Abstract: This invention relates to a process and device for destroying solid waste by pyrolysis, in which a column of such waste is upwardly traversed at least partially by a stream of hot gas blown in at the base of said column, wherein said stream of hot gas is generated by at least one plasma jet. The invention results in the destruction of non-burned residues and in the improved flow of the molten residues.

Abstract: A device for generating transverse force on a ballistic missile mock-up for air tests by means of an installation including a mock-up launching tube adapted to slant at an angle and a recovery mock-up gantry composed of a support structure for the mock-up which is pivotably mounted to the recovery mock-up gantry so as to permit the support structure to slant to the same angle as the mock-up launching tube; a carrier provided with a guide along the support structure for supporting a mobile jack including a stem for adjusting the transverse force applied on one end of the stem which is in turn transmitted to the mock-up via another end of the stem; an adjustable assembly of loads for imparting a desired transverse force to the mock-up which are fixed to an end of a cable wound on an electric winch mounted at an upper end of the support structure, wherein the cable runs on return pulleys fixed to the carrier and wherein at least one of the pulleys is mounted on the stem of the jack so as to transmit the transver

Abstract: An apparatus for transportation, positioning and sealing a container used for receiving irradiated fuel from beneath a loading and unloading pit of a nuclear installation including a cart which is successively brought through a hall underneath a loading preparation station, underneath a removal station for removing the plug from the container, and underneath a penetration shaft providing the connection between the loading and unloading pit and the hall where the cart travels. The cart includes a framework placed on a rolling platform with a sliding and rolling support therebetween, and guided between side rails on the walls of the hall.

Abstract: A device for assembling and locking floating box caissons, which includes, on the caissons faces to be assembled, a pre-locking system disposed at the corners of the caisson and comprising a lock-type male system on one caisson, and a hook-type female system on the other caisson. Such pre-locking system is designed for producing automatically the pre-locking of the assembled caissons. A manual positive locking system is disposed in the central positions of the caissons for completely locking the two caissons together.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting, launching and retrieving floating box caissons includes a conventional road chassis, a tip-frame pivoted to the rear end of the road chassis and provided with a system for tipping the tip-frame from a normal horizontal position, and a sub-frame slidably mounted in the tip-frame and provided with a system for causing longitudinal translation of the sub-frame in relation to the tip-frame. A hauling carriage is guided for movement within the sliding sub-frame. A system is provided for moving the hauling carriage in translation within the sliding sub-frame. A lock is mounted on the hauling carriage for rigidly coupling a floating box-caisson to the carriage.

Abstract: A hinged floating box caisson structure includes a central caisson, a pair of lateral caissons and a pair of end ballasts, these elements are adapted, when in a transport position, to be folded on one another. A system for straightening the end ballasts and for unfolding the lateral caissons is arranged to produce simultaneously a 180-degree rotation of the lateral caissons and the straightening of the end ballasts. One actuator is provided for controlling these simultaneous movements.

Abstract: A device for connecting body members of pressure vessels, such as the covers of nuclear reactor pressure vessels, especially to permit the rapid removal and fitting of lids or covers of such pressure vessels, includes a stud bolt to be mounted in one of the members while passing through an aperture in an adjacent member, the bolt being provided with a head and a clamping nut, a metal member adapted to fit between the adjacent member and the head, and means for heating the metal member to cause expansion thereof against the head to allow tightening and release of the clamping nut.