Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring mass flow of a fluid flow in a conduit includes separating the flow into two separate conduits or tubes. The two tubes are oscillated at oscillation portions one portion being 180.degree. out of phase with the other. The oscillation portions are located on each side of midpoints of respective tubes. Velocity, distance, acceleration and phase of oscillation of the midpoints or sensing location near the midpoints of the tubes is measured which measurement corresponds to the mass flow rate of the fluid flow.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for testing a material comprises an oscillator which generates a selected frequency in the ultrasonic range. A transducer is connected to the oscillator for applying an ultrasonic signal to the material and for receiving an echo signal back from the material. Two phase detectors are utilized one of which receives the echo signal and an in-phase oscillator signal to generate a first display signal, and the other of which receives a quadrature signal which is 90.degree. out of phase from the oscillator signal, as well as the echo signal to generate a second display signal. The first and second display signals are utilized in a visual display such as a cathode ray tube, to generate an image. The image changes according to the phase shift between the ultrasonic signal transmitted into the material and the echo signal, which, in turn, can be utilized to determine the presence and depth of a flaw or boundary in the material.

Abstract: An improved power supply for power switches arranged in a totem pole configuration is disclosed. A single power supply, having an output voltage substantially less than the voltage applied to the upper power switch, periodically charges a capacitor within a flying capacitor circuit. Microprocessor based control circuitry controls the charging and discharging of the capacitor and the periodic operation of the power switches resulting in the voltage at the output of the power switches being at system common or at the voltage applied to the upper power switch.

Abstract: A sludge lance wand for cleaning once through steam generator tubes. A curved high pressure fluid feed tube has a plurality of feed tube extensions attached at one end and a first nozzle brace attached at the other end and in fluid communication with the feed tube. A second nozzle brace bolted to the first nozzle brace retains nozzle blocks in position between the two braces. The nozzle blocks are in fluid communication with the first nozzle brace and are provided with nozzle openings angled for cleaning the triangular-pitch positioned tubes in a once through steam generator. O-ring seals on each end of the nozzle blocks press fit against the braces to prevent leakage and insure that full fluid flow is directed through the nozzle openings.

Abstract: An adaptive gain surge control system (18) is disclosed for a centrifugal compressor (14) which reacts to both normal and emergency surge conditions by controlling a bypass valve (48) across the compressor (14) inlet and outlet in response to a variable gain (G) determined by the offset (d) of the surge control line from the surge line of the compressor.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: A core barrel hole plug. A plug body sized to easily fit the hole to be plugged is slidably attached to a flange sized larger than the hole to limit the movement of the plug body into the hole. A rectangular bore at the inner end of the plug body has a pair of pawls pivotally mounted therein which are moveable between retracted and extended positions for releasing or locking the plug in position. An actuator screw is threadably engaged through a cylindrical bore in the plug body and in communication with the rectangular bore where a cam on the actuator screw causes movement of the pawls between the release and locking positions. The flange and screw are adapted to receive a remotely operated tool for remote operation of the assembly.

Abstract: An electronic integrator for integrating a linear voltage signal utilizes a voltage-to-frequency converter for converting the voltage to input frequency. A binary counter counts pulses of the input frequency. The binary counter generates a first operating frequency which is applied to a scaling circuit and another calibration frequency which has a much higher rate than the operating frequency. Both, however are proportional to the input frequency. The scaling circuit scales the operating frequency to a selected extent to form a counting signal. Using the double pole switch, either the calibration frequency or the counting frequency are applied to a pulse counter which is either used to integrate the input voltage signal by counting up pulses of the scaled counting signal, or the integrator can be calibrated using the calibration frequency which quickly increments the pulse counter.

Abstract: An instrumented hammer that gives the operator a measurement of the impact energy of each hammer blow. A head or main body portion slidably receives an inertia rod spring mounted in a longitudinal bore therein. Upon striking a surface, momentum causes movement of the rod forward against the spring pressure. A slot on the rod moves through an optical switch which emits a signal relative to the movement of the slot therethrough. A display assembly receives the signal and calculates the impact energy of the hammer blow.

Abstract: An on-line serial communication interface is established from a digital circuit such as a computer or hand held terminal, to a current loop which has lines for connecting a transmitter to a power supply. The interface includes a diode which is connected in series with one of the lines of the current loop. The diode is connected in parallel to the source and drain of a FET. The control gate of the FET is connected to the output of a differential amplifier who receives as one of its inputs, a digital voltage pulse signal from the digital circuit. The other input of the amplifier is held at a selected voltage so that voltage pulses are output from the amplifier when the digital circuit generates its voltage pulses. This turns the FET on and off in synchronism with the voltage pulses, thus cutting the diode in and out of series with the line of the current loop. With the FET in its non-conducting off condition, the diode has a small voltage drop thereacross. This does not effect the current on the current loop.

Abstract: A roll-and-race pulverizer is disclosed in which the throat vanes are mounted for rotation in the direction of rotation of the grinding ring.

Abstract: A one-piece clip defines a receptacle for receiving a ribbon cable connector. Spring 10 tabs are provided at ends of the clip for permitting insertion and retention of the clip within a rectangular slot of a panel. The cable connector is insertable into the receptacle of the clip and the clip is insertable into the back panel by hand and without the need for any tools.

Abstract: Angle-beam ultrasonic shear-waves, which are introduced via a pitch-catch technique in the axial and circumferential directions of a boiler tube, are used to detect the presence of hydrogen damage in boiler tubes.

Abstract: A shop assembled modular steam generator wherein each module includes top supported pressure parts, casing, and a frame structure. These modules are readily transported to a remote construction site and interconnected. Each of the superheater, high pressure boiler, intermediate pressure boiler, low pressure boiler, and economizer sections of the generator comprise separate center and end modules whose casings are joined to provide a gas tight flow path around the pressure parts.

Abstract: A system for the automatic and continuous determination of the efficiency of a fossil fuel-fired vapor generator for utilization by an automatic load control (88) to control the distribution of the system load among a plurality of generators, wherein various heat losses from various combustion sources are separately determined, the individual losses summed (80) and subtracted (86) from 100 percent to obtain a measure of the vapor generator efficiency.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tube header bore comprises scoring an oxide scale layer within the bore using a hard scribing tool. The bore is then cleaned using one or more honing brushes having flexible bristles with carbide tips. After sufficiently cleaning the inner surface of the bore a florescent dye is applied to the surface for highlighting surface defects and a visual inspection is made. For easy access to the interior of the bore, the tube is cut at a point spaced from the bore. After the inspection is complete a new length of tube is connected such as by welding.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a vortex shedding flowmeter having a flowmeter housing which is exposed to a flowing fluid in a fluid space on one side of the housing, comprises a sensor housing which is connected to the flowmeter housing and which defines an internal sensor space. A sensor beam is connected to the housing and has a first portion extending into the sensor space with a second portion extending through the flowmeter housing into the fluid space. A diaphragm resiliently carries the beam for movement in response to the passage of vortices in the fluid space. A mounting bracket is detachably connected to the sensor housing and carries a sensor element. The sensor element is operatively connected to the first portion of the sensor beam and can be easily engaged and disengaged thereto when the mounting bracket is to be removed. In this way if the sensor element fails, it can be replaced without stopping the flow of fluid or disturbing the sensor beam.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: In nuclear reactor fuel assembly of the floating grid type, a spacer grid insert positioned concentrically about the central instrument guide tube prevents damage to instrument guide tube saddles caused by axial load, while permitting limited movement of the spacer grids.

Abstract: A reflux condensing start-up system comprises a steam generator, a start-up vessel connected parallel to the steam generator, a main steam line connecting steam outlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel to a steam turbine, a condenser connected to an outlet of the turbine and a feedwater return line connected between the condenser and inlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel. The start-up vessel has one or more heaters at the bottom thereof for heating feedwater which is supplied over a start-up line to the start-up vessel. Steam is thus generated to pressurize the steam generator before the steam generator is supplied with a heat transfer medium, for example liquid sodium, in the case of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The start-up vessel includes upper and lower bulbs with a smaller diameter mid-section to act as water and steam reservoirs.