Abstract: A tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor can include a pressure vessel for containing a pressurized moderator at a first pressure. The nuclear reactor can also include a plurality of fuel channels for a coolant fluid at a second pressure. The plurality of fuel channels are fluidly connected at inlet ends thereof to a coolant supply conduit and are adapted to receive nuclear fuel bundles and to be mounted within the pressure vessel and surrounded by the moderator. The outlet ends of the fuel channels are fluidly connected to a coolant outlet conduit to enable the coolant fluid to circulate from the coolant supply conduit through the fuel channels to the coolant outlet conduit. The plurality of fuel channels maintain separation between the coolant fluid circulating within the fuel channels and the moderator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filters used to remove debris from water being sucked into a piping system. It has particular application for use in nuclear power plants, which, after a loss of coolant accident, must pump cooling water back into the reactor core from a collection sump. This water may contain various types of debris that must be removed before the water is sent back into the reactor cooling system. Filtering of the debris is realized with the component known as “strainers”. There are restrictions on the space available for installing strainers. The vaned filtering element, for example a vaned fin, of the present invention is designed to reduce the space required for strainer installation by increasing strainer surface area per unit volume, while maximizing the quantity of debris that can be filtered from the water.

Abstract: A method of measuring ionizing radiation may include the steps of: a) creating charged particles; b) causing the charged particles to generate the electrons; c) collecting at least a portion of the multiplied free electrons using at least two anode pads provided within the chamber, each anode pad producing a corresponding anode output signal, to provide higher sensitivity; and d) recording each anode output signal.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. A surface is disposed in the valve body for seating the piston. The surface tapers inwardly as it passes into the outlet wherein the taper improves the flow characteristics of fluid passing by the taper thereby minimizing water hammer and leakage therethrough.

Abstract: Processes and devices useful in the application of coatings (14) to the interior of tubes (10) are described. Such processes (40, 400) may include applying a layer (20) of coating fluid (18) to the internal surface (16) of the tube (10) and passing a smoothing member (22) through the tube (10) at a distance from the internal surface (16). The viscosity of the coating fluid (18) may be selected so that the layer (20) of coating fluid (18) has a thickness substantially equal to or in excess of a predetermined wet film thickness (Twf) correlated to a desired final thickness (Tf) of the coating (14). The distance between the smoothing member (22) and the internal surface (16) may substantially correspond to the predetermined wet film thickness (Twf). The smoothing member (22) may smooth the coating fluid (18) and remove coating fluid (18) in excess of the wet film thickness (Twf) from the internal surface (16).

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for aligning an optical device and an image sensor is disclosed. The positioning mechanism includes a base operable with a support for an image sensor, a tube operable with an optical device, and an adjuster disposed between the base and the tube. In one aspect, the adjuster is positionable relative to the base in a translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. In another aspect, the tube is positionable relative to the adjuster in two translational degrees of freedom, and a rotational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a protection circuit interconnected with an input voltage to the power supply. The protection circuit includes a detection circuit to detect whether a magnitude of the input voltage is below a defined threshold. The detection circuit comprises a plurality of detectors, each for detecting for a defined voltage waveform, whether its magnitude is below a defined threshold voltage. Logic interconnects the detection circuit to provide a control signal for inhibiting the power supply from providing said output voltage if the input voltage is below the defined threshold for that defined voltage waveform, as detected by the detection circuit.

Abstract: An indexable terminal retainer for a modular wiring system includes a retainer body that retains a terminal, the retainer body being dimensioned to fit within a retainer-receiving holder of a plug or receptacle. The indexable terminal retainer further includes a locking member for locking the retainer body to the retainer-receiving holder to prevent rotation of the retainer body within the retainer-receiving holder.

Abstract: A network device including a mounting rail having at least one mounting location. The mounting location defined by one or more device reference locators that define a mounting direction relative to that mounting location. A device connector attached to a device printed circuit board (PCB) is positioned to have a connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction. At least one module is provided for mounting to one of the mounting locations. The module including one or more module reference locators each adapted to engage one of the device reference locators when the module is positioned to be mounted to the mounting location.

Abstract: A refuse container has a bin defining a cavity and a lid selectively inhibiting access to the cavity. A pair of opposing brackets is located below the lid. The brackets are in laterally spaced relationship such that a space is located between portions of the brackets. Each bracket has opposing inner and outer face portions with an interior gap formed between therebetween. The interior gap is fluidly isolated from the cavity. A rib is located within the interior gaps such that each rib extends inwardly relative to the space between the brackets. A retention bar is coupled to each bracket and spans the space from one bracket to the other bracket wherein opposing ends of the retention bar extend into the interior gap of each bracket, and an exposed portion of the retention bar spans the space between the brackets. The end portions of the retention bar abut the ribs.

Abstract: A system provides high-throughput radar signal processing without resorting to costly parallel processing tool kits. The system breaks the signal processing chain into a series of independent data processing units (DPUs) that execute independently and in parallel. Queuing theory is used to efficiently distribute processing across multiple processor cores and/or computers. The system scales to an arbitrary number of cores/computers. The independent nature of the DPUs readily allows addition/replacement of new filters into the system.

Abstract: A steam-based method and system for recovering and processing a hydrocarbon mixture from a subterranean formation. Steam is injected into the subterranean formation to mobilize said hydrocarbon mixture, then the mobilized hydrocarbon mixture is recovered, a self-sufficient diluent is added, and the mixture is separated to produce separated water and separated hydrocarbon. The separated hydrocarbon is deasphalted to produce a deasphalted hydrocarbon and asphaltenes, which is combusted in an oxycombustion process to generate steam and/or energy and CO2, and said the steam is injected into the formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filters used to remove debris from water being sucked into a piping system. It has particular application use in nuclear power plants, which, after a loss of coolant accident, must pump cooling water back into the reactor core from a collection sump. This water may contain various types of debris that must be removed before the water is sent back into the reactor cooling system. There are restrictions on the allowable pressure drop across the strainer and the space available for installing this equipment. The finned strainer of the present invention addresses these issues while maximizing the quantity of debris filtered from the water.

Abstract: A controller for producing a nuclear reactor shutdown system trip signal in response to at least one detector signal. The controller includes a signal conditioning module receiving the at least one detector signal and outputting a measured flux signal. A rate module generates a rate signal from the measured flux signal. A comparator circuit compares the rate signal to a trip setpoint and generates a first trip signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for induction heating a helical rotor of a progressing cavity pump in order to reduce the surface roughness of the rotor. In order to heat the rotor most evenly, it is desired to space the coil as closely around the rotor as possible. The invention provides a mechanism for threading the helical rotor through an induction coil having an interior diameter which is less than the major diameter of the rotor. The induction coil may include one loop and overlapping ends. The rotor to be heated is rotated about its longitudinal axis and advanced axially through the coil as it rotates. The axial speed and rotational speed are synchronized so that the rotor moves one pitch through the coil for each complete rotation.

Abstract: A coin chute for a vending machine may include one or more anti-fishing assemblies located in the vicinity of the coin chute's opening for receiving coins. The anti-fishing assemblies may include one or more rotatable anti-fishing fingers that project into a coin channel. The anti-fling fingers may rotate out of the coin channel to allow inserted coins to pass. In addition, the anti-fishing fingers prevent withdrawal of inserted coins out of the coin channel. The anti-fishing assemblies may be in addition to anti-pull back assemblies that prevent inserted coins from being withdrawn back past a coin discriminator.

Abstract: A controller for producing a nuclear reactor shutdown system trip signal in response to at least one detector signal. The controller includes a signal conditioning module receiving the at least one detector signal and outputting a measured flux signal. A rate module generates a rate signal from the measured flux signal. A comparator circuit compares the rate signal to a trip setpoint and generates a first trip signal.