Abstract: An radiation detection system whose inner and outer electrodes are shaped and positioned so that each path between them is a different length is a different length whereby the rise time of a pulse derived from a detected radiation event can uniquely define the azimuthal and radial position of that event.

Abstract: A fluid-tight modular joint is disclosed having various replaceable parts for refurbishing the joint after certain parts wear out. Specifically, the modular joint has a pair of sealing assemblies interconnected by a tubular sealing member which permits angular misalignment, axial movement and rotational movement between conduits. Each of the sealing assemblies includes a tubular housing with a replaceable sealing sleeve which is positively retained therein by a split retaining ring. Typically, the housings are welded to conduits, and thus, can only be removed by cutting them from their respective conduits. However, the housings are provided with access openings for inserting a camming tool therein to remove the sealing sleeves without cutting the housings away from their respective conduits. Therefore, in refurbishing the modular joint, the housings are reusable, while the sealing sleeves and tubular sealing members are replaceable.

Abstract: A rotary seal assembly for preventing leakage of a fluid from a region of high pressure in a housing to a region of relatively lower pressure includes a first member mounted within the housing and having a central axis and an annular sealing face extending in a direction substantially radial the central axis, and a second member located in the housing and having an annular sealing face extending in a direction substantially radial to the central axis and opposing the first member sealing face. The second member sealing face has a first set of grooves and a second set of grooves arranged circularly thereabout, the second set of grooves being spaced radially inward of the first set of grooves. One of the first and second members is a rotor and the other is a stator. A stator holding assembly supports the stator within the housing, the rotor being rotatable about the central axis. The stator holding assembly secures the stator against rotation and urges the stator sealing face toward the rotor sealing face.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a matrix including chromium carbide particles, and a solid lubricant mixed with the matrix and including barium fluoride and calcium fluoride. The composite material is spray deposited onto a substrate using a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spray technique to provide an HVOF spray coating.

Abstract: The segmented electrode radiation detector includes a semiconductor diode; an internal recess having a decreasing cross-sectional area extending at least partially axially into the diode. The plurality of inner electrode segments disposed axially spaced from each other on the surface of the recess and electrically isolated from each other for defining a plurality of axially discrete detection zones.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer includes a body portion constructed of three layers. The inner layer is designed to retain the seal or seals thereto, while the outer layers or plates are designed to limit the amount of seal compression. The inner layer has at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging and retaining the seal or seals to retain the seal or seals thereto.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with the body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal or seals to retain the seal or seals thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the seal retainer is folded to form three layers. In particular, the body portion of the seal retainer has a main supporting layer with four tabs foldably coupled thereto.

Abstract: A sealing ring for sealing axially facing annular surfaces having an annular bight portion and annular first and second leg portions. The annular bight portion having a first end and a second end, with an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface. The annular first leg portion having a first curved section extending from the first end of the bight portion and a second curved section extending from the first curved section to a first free end, the first and second curved sections each having an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface. The convex surface of the second curved section forms a first annular sealing surface. An annular second leg portion having a third curved section extending from the second end of the bight portion and a fourth curved section extending from the end of the third curved section to a second free end. The third and fourth curved sections each having an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer plate with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer plate includes a substantially flat rigid body portion with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging and retaining the seal or seals thereto. Preferably, the seal retainer plate is constructed of a non-metallic material. The body portion of the retainer plate has a thickness relative to the axial dimension of the seal or seals for limiting axial compression of the seal or seals.

Abstract: A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with said body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal(s) to retain the seal(s) thereto.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making fiber optic-to-metal connection seals. The optical fiber and a preform made of a sealing material are inserted into a metal cup. The metal is then heated to a temperature which melts the sealing material to form a hermetic seal between the cup and the fiber optic. The hermetic sealing material is selected from glass, glass-ceramic or braze and the metal is selected form stainless steel, a metal alloy or a high-strength superalloy. In a preferred method, the optical fiber is coated with a plastic buffer or pliant metal jacket.

Abstract: A pipe coupling device for coupling the peripheral flanges of a pair of pipes together, including a pair of retainers with gripping grooves therein for receiving portions of the peripheral flanges of the pipes. The gripping grooves of the retainers have a unique inner surface with a pair of slanted gripping surfaces and a pair of non-gripping surfaces that are located within the outer envelope of the peripheral flanges. This provides for lightweight, compact retainers. The retainers are pivotally coupled at one of their ends by a hinge assembly and releasably coupled at their opposite ends by a latch mechanism. The hinge assembly has at least two links pivotally coupled at one of their ends to one of the retainers by a first pivot pin being received in a pivot slot formed in the retainer and pivotally coupled at their other end to the other retainer by a second pivot pin being received in a pivot slot formed in the retainer.

Abstract: A stationary assembly for use in a gas or liquid seal for sealing an interface between a machine body and a rotatable shaft. The stationary assembly includes an annular seal ring attached to the machine body and surrounding the shaft. An annular seal ring housing secures the seal ring and includes a plurality of bores. Each bore retains a spring. A circumferentially flexible "O" ring holder receives the springs. The "O" ring holder presses an "O" ring against a balance diameter surrounding the shaft and the seal ring to provide a seal. The "O" ring holder includes a plurality of slots formed therein and arranged to provide the circumferential flexibility.

Abstract: A compliant seal apparatus for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The compliant seal device comprises a housing including a first wall positioned proximate the high pressure area, and a second wall positioned proximate the low pressure area. A cavity is formed between an inner surface of the first wall and an inner surface of the second wall. A finger having a free end extends from proximate the first wall toward the low pressure area. A member extends from an upper surface of the finger into the cavity to form a sealing engagement with the second wall inner surface. This sealing engagement is located closer than the free end of the finger to the first wall inner surface.

Abstract: A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween.

Abstract: A new reach-through APD structure which includes a five-layer, double-drift-region, double-junction device, having a p.sup.+ -p-n-p.sup.- -n.sup.+ structure. The middle three layers of the new APD constitute most of the thickness of the device and are fully depleted when the device is biased to its normal operating voltage. In the present invention, only primary carriers generated in the relatively narrow first drift region are subject to the full avalanche gain, resulting in dark current and noise levels much lower than conventional reach-through APD's. The new structure can be used to fabricate integrated arrays of APD's. These arrays are more durable and easily fabricated than are prior art APD's. Additionally, the new array structure does not require segmentation or isolation of the multiplying regions of the different elements of the array, allowing arrays to be made with little or no dead space between elements.

Abstract: Split component to be held in a fixed position on a shaft includes a component member having at least two portions with opposite ends that mate together in sealing engagement, and a plurality of resilient holding segments positioned between the inner surface of the component member and the outer surface of the shaft for holding the component member in a fixed position on the shaft. By compression, the holding segments provide a resiliency-induced resistant force sufficient to prevent movement of the component member in an axial direction and in a circumferential direction relative to the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, each holding segment is a metal spring member extending less than 180.degree. circumferentially around the outer surface of the shaft and having a continuous concave surface directed toward the outer surface of the shaft with gripping edges along opposite sides of the concave surface.

Abstract: An active quench circuit for interrupting the current flow in an avalanche photodiode (APD) operating in Geiger mode and for resetting the APD. The invention increases the speed of quenching and reduces the time required to bring the APD voltage back to its operating voltage above the breakdown voltage. The circuit includes a small inductor which isolates the reset circuit from the APD during the initial discharge and which provides a current pulse into the APD immediately after the end of the quenching operation to recharge the diode. The reset circuit also includes a diode assembly that increases the speed of the avalanche current pulse and that prevents the circuit from oscillating or latching under certain operating conditions. The circuit presents a low impedance to the APD during during reset, and is much less sensitive to the APD capacitance than prior art circuits.

Abstract: A pipe coupling device for coupling the peripheral flanges of a pair of pipes together, including a pair of retainers with a V-shaped groove therein for receiving portions of the peripheral flanges of the pipes. The retainers are pivotally coupled at one of their ends by a hinge assembly and releasably coupled at their opposite ends by a latch mechanism. The hinge assembly has at least two links pivotally coupled at one of their ends to one of the retainers by a first pivot pin and pivotally coupled at their other ends to the other retainer by a second pivot pin. The pivot pins are separated from each other such that the links of the hinge assembly straddle the peripheral flanges of the pipes. This arrangement provides more uniform pressure at the ends of the retainers since the moment resulting from the offset of the hinge assembly is moved closer to the circumferential loading line between the retainers and the flanges of the pipe.