Abstract: Apparatus for remote handling operations in which a tool carrier is provided with elongate resilient members which permit transverse or lateral displacement of the tool carrier to thereby cater for misalignment between the tool carrier and an object to be engaged by a tool mounted on the tool carrier. During such displacement the resilient members maintain the axis of the tool parallel to the axis of the remainder of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of coolant through a nuclear fuel assembly, in which a coolant flow restrictor 26 having longitudinal ducts 30 is provided with plug members 48, 49, 50 of different lengths. The plug members 48, 49, 50 are moved longitudinally by the effect of neutron induced growth on an actuating member 60. A connecting member 53 converts the growth of the actuating member 60 into a longitudinal movement of the plug members 48, 49, 50 so that they are progressively withdrawn from the flow restrictor 26 to increase the flow of coolant through the flow restrictor 26.

Abstract: An oil control piston ring is described comprising a pair of axially spaced apart side rails, the side rails each having a radially outer periphery forming a rubbing face with a co-operating cylinder wall, an expander having portions which lie between the inner radially extending faces of the side rails and maintain the outer peripheral rubbing faces thereof in a spaced apart relationship characterized in that the radially inner peripheral edge of each side rail is connected by bridging members extending intermittently over at least a part of the inner circumferential length. The side rails and bridge members may be formed from a substantially flat bottomed "U-shaped" channel section.

Abstract: A method is described for the separation of metal articles from surplus metal by the use of a laser. The articles may be cast or wrought. Several examples are given of gas turbine engine components being separated from a gating system by the use of a YAG laser. Benefits include lack of heat generation and, therefore, little or no distortion in the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a large tractor wheel includes a frame defined by feet and a post, which carries a bracket for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the post; a boom pivotally connected at one end to the bracket for rotation around a horizontal axis; a plate on the bracket for supporting a jack in engagement with the boom so that the latter can be raised and lowered; and a clamp suspended from the outer free end of the boom for raising and lowering a wheel, the clamp being defined by (i) a pair of scissor jaws with roller bearings on the bottom opposing ends thereof for engaging the opposite sides of a wheel rim or (ii) a fixed C-shaped jaw with roller bearings on the bottom and side thereof for engaging one side and rim of a wheel, and an inverted L-shaped jaw adjustably connected to the top arm of the fixed jaw for straddling the top of a tire, with a bearing on the bottom free end thereof for engaging the other side of the tire and holding the wheel in the C-shaped jaw.

Abstract: A valve guide and a method for the manufacture thereof are described. The valve guide is a tubular article having a length to outer diameter ratio greater than about 1.5 and is made of a ferrous material by a PM route. The pressed guide is infiltrated by preparing a sheet of the infiltrant alloy, rolling the sheet into a cylinder and inserting it into the guide bore followed preferably by, simultaneous sintering and infiltration.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel body provided by doped uranium dioxide grains having kernels of undoped uranium dioxide. The body is produced by mixing single crystal seeds of uranium dioxide with doped uranium dioxide granules. The mixture is compacted and subsequently sintered. Gadolinia is a preferred dopant for the uranium dioxide.

Abstract: A die assembly for use in a continuous extrusion apparatus is made up of two cooperating members. The first member has tapered apertures therethrough disposed symmetrically about a mandrel portion. The mandrel portion cooperates with a throat portion in the second member to define an extrusion gap. A ceramic insert can be located in the second member to reduce wear during the extrusion of materials such as copper.

Abstract: A through-wall connection assembly comprises a shield plug extending through a wall or barrier and slidable for axial displacement preferably by being located in a tubular liner. A housing mounted on the wall or barrier receives an end of the shield plug. The housing contains a removable carrier for a first connector part which is releasably engageable with a corresponding second connector part at the end of the shield plug.

Abstract: A thermally responsive trigger device comprises a closed bellows (14) having a filling of liquid metal and acting on a trigger (19) responsive to the free end of the bellows. The bellows and trigger are located at a temperature measuring location which is the coolant flow outlet (15) from a demountable sub-assembly vehicle (10) having a fuel unit (11) and a triggerable absorber unit (12). The outlet flowing coolant sweeps over the bellows (14) and once the expansion of the bellows exceeds a threshold a pin (26) and cam (28) at the free end of the bellows causes a plate (21) to move to release the absorber unit (12).

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, for example an inhaler, consists of a container (12) containing a propellant and a medicament, with a valve (14), and an applicator (16). The applicator includes a frusto-conical diverter (20) with a small orifice (60) facing the valve orifice (37). Aerosol droplets predominantly pass through the small orifice, decelerate, and can then be inhaled, while the propellant gas is predominantly diverted out of the applicator.

Abstract: Fluid impermeable, protective clothing is usually impermeable in both directions, and thus sweat is unable to evaporate from the skin or from inner clothing. A buildup of moisture is uncomfortable and, if prolonged, can cause pain and injury. A simple solution to the problem is to insert a two-layer liner in the impermeable clothing which will absorb the sweat. The liner includes an inner layer of vapor permeable, liquid impermeable material such as microporous Teflon (trademark) film, microporous polyurethane film or a hydrophilic polymer coating, and an outer layer of a material highly absorptive of both water vapor and liquid.

Abstract: A valve guide and a method for the manufacture thereof are described. The valve guide is a tubular article having a length to outer diameter ratio greater than about 1.5 and is made of a ferrous material by a PM route. The pressed guide is infiltrated by preparing a sheet of the infiltrant alloy, rolling the sheet into a cylinder and inserting it into the guide bore followed preferably by, simultaneous sintering and infiltration.

Abstract: Head harness form gas mask consists of several pieces of biaxially stretchable elastic fabric stitched together to provide a concave configuration in the relaxed state. The harness is shaped and sized to fit a range of normal human heads by stretching over the back and top of the head. The forward edge of the harness has a number of tongues of the elastic fabric that attach to a gas mask. The preferred material for the harness is a 280 denier bare spandex power net fabric that has a flat load versus elongation curve. A gas mask fitted with the harness applies a uniform pressure within the comfort range on the face of the wearer without significant adjustment of the harness, despite wide ranges in the head size and configuration of the wearer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for reducing the reactivity of steam or mixtures of steam and condensate in enhanced oil recovery. More particularly, the method of the invention comprises pH control through the injection or addition of either or both of ammonia and an ammonium salt of an organic or inorganic acid, such as ammonium chloride, to the feed water used to generate the steam or to the steam itself. This inhibits the dissolution of certain mineral groups, controls the migration of fines, inhibits the swelling of clays, controls chemical reactions in which new clay minerals are formed, and helps to prevent the precipitation of asphaltenes and the formation of emulsions as a result of steam injection.

Abstract: A transport and storage container for nuclear fuel elements comprises a vessel with a removable internal structure. The internal structure defines a plurality of elongate compartments to receive fuel elements and the walls of the compartments are formed by inter-engageable elongate rectangular plates disposed at right angles to one another. Spider assemblies arranged at intervals along the length of the structure hold the plates together.

Abstract: A container for radioactive material includes therein a catalyst device for catalyzing the recombination of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen in the container to give water, e.g. in a storage vessel for radioactive material. The device comprises a substrate in the form of at least one metal member (e.g. stainless steel) carrying a thermally sprayed low surface area ceramic coating (e.g. plasma sprayed alumina) which carries a high surface area ceramic coating (e.g. alumina from a sol), which latter coating carries catalytically active material (e.g. Pt metal), the catalyst having an outer, hydrophobic gas permeable coating (e.g. polysiloxane) for preventing the catalytically active material from contacting water.

Abstract: An instrument for sensing seismic waves and determining their direction of propagation is operable at considerable depth in a borehole. It comprises a short, stubby sensor module with means to clamp it to the borehole wall and including three accelerometers, and connected by a flexible umbilical cord to a primary module suspended by a cable. The down-hole electronics and the power supply for the clamp means are provided in the primary module. The sensor module has a fundamental resonant frequency about 1 kHz, well above the frequency of the seismic waves it is subjected to, so that the signals from the accelerometers accurately represent those waves.

Abstract: A plasma source of charged particles includes a particle extraction control device consisting of an electrode having an exit hole in it and a planar solenoid arranged to produce, when energized, a magnetic field across the exit hole in the electrode, the magnitude of the magnetic field and potentials applied to extraction electrodes being variable so as to enable different charged particles to be emitted by the source.