Abstract: A universal hybrid solid-state switchgear for power transmission or distribution systems incorporates a fast mechanical switch and solid-state power electronics switching circuits to provide circuit breaker and fault current limiting applications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for welding together two metal pieces, comprising buttering a surface of a first metal piece with a first nickel-based filler metal at a thickness sufficient to isolate a heat-affected zone in the first metal piece from subsequent welding; heat-treating at least the heat-affected zone in the first metal piece; buttering a surface of a second metal piece with a second nickel-based filler metal having the same composition as the first nickel-based filler metal and at a thickness sufficient to isolate a heat-affected zone in the second metal piece from subsequent welding; heat-treating at least the heat-affected zone in the second metal piece; and welding the heat-treated first buttered surface to the heat-treated second buttered surface with a third nickel-based filler metal having the same composition as the first and second nickel-based filler metals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for connecting two pairs of conductors and one pair of ground wires and for allowing separation of the same upon the application of a tensional force upon at least one of the conductors or ground wires. The apparatus comprises two plates that each defines three holes configured to receive two conductors and a ground wire, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent to each other such that the respective holes in each plate are aligned such that the conductors and ground wires coming from each plate would be in physical contact. Three connectors hold the plates together. The first two connectors are configured to release the plates upon the application of a tensional force on the conductors or ground wires before the third connector releases the plates, thereby separating the conductors before separating the ground wires. Another embodiment addresses the same in multi-service connections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring hydrogen concentration in an electrically conductive material, such as a nuclear fuel rod, comprising calibrating an eddy current probe at a plurality of hydrogen concentrations; measuring eddy currents at a plurality of positions along an electrically conductive material; and calculating a hydrogen concentration in the electrically conductive material at each of the positions along the electrically conductive material. The present invention also provides a system for measuring hydrogen concentration in a nuclear fuel rod, comprising an eddy current probe; a nuclear fuel rod calibration standard; a data handling system for collecting data generated by the eddy current probe and for performing calculations using the data. The system may be utilized in-situ and may comprise a movable probe mount configured to hold the eddy current probe and to traverse the calibration standard and the nuclear fuel rod to be measured.

Abstract: A vacuum assembly for cleaning foreign matter from a nuclear reactor vessel, vessel components, and reactor coolant during reactor outage. The assembly includes a vacuum head for being inserted into the vessel and a first pump fluidly communicating with the vacuum head for directing water under pressure in the area of the vacuum head onto component surfaces within the vessel to be cleaned and thereby dislodging foreign matter from the surfaces into suspension in the reactor coolant. A filter removes foreign matter suspended in the reactor coolant from the reactor coolant. A second pump communicates with the vacuum head for pumping reactor coolant through the filter from an upstream side to a downstream side for accumulating foreign matter on an upstream side of the filter while passing filtered coolant therethrough.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for welding together two metal pieces, comprising buttering a surface of a first metal piece with a first nickel-based filler metal at a thickness sufficient to isolate a heat-affected zone in the first metal piece from subsequent welding; heat-treating at least the heat-affected zone in the first metal piece; buttering a surface of a second metal piece with a second nickel-based filler metal having the same composition as the first nickel-based filler metal and at a thickness sufficient to isolate a heat-affected zone in the second metal piece from subsequent welding; heat-treating at least the heat-affected zone in the second metal piece; and welding the heat-treated first buttered surface to the heat-treated second buttered surface with a third nickel-based filler metal having the same composition as the first and second nickel-based filler metals.

Abstract: A staged-coal injection procedure for coal-fired boilers used in power generation. The procedure includes the steps of combusting a first type of coal in a first zone of a furnace; and combusting a second type of coal in a second zone of the furnace. The second zone is at a position separate from the first zone.

Abstract: An electric power transmission system that isolates a local AC transmission network from a surrounding AC system includes a local AC load center having a plurality of local AC loads, and a distribution feeder serving the plurality of local AC loads and at least one distant electric power generating station or other power source for supplying AC power to the local AC load center. A complete or partial DC transmission ring is interposed between the local AC load center and the distant electric power generating station for isolating the AC power received from the distant electric power generating station from the local AC load center by converting the AC power to DC power. The DC power is re-converted into AC power based on load requirements and the distribution feeder supplies the AC power while all local AC loads are isolated from the distant electric power generating station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of high conductivity or permittivity conditions in electrically insulating materials, including a first electrode and a second electrode for being placed in spaced-apart relation on an insulator to be tested for a high conductivity or permittivity condition, and a high voltage source for energizing the first electrode and second electrode at different potentials. At least one gas gap is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and proximate a surface of the insulator; and a detector determines the level of ionization of the at least one gas gap while the electrodes are energized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, computer program product, and apparatus and control system and method for providing substantially uninterrupted power to a load. The apparatus includes a control system coupled with an electrical power storage subsystem and a electrical power generator. The control system is configured to provide a plurality of modes of operation including at least a static compensator (STATCOM) mode, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mode and a generator mode (gen set), and to control transitions between each of the plurality of modes. In one embodiment, the control system is an integrated closed loop control system that includes a current control system and a voltage control system. The apparatus is capable of operating at least two of the plurality of modes simultaneously, including ramping the gen set mode up and simultaneously ramping the UPS mode down as the gen set mode is ramped down.

Abstract: A method of voltage instability load shedding, that includes the steps of measuring current and voltage waveforms of an electrical system at a local bus estimating the Thevenin equivalent admittance based on Kalman Filter techniques, then a voltage stability margin index is calculated using the voltage magnitude. The determined Thevenin admittance and the load at the local system bus and the calculated voltage stability margin index is compared with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether to initiate a load shedding action.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus, which uses symbol sequence techniques, temporal irreversibility, and/or cluster analysis to monitor the operating state of individual burner flames on a appropriate time scale. Both the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used optimize the performance of burner flames.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, thereby reducing the concentration of the vapor phase contaminant in the gas stream. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, comprising contacting a gas stream comprising a vapor phase contaminant with a first side of a membrane; sorbing the vapor phase contaminant using the membrane; reacting the vapor phase contaminant into an reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant; transporting the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant through the membrane to a second side of the membrane; contacting the second side of the membrane with a liquid; and dissolving the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant into the liquid. Methods for making a membrane comprising a metal for use in the present invention is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for removing particulate and a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream including, in one embodiment, directing a gas stream comprising fly ash and a vapor phase contaminant into a particulate collection device, wherein the particulate collection device includes an upstream collection section and a downstream collection section; removing at least a portion of the fly ash from the gas stream in the upstream collection section; injecting a sorbent into the particulate control device between the upstream collection section and the downstream collection section; adsorbing the vapor phase contaminant onto the sorbent to produce spent sorbent; and removing the spent sorbent from the gas stream in the upstream collection section. An apparatus is also provided for performing the methods.

Abstract: A method for repairing a heat recovery steam generator (HSRG) header to tube attachment damage, includes providing an access window in the header opposite the damaged header to tube attachment location; removing the header to tube attachment damage; inserting a tapered stub tube into a header penetration centered axially immediately over the tube; effecting a profile weld between the header and the tapered stub tube at the header penetration from the inside surface of the header; welding the tapered stub tube to the existing tube through the header inside diameter; welding shut the access window; and completing a post weld heat treatment of all the welds.

Abstract: A method for the inspection and repair of a tube includes electrical discharge machining an access hole into the tube, optionally at or near the uppermost location on the tube, near the upper header; performing inspection of the tube, optionally using a visual or an eddy current inspection technique; providing an inner diameter flush-mounted plug insert which has been machined for re-inserting into the access hole; and attaching the plug insert to the tube.

Abstract: A tracer material is embedded in a component of electrical equipment to detect excessive wear of the component when it is exposed to an electrical arc. As the component wears, the tracer material becomes exposed to the electrical arc and emits electromagnetic radiation, which is monitored continuously. The tracer material is selected so that it emits electromagnetic radiation when it is exposed to an electrical arc that is distinct from electromagnetic radiation emitted by any other parts of the component. A fluorescent tracer material may also be used.

Abstract: A multilevel converter-based, intelligent, universal transformer includes back-to-back, interconnected, multi-level converters coupled to a switched inverter circuit via a high-frequency transformer. The input of the universal transformer can be coupled to a high-voltage distribution system and the output of the universal transformer can be coupled to low-voltage applications. The universal transformer is smaller in size than conventional copper-and-iron based transformers, yet provides enhanced power quality performance and increased functionality.

Abstract: An array of magnets designed of flexible components and materials can be easily shaped to fit to the contour of various curved surfaces and structures. EMATs that incorporate these magnets, in addition to being flexible, may be smaller in volume than the conventional EMAT magnets and therefore easier to apply to complex structures where access may be restricted. Also, flexible multiple-pole magnet arrays can be easily and economically fabricated in various shapes and configurations, thereby increasing versatility, utility and cost effectiveness in comparison to the rigid, conventional magnet designs.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two pairs of conductors and one pair of ground wires and for allowing separation of the same upon the application of a tensional force upon at least one of the conductors or ground wires. The apparatus includes two plates that each defines three holes configured to receive two conductors and a ground wire, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent to each other such that the respective holes in each plate are aligned such that the conductors and ground wires coming from each plate would be in physical contact. Three connectors hold the plates together. The first two connectors are configured to release the plates upon the application of a tensional force on the conductors or ground wires before the third connector releases the plates, thereby separating the conductors before separating the ground wires.