Abstract: An improved surface traversing apparatus has an anchor finger selectively movable laterally of another anchor finger into near or substantial alignment with an opening in a member for insertion thereinto and includes one or more of the fingers being mounted to a base portion of the platform by a mounting arrangement which allows one finger to be deflected laterally relative to another finger such that the finger being inserted may deflect into exact alignment with the receiving opening by lateral engagement with the sidewall of the opening. Each finger is resiliently mounted to a connecting member which is, in turn, connected to the base portion of the platform. The resilient mount for each finger normally centers the finger and allows both pivotal and translatory displacement of the finger relative to the connecting member.

Abstract: An improved surface traversing apparatus is provided in which one anchor or group of anchors is connected with one base, another anchor or group of anchors is connected with another base, each anchor group is movable en bloc transversely of its respective base for lateral movement across the surface of a member to be traversed, and the two bases are movable relative to one another in a direction which moves one finger group alternately toward and away from engagement with a member engaged by the other finger group. The anchors may be selectively expandable fingers which are longitudinally insertable into and retractable from openings in a steam generator tube sheet to provide the engagement therewith.

Abstract: A plurality of first logic processors are interconnected in a "ring" type network and individually exercise control over similar equipment group subsystems which individually contribute to the operation of an overall system. Each of the interconnected processors, in addition to its primary control function, monitors the safety of operation of the equipment group with which associated and the safety of operation of a "neighboring" equipment group. Redundant safety checks are thus performed on each equipment group and any discrepancies in the results of such safety checks are enunciated. A pair of further logic processors, in addition to performing other control functions including scheduling the operation of the individual equipment groups, redundantly check the safety of operation of the overall system.

Abstract: A system is provided which prevents the operation of a nuclear reactor in a region of a prohibited reactor power distribution. The method of operation includes inhibiting the insertion of control rods into the reactor on the basis of a power dependent control rod insertion limit and further overriding the control of the reactor by rapidly reducing reactor power when reactor power increases to a reactor power which exceeds by a predetermined margin the limit set by the power dependent control rod insertion limit.

Abstract: A system and method are described in which sulfur-containing flue gases are contacted with a solution containing excess calcium or magnesium bicarbonate. The sulfur oxides are reacted with the bicarbonate producing soluble bisulfites. This solution is then oxidized for pH control to produce calcium or magnesium sulfate and sulfuric acid. Dolomite or limestone or similar additives are then introduced to precipitate sulfates and to regenerate the bicarbonate solution for recycle to the scrubber.

Abstract: A pulverizer having four hydraulic drive motors for rotating the grinding ring or bowl. The motors are mounted so as to be easily accessible, so that one or more can readily be removed for repair during which time the pulverizer can remain in operation. The speed of rotation of the grinding bowl can be varied by either changing the pressure of the driving hydraulic fluid, or by stopping the supply of fluid to one or more of the motors.

Abstract: A venturi-type gas scrubber comprising two rows of parallel spaced rod contact members to dispose in a housing through which a contaminated gas stream is directed. The two rows are spaced relative to each other in the direction of gas flow and the scrubbing liquid is introduced into the stream by being directed into some of the upstream row of rod members that are in the form of hollow tubes. There are openings in these tube walls so oriented as to provide a spray that is countercurrent to the gas flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abatement of excess gasoline vapor emissions which occur during transfer of service station liquid gasoline from one storage tank to another storage tank, such as the transfer of gasoline at a gasoline service station from a gasoline storage tank truck to underground gasoline storage tanks and also from underground gasoline storage tanks to an automobile or vehicle storage tank through a gasoline pump station. Vent outlet pipes of the underground storage tanks are manifolded to a common vent pipe, where the vapor pressure is sensed and upon reaching a predetermined vapor pressure, (normally slightly below atmospheric) vapors are directed along a path from the vent pipe to a burner means. Gasoline vapors are directed to the burner by means of suction produced by an ejector using compressed air and an air-fume mixer so that substantially complete combustion of the resulting vapor air mixture will occur in the burner means.

Abstract: Conduit segments are mounted above a horizontal plate which supports an upper bed of media. The segments have perforations formed on their underside. A screen is draped over each segment and extends down the sides of a cradle mounted on the plate to support the segment. The screen laterally supports the media and functions to isolate the media from a fluid volume beneath the perforations in the underside of the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for carrying out the submerged arc surfacing of metallic work pieces with metal electrode strips melting in an electric arc while forming welding beads upon the work piece. A slag breaker comprising a series of parallel plate portions disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the electrode strip is positioned on the leading side of the electrode strip adjacent the region of the electric arc. The slag breaker serves to break up an accumulation of fused flux particles which tend to form a sheet in front of the welding arc which, if permitted to form would block the flux feed into the welding arc on the leading side. The slag breaker thus serves to prohibit formation of such a sheet and thereby permits uniform flow of flux to insure complete submergence of the arc in the flux material thus minimizing the chance of the arc flashing through the flux burden and resulting in defects in the deposited cladding material.

Abstract: An apparatus for the safe storage of a plurality of fissionable masses including an array of discrete neutron absorbing shields which utilizes the principle of the neutron trap to reduce the multiplication factor of the storage array to a subcritical value when immersed in a neutron moderating medium. Each discrete neutron absorbing shield is designed to perimetrically encircle each of the stored fissionable masses. Each shield is spaced such that the encircled fissionable mass is spaced from the next adjacent neutron absorbing shield by a distance determined by the enrichment of the fissionable masses and attenuation of the moderating medium.

Abstract: A control system for the hydraulic loading of the grinding rolls of a pulverizing mill, including a feedback servo system designed to incorporate a spring rate characteristic into the hydraulic loading of the grinding rolls.

Abstract: A fuel handling machine for a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor in which a retractable handling tube and gripper are lowered into the reactor to withdraw a spent fuel assembly into the handling tube. The handling tube containing the fuel assembly immersed in liquid sodium is then withdrawn completely from the reactor into the outer barrel of the handling machine. The machine is then used to transport the spent fuel assembly directly to a remotely located decay tank. The fuel handling machine includes a decay heat removal system which continuously removes heat from the interior of the handling tube and which is capable of operating at its full cooling capacity at all times. The handling tube is supported in the machine from an articulated joint which enables it to readily align itself with the correct position in the core. An emergency sodium supply is carried directly by the machine to provide make up in the event of a loss of sodium from the handling tube during transport to the decay tank.

Abstract: The rotor of a turbine meter has a ceramic bushing and is mounted on a ceramic shaft. A ceramic body is mounted to engage the bushing in one direction. Thin layers of elastomeric material are placed between the mounted end of the shaft and the ceramic body and its mount to provide mechanical shock absorption.

Abstract: An electric circuit with a plurality of inputs, each input receiving a train of pulses. Each pulse of each train sets a latch of cross-coupled logic gates to an output of logic 1. A clock generating regular voltage pulses is connected in parallel to the latches so as to reset the output of each gate to logic 0 in series with each other. The plurality of outputs from the latches is passed through a common gate to form the output train of pulses as an addition of the plural inputs.

Abstract: The rotor of a turbine meter is supported in the bore of its housing between a pair of spiders. One vane of each spider has structure with which it engages grooves in the bore wall to lock the spider in place within the bore.

Abstract: A monitoring system for providing warning and/or trip signals indicative of the approach of the operating conditions of a nuclear steam supply system to a departure from nucleate boiling or coolant temperature saturation. The invention is characterized by calculation of the thermal limit locus in response to signals which accurately represent reactor cold leg temperature and core power; the core power signal being adjusted to compensate for the effects of both radial and axial peaking factor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for welding one or more fins or longitudinally extended plate like members to tubes or pipes by means of radio frequency resistance heating. A V-gap necessary for the high frequency welding technique is created by deforming the tube to produce an out of round or ovular shape. The welding is accomplished as the out of round tube or pipe is deformed back to a round shape while at the same time bringing the fin or plate like member into contact with the tube or pipe.

Abstract: A reactor trip on turbine trip inhibit control system for a nuclear power generating system which utilizes steam bypass valves. The control system inhibits a normally automatic reactor trip on turbine trip when the bypass valves have the capability of bypassing enough steam to prevent reactor trip limits from being reached and/or to prevent opening of the secondary safety pressure valves. The control system generates a bypass valve capability signal which is continuously compared with the reactor power. If the capability is greater than the reactor power, then an inhibit signal is generated which prevents a turbine trip signal from tripping the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: The blades of a turbine meter are shown cutting the lines of force generated by a plurality of electromagnetic pick-up units positioned about the circle of blades. The pick-up units are connected in an electric network which amplifies, shapes and multiplies the voltage pulses generated by the blades and pick-up units and then combines the pulses into a single train representing the fluid flowing through the turbine meter.