Abstract: A conduit can include a sidewall and at least a first cavity can be disposed in the sidewall. The first cavity may include a first base surface portion and an opposing first cover surface portion disposed radially between the first base surface portion and the first inner surface so that a first portion of the sidewall is provided radially between the first cover surface portion and the inner surface. A first aperture may be in communication with the first cavity and may be axially spaced apart from the first cover surface portion. A first sensor may have a transducer portion insertable through the first aperture and positioned within the first cavity. The transducer portion may be disposed radially between the first base surface portion and the first cover surface portion and being axially spaced apart from the first aperture.

Abstract: An assembly and method for deploying, retrieving, and storing a cable having a minimum bend radius onto a drum. The assembly may comprise a frame, a rotatable drum carried by the frame, a levelwind carried by the frame, and a powertrain. The levelwind may comprise a rail spanning at least the width of the drum, and a traversable carriage carried by the rail. The levelwind may also comprise a cable guide carried by the carriage, where the cable guide comprises an elongated chute having contoured walls. The contoured walls of the chute include no bends having a radius less than the minimum bend radius of the cable. The powertrain may be operatively connected to rotate the drum about the drum axis and traverse the carriage along the rail. In some examples, the contoured walls of the chute are coated with a supplmentary coating.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ionizing radiation in a target area, the system may include a first plurality of consumable nodes deployable within the target area to be exposed to the ionizing radiation. Each consumable node may be progressively damageable over a monitoring time as a result of exposure to the ionizing radiation. A base station may be operable to detect an amount of radiation damage sustained by the consumable nodes and to determine a dosage of ionizing radiation received by any one of the consumable nodes based on a pre-determined correlation between the dosage of ionizing radiation and the amount of radiation damage sustained by the consumable node.

Abstract: A channel type heterogeneous reactor core for a heavy water reactor for burnup of thorium based fuel is provided. The heterogeneous reactor core comprises at least one seed fuel channel region comprising seed fuel channels for receiving seed fuel bundles of thorium based fuel; and at least one blanket fuel channel region comprising blanket fuel channels for receiving blanket fuel bundles of thorium based fuel; wherein the seed fuel bundles have a higher percentage content of fissile fuel than the blanket fuel bundles. The seed fuel channel region and the blanket fuel channel region may be set out in a checkerboard pattern or an annular pattern within the heterogeneous reactor core. Fuel bundles for the core are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods associated with providing sideslip guidance for an aircraft. A sideslip offset based on aileron position is used to adjust an initial target sideslip, which is further modified using the actual sideslip of the aircraft.

Abstract: A channel type heterogeneous reactor core for a heavy water reactor for burnup of thorium based fuel is provided. The heterogeneous reactor core comprises at least one seed fuel channel region comprising seed fuel channels for receiving seed fuel bundles of thorium based fuel; and at least one blanket fuel channel region comprising blanket fuel channels for receiving blanket fuel bundles of thorium based fuel; wherein the seed fuel bundles have a higher percentage content of fissile fuel than the blanket fuel bundles. The seed fuel channel region and the blanket fuel channel region may be set out in a checkerboard pattern or an annular pattern within the heterogeneous reactor core. Fuel bundles for the core are also provided.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a lifting device includes a longitudinal clamp bar and a clamp slidably disposed on the clamp bar. The clamp has a clamp body and at least one clamping member movably connected to the clamp body. The at least one clamping member is operative for (1) acquiring a clamped condition when a lifting force is applied to the clamp body, wherein in the clamped condition, the at least one clamping member is engaged with the longitudinal clamp bar to prevent movement of the clamp along the clamp bar and (2) acquiring an unclamped condition when a lifting force is released from the clamp body, wherein in the unclamped condition, the clamp is free to move along the clamp bar.

Abstract: Fuel bundles for a nuclear reactor are described and illustrated, and in some cases includes fuel elements each having a first fuel component of recycled uranium, and a second fuel component of at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a first fissile content of less than 1.2% wt of 235U. Other fuel bundles are also described and illustrated, and include a first fuel element including recycled uranium, the first fuel element having a first fissile content of no less than 0.72 wt % of 235U; and a second fuel element including at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium, the second fuel element having a second fissile content of no greater than 0.71 wt % of 235U.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a skew level of a movable control surface in an aircraft. A position of an inboard and outboard side of the movable control surface are determined by RFID readers and RFID tags. As the tags move past the readers, the positioning of each side of the movable control surface may be compared to determine the skew level. Actions can be taken if the skew level exceeds predetermined threshold values.

Abstract: An apparatus for adhering a filament to a surface can include a body having a filament inlet port, at least a first filament outlet port spaced apart from the filament inlet port, and at least a first filament travel path extending between the filament inlet port and the first filament outlet port. A reservoir chamber can form a portion of the first filament travel path between the filament inlet port and the first filament outlet port and can contain a viscous adhesive material. Imparting relative axial movement between the body and a first filament can urge the first filament along the first filament travel path and through the reservoir chamber so that the first filament is coated with the viscous adhesive material when exiting via the first filament outlet port, for adhesion to the surface.

Abstract: A rotor is for angularly displacing a work piece about a central axis and includes an annular, central axial portion centered about the axis and having opposing, first and second axial ends and inner and outer circumferential surfaces. An outer radial portion extends radially-outwardly from the first axial end of the central portion such that an outer generally annular cavity is at least partially defined between the central portion and the outer radial portion. Further, an inner radial portion extends generally radially-inwardly from the second axial end of the central portion such that an inner generally annular cavity is at least partially defined between the central portion and the inner radial portion. One or more motor stators are disposed at least partially within the outer or inner cavity and are each configured to angularly displace the rotor about the central axis, and preferably contactlessly drives the rotor.

Abstract: A surface treating apparatus for treating an inner surface of a bore containing a shaft may include a body connectable to a drive apparatus and configured to movably receive a shaft extending through a bore, and at least one surface treating member connected to and movable with the body relative to the shaft, the at least one surface treating member sized to be inserted within an annular gap formed between the shaft and an inner surface of the bore and to bear against the inner surface of the bore when the shaft is received by the body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring fissile material contents inside of a nuclear reactor can include at least a first neutron detector positioned outside a radiation shield and configured to detect a plurality of neutrons originating from the reactor core and having passed through the radiation shield, and configured to generate a first output signal, and a controller communicably linked to the first neutron detector to receive the first output signal and a power output of the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: Nuclear fuels for nuclear reactors are described, and include nuclear fuels having a first fuel component of recycled uranium, and a second fuel component of depleted uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235U. Also described are nuclear fuels having a first fuel component of recycled uranium, and a second fuel component of natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235U.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly for a Roman tub has a low profile and can be installed from above or below the tub deck. A valve body extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a cartridge cavity. A lower end defines water inlet and outlet passages and a threaded external surface. An upper end defines a threaded internal surface. A mixing cartridge with a rotatable stem and a cartridge spacer are carried in the cavity with the spacer axially between the cartridge and the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body. A fastener has a threaded external surface threaded to the threaded internal surface of the valve body upper end. An upper mounting ring has a hub disposed about the upper end of the valve body and a flange extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: Apparatus for obstructing air flow through an aperture in an aircraft wing where a movable anti-icing duct extends through the aperture are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base member (40) configured to be secured to the duct and a first seal member (42) configured to obstruct air flow through the aperture. The first seal member comprises a proximal portion (42A) connected to the base member and a distal portion (42B) configured to movably contact an inner surface of a skin of the wing. The use of such apparatus may reduce the amount of leakage flow from the high pressure lower wing surface to the low pressure upper wing surface through the aperture and thereby reduce the loss of lift associated with such leakage flow.