Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring nonferrous electrical resistance measurement. The method includes providing a nonferrous material, inducing a magnetic field on the nonferrous material, measuring the remote magnetic field of the nonferrous material, and comparing the measured remote magnetic field to a standard.

Abstract: A transport container for nuclear fuel assemblies, of right prismatic shape, which has an external envelope and an internal structure defining at least one housing for receiving and holding a fuel assembly.

Abstract: A laser welding device for metal parts with a laser mounting (21), a lens system (27), and a table (20). The laser is mounted to the laser mounting (21). The lens systems (27) focuses the laser beam (41) on a focus (29). The table (20) holds the metal part to be welded. The laser beam (41) impinges on the metal part at an acute angle &thgr; especially on the shoulder of a flat contact plug (1).

Abstract: A method for testing whether fuel rods of fuel assemblies resting on a working base and under water, of a nuclear reactor are leaking is disclosed. The method includes heating at least one first fuel assembly of a first division of fuel assemblies for driving radioactive fission products out of a defective fuel rod contained in the first fuel assembly. The first fuel assembly is continuously tested by extracting samples of water and continuously degassing the water removed from an area around the first fuel assembly even during the heating resulting in gas. A radioactivity of gaseous fission products released in the gas is continuously recorded. A fuel assembly belonging to a second division of fuel assemblies is heated only if the first fuel assembly belonging to the first division of fuel assemblies has been tested. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electro-optical connection module (1) comprises a first end (30) designed to receive optical fibers (11), and comprises means (6) to convert a signal conveyed by these optical fibers into an electrical signal. These means are preferably placed on a rigid portion (4) of a printed circuit (2) contained in this module. Furthermore, this printed circuit portion is connected by means of a flexible printed circuit portion (13) to a printed circuit end (17). This printed circuit end has contacts (100) in the form of an electrical plug at one end (34) of this module. This second end is opposite to the first end of the module. Thus, the optical module is used for an electrical connection and comprises every means to convert the optical signal received into an electrical signal.

Abstract: An electrical connector plug comprising a connector housing (1) with at least a first locking element (7, 8, 44) that is rigid and a counter-connector housing (2) which is complementarily to the connector housing (1) with at least a second locking element that is resilient (15, 53) and a spring element (25,55) for increasing a spring force and together with the first and second locking elements (7, 8, 15, 44, 53) define an unstable swell point. Furthermore, during movement of the counter-connector housing (2) in the direction of insertion (F) into the connector housing (1), the first locking element (7, 8, 44) presses so strongly against the second locking element (15, 53), that the spring element (25, 55) located in the second locking element (15, 53) builds up a tension with the swell point being reached by using tension from the spring element (25, 55).

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrical plug connector with a shielding device (8) which comprises a housing (1) and a plug-in projection (2) mold onto the housing (1) which includes along the plugging-in direction of the plug connector, contact elements (5) for engaging with corresponding counterparts (32) in a connector part (30) and at least one guide element (7) for engaging with a complementary piece (31), where the shielding device (8) comprises an electrically conductive ring (10) which surrounds the contact elements (5) and contact studs (11) for conducting away electrical charges on the connector part (30).

Abstract: A method for inspecting an irradiated fuel element in a nuclear power plant includes the step of measuring, with a measuring device, a spacer of a fuel element for providing measurements of the spacer. The measuring device also measures a calibration rod for providing measurements of the calibration rod, the calibration rod having known dimensions. The measurements of the spacer are calibrated by using the measurements of the calibration rod. It is possible thereby to measure at least the maximum width of the spacer with a measuring error of less than 20 &mgr;m. A device for inspecting an irradiated fuel element in a nuclear power plant is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making flat, thin elements which consist of: producing a zirconium alloy blank also containing, besides the inevitable impurities, 0.8 to 1.3% of niobium, 1100 to 1800 ppm of oxygen, and 10 to 35 ppm of sulfur; carrying out a &bgr; hardening and hot rolling to obtain a blank and performing on it at least three cold rolling passes with intermediate annealing heat treatments. One of the intermediate heat treatments is performed for a duration of at least 5 hours at a temperature less than 560° C. and all the optional treatments subsequent to the long treatment are carried out at a temperature of less than 620° C. for not more than 15 minutes.

Abstract: At regular intervals, the grid strap has formed therein notches for assembly with transverse straps. Between at least some pairs of notches, it has a rod-holding spring comprising two resilient strips cut out from the plane wall of the strap and integral therewith. Each strip extends transversely relative to its strap and is connected to the common portion of the strap at its two ends. In the free state, the strips project towards the inside of the cell concerned and they are interconnected in the middle by a transverse bridge which projects relative to the two strips.

Abstract: A strip (1) is described which includes a first device (5, 15) for temporarily holding a contact (2), and having a second device (26) for retaining the contact inside a tube. Provided with a clip (39) in such a manner that the contact is ready to be inserted in a receptacle of a connector. The strip allows the displacement of several grouped contacts, in a parallel arrangement on the strip. The strip is preferably displaced in coiled form, therefore having protection devices (41) to prevent the contacts from crushing over each other. Precut bridges (44) allow an easy separation of contacts surrounded by their respective clip from the strip.

Abstract: A plug connector (1) is disclosed having a secondary locking device (8) with legs (10), which fix the locking arms (5) of the plug connector (1) in their final locked position in a socket (16). The secondary locking device (8) also has a spring arm (12) with a step (13), which is supported on a locking projection (15) formed on the housing (2) of the plug connector (1), which holds the secondary locking device (8) in a pre-locked position, where the step (13) is only lifted from the locking projection (15) during the insertion of the plug connector (1) into the socket (16). Thereafter, the secondary locking device (8) can be locked into the final locked position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for inspecting spring hold down bolts of an upper tie plate of a fuel rod assembly in a nuclear reactor and includes an inspection fixture adapted to be aligned with the upper tie plate of the nuclear reactor fuel rod assembly for placement into a position for rapid and easy insitu inspection of the hold down bolts of the upper tie plate. The fixture is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are positioned on the fixture so that when the fixture is placed into the inspection position each transducer will be located proximate to one of the hold down bolts for conducting effective ultrasonic scanning of the bolt while the bolt is in place. A multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector is connected to each of the transducers for indicating whether there are any flaws in each of the hold down bolts when the fixture is placed into the inspection position and the ultrasonic transducers are activated.

Abstract: An electrical wedge connector with a wedge and a shell. The shell is a one-piece sheet metal member with a conductor piercing section. The conductor piercing section comprises a tab of the sheet metal member at an end of the shell that is folded about 180° inward against an interior side of the shell. The tab has a section that projects in an inward direction generally perpendicular to the interior side and has teeth at an end edge thereof.

Abstract: A connector comprises a housing of insulating material and a number of right-angled contact elements arranged in rows and columns. The contact elements are provided with a contact end, an intermediate elbow part and a termination for connection to a printed circuit board. The housing includes a first housing section accommodating the contact ends of the contact elements, and a second housing section accommodating the elbow parts. The second housing section comprises upper and lower walls, and support walls extending mainly parallel to the upper and lower walls between adjacent rows of contact elements for supporting the intermediate elbow parts of the rows of contact elements. The second housing section is provided with at least one intermediate wall extending transverse to the support walls between the elbow parts of two adjacent columns of contact elements.

Abstract: The multiple pin contactor device for bus bar systems includes at least one bus bar (3) consisting of at least two plates (1) stacked on top of and fixed to one another. This device includes at least one set of contactor pin forks (5) which coincide and are arranged one above the other, in which the contactor pin forks (5) of the different plates (1) are movable independently of one another when the plug-in contactor (10) is introduced.

Abstract: A tube testing system consists of two subassemblies, the probe and the applicator. The probe uses a stack of Belleville style washers that when compressed allow the locking fingers to relax and the probe to be inserted into the tube. Once the probe is placed in the correct location using the applicator, the Belleville style washers are allowed to expand, locking in the fingers and engaging the urethane seals. As the water fills the tube, the air is pushed through a bleed hole in the mandrel of the probe. The bleed hole leads to a chamber in the top of the probe that contains a plastic ball. The ball floats on water and as the chamber fills, the ball seals off the leak path and the tube can then be pressurized and the test performed. Once the test is complete, the water is drained and using the applicator, the probe is removed from the tube.

Abstract: A hydrogen/oxygen reaction is initiated in a catalytic recombination or ignition device. The device has one or more catalyst bodies with a predetermined catalytic surface. Only a small portion of the entire available catalytic surface, preferably less than 5% of the surface, is permanently maintained at a temperature level above ambient temperature. The temperature is raised by introducing energy with a heater. The heated surface portion acts as an initial igniter.

Abstract: A fuel assembly mechanical flow restriction apparatus for detecting failure in situ of nuclear fuel rods in a fuel assembly during reactor shutdown.

Abstract: An electrolysis apparatus has a number of membrane electrolysis cells. Each of the cells has a membrane formed on both sides with a contact layer. The apparatus, while it is compact in its design, is also suitable for comparatively high hydrogen production rates and can consequently be used particularly flexibly. A contact plate is respectively arranged on each contact layer. Each of the contact plates is formed, on its surface facing the contact layer assigned to it, with a system of ducts for the transport of water and/or gas.