes the plug to drop. This permits the passage of the low flow rate gas through the low flow rate outlet.

Abstract: A method of measuring reactivity of a nuclear reactor includes automatic normalization. Normalization is achieved by determining the ratio of a linear amplifier used to form an analog detection signal, before and after a range change has taken place. A normalization factor is calculated according to this ratio which is applied to a delay neutral precursor concentration used for calculating the reactivity period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring reflective ash deposited on a furnace wall to be cleaned, comprises an infrared video camera or other mechanism for taking an infrared image of the furnace wall. The image must include an area to be cleaned by the waterblowing as well as a surrounding uncleaned area. Photo detectors or other mechanisms are utilized to measure the image intensity at locations on the cleaned and uncleaned areas with a ratio between the intensities being taken. The cleaned area has low reflectivity and is dark compared to the uncleaned area which is white and has high image intensity. The image intensity ratio between the cleaned area and the uncleaned area thus rises from a low level immediately after waterblowing to a high level which approaches unity as the initially cleaned area becomes as unclean as the uncleaned area.

Abstract: A pulverizer roll wheel assembly comprises a bracket with an opening therein for fixing the outer end of a roller shaft. Bearings mount a roller wheel with pulverizing tire to the inner end of the shaft for rotation of the pulverizer. A lip seal assembly separates an oil space around the inner end of the shaft with an air space around the outer end of the shaft. A pop off relief valve normally positioned near the lip seal is repositioned to the outer face of the shaft for easier access. A cover extends over the relocated valve for extending the air space around the relocated valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a water lance for water cleaning a furnace wall comprises a sensor or calculation equipment to derive the furnace wall emissivity and equipment that compares the emissivity to a programmed low setpoint that represents an unclean furnace wall and poor furnace operation. Water lance operation is initiated when the low setpoint is reached. The speed at which the water lance operates is also adjusted according to peak emissivity levels which are measured or derived from the furnace walls after each cleaning.

Abstract: A system for detecting steam voids or bubbles within a reactor coolant system. A dynamic pressure transducer detects pressure fluctuations in the coolant system and produces signals representative of steam voids within the system. The signals produced by the transducer are conditioned and applied as an input to a microprocessor along with other inputs representative of other operating parameters for the reactor coolant system. The microprocessor adjusts the signals representative of steam voids within the system and displays same to the operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of initiating and terminating the cleaning of a furnace wall to remove reflective ash which been deposited thereon, comprises a video or infrared monitor which monitors the light being reflected from the furnace wall or the ratio of the reflected to the incident light, the intensity of reflected light or ratio of the reflected to the incident light increasing as additional reflective ash is deposited. When the reflected light intensity reaches a selected value, cleaning is initiated and measurement of the reflected light is continued to monitor when the reflected light reaches a low substantially constant intensity. At that point, the cleaning operation is terminated since the constant reflected light intensity indicates a substantially clean condition.