Abstract: In a nuclear battery utilizing the Seebeck Effect to produce an electric voltage, a shock support system is disclosed wherein thermally conductive spring means and alignment caps support a thermoelectric converter between a heat sink and an independently supported heat source so as to cushion the converter from vibration and shock.

Abstract: A mold cavity is only partially filled with nuclear fuel particles and is closed. The volume of the cavity is then reduced until the fuel particles substantially fill the mold cavity. The mold may be heated and a fluid solidifiable binder injected into the mold cavity to fill the interstices between the fuel particles while the cavity volume is further decreased during injection of the binder to avoid formation of voids. Flow of excess binder through an upper vent passage assures complete filling of the cavity.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel particle wherein a core, up to about 250 microns in diameter, of a normally solid fissionable material is completely encased in a shell having at least two concentric layers. A yielding of carbonaceous material about 5 to about 50 microns thick is disposed inward of a layer of substantially impermeable refractory material, e.g., pyrocarbon, up to about 100 microns thick. Examples of the yielding layer include carbonized synthetic polymer resins and sooty pyrocarbon.

Abstract: An electric power generator of the type employing a nuclear heat source or the like and a thermoelectric converter is described wherein a transparent thermal insulating medium is provided inside an encapsulating enclosure to thermally insulate the heat source and thermoelectric generator. The heat source, the thermoelectric converter, and the enclosure are provided with facing surfaces which are heat-reflective to a substantial degree to inhibit radiation of heat through the medium of the encapsulating enclosure. Multiple reflective foils may be spaced within the medium as necessary to inhibit natural convection of heat and/or further inhibit radiation.

Abstract: A device to provide access to the circulatory system of a living body includes a conduit and a housing integrally associated with the conduit and having fluid communication therewith through an aperture in a wall common to both. The housing extends the fluid communication to a point outside the living body. Inside the housing is a movable valve body which has a port alignable with the aperture. The valve body is movable in the housing between positions of alignment and non-alignment of the aperture and the port to selectively establish fluid communication between the circulatory system and the outside of the living body. At least the surfaces of all parts of the device that contact blood and tissue are made of biologically compatible material.

Abstract: Tiny spherules of boron carbide having a diameter in the range of about 10 microns to about 125 mils, with a smooth, substantially spherical outer surface formed from the molten state by surface tension forces, are made by melting irregular particles of boron carbide or boron compounds which react with carbon to form boron carbide in an isolating medium such as finely divided carbon or boron nitride.

Abstract: A vapor generator is described wherein a lever system is utilized to move helical connecting tubes communicating between two tube bundles subject to thermal expansion of different amounts. The lever system is actuated by thermal expansion of different amounts of two different structural elements within the vapor generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for banding a vertical wall of a large vessel with a highly tensioned tendon payed out from a traveling carriage being driven about the vertical wall. The carriage is suspended from the structure and a circumferential restraining means constrains a primary set of traction wheels driven by a primary hydraulic system and a second set of wheels driven by regenerative hydraulic system into frictional engagement with the vessel wall. The preferred wheels comprise hydraulic motors having an outer rotatable portion or race to which is directly attached an encircling tire. A tendon tensioning mechanism is disclosed with restraining elements having outer frictional surfaces engaging the tendon without slipping and having other frictional surfaces for slipping relative to a force applying means when accommodating elongation of the tendon during tensioning.

Abstract: Bearing or seal devices are made by coating graphite substrate material with carbon by a vapor deposition process and selectively removing this vapor-deposited carbon from a portion of the coated substrate to expose the underlying graphite. A strong, self-lubricating surface adapted for contact with a relatively movable object is produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for circumferentially banding a circumferential wall of a large vessel with a highly tensioned tendon. The carriage is suspended from the top of the structure and constrained into contact with the wall to travel circumferentially about the vertical structural wall. The carriage is propelled forwardly during banding against the large restraining force, e.g., 30,000 lbs. or more, from the tendon which is connected to the wall by a belt drive means on the carriage which is in driving engagement with upper and lower belts looped about the vessel and extending through the carriage. The belt drive means comprises belt drive drums about which the belts travel after being lifted from the structural wall at the forward end of the carriage. The belts are returned to the structural wall at the rear end of the carriage.

Abstract: A closed cycle gas turbine system is described employing a precooler for cooling the gas prior to compression. A closed loop coolant circuit for the precooler employs a heat exchanger. A storage tank is provided for storing a supply of coolant at a temperature substantially lower than the temperature of coolant in the coolant circuit at the discharge side of the heat exchanger. Means selectively circulate the coolant in the storage tank through the precooler to provide a power increase, when needed, in the gas turbine system.

Abstract: An insulation structure for a pressure vessel cavity is described in which a layer of fibrous insulation along the cavity wall is isolated from the remainder of the cavity to prevent circulation of fluid in the layer. Isolation is accomplished by means which define a gas flow space. Retaining means for the layer define a plurality of fluid passages communicating with the layer and allowing venting of the layer into the gas flow space upon depressurization of the cavity.

Abstract: A radioactive source of heat which is resistant to cremation conditions is made by encapsulating a radioisotope within a containment vessel and forming a refractory metal silicide diffusion coating exterior thereof. A secondary molybdenum vessel may be provided with a molybdenum silicide coating and then heated in air to oxidize its outer layer. A layer is applied exterior of the diffusion-coating which provides a continuous ceramic oxide layer upon subjection to cremation. This outer layer may be discrete silica carried in a hardenable binder of an organic polymer, and a minor amount of antimony is preferably also included.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system is described in which flexible control rods are used to enable insertion of the control rods into guide holes in the core which are distributed over an area larger than the cross section of the control rod penetration in the reactor pressure vessel. Guide tubes extend from the penetration and fan out to the guide holes for guiding the control rods from the penetration to the guide holes.

Abstract: A radiation flux measuring device is described which employs a differential pair of transistors, the output of which is maintained constant, connected to a radiation detector. Means connected to the differential pair produce a signal representing the log of the a-c component of the radiation detector, thereby providing a signal representing the true root mean square logarithmic output.

Abstract: A method of making an oxide nuclear fuel compact of predominantly open porosity having a density between about 88 and 96 percent of theoretical density. A green compact is formed from a mixture of particulate nuclear fuel oxide and fibrous material and then heated under conditions sufficient to cause removal of the fibrous material. Sintering for a sufficient length of time produces a strong, open-pore structure which is resistant to in-reactor sintering.

Abstract: A cooling tower is described employing a heat exchanger and duct means defining a passage for directing the air over the heat exchanger for cooling same. The duct means have upper and lower air intake orifices, the former being positioned a substantial distance above ground level and the latter being positioned substantially at ground level. Means are provided for selectively drawing air into the duct means through either of said orifices.

Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reformer is provided having a catalyst tube assembly which includes an outer casing and a central coaxial inner tube within the casing. A column of stacked catalyst pellets surrounds the inner tube. An annular passageway is provided between the outer surface of the column of stacked catalyst pellets and the outer casing. The fluid containing the reactants and products flows in this annular passageway and through another passageway in the center of the inner tube.

Abstract: Fluidized bed process for coating materials with pyrolytic carbon. A gaseous atmosphere including a carbonaceous substance is flowed upward through a vertical heated enclosure to fluidize a bed of particles therein. An exit conduit extends into the particle bed and a controlled flow of inert gas is fed through the conduit to regulate the exit passage of particles from the bed. Additional particles are added to the bed from above.

Abstract: A fuel element for a gas-cooled nuclear reactor having a housing surrounding a plurality of fuel pins through which coolant flows over the fuel pins. The housing has a portion of varying cross section and a plug disposed within the housing adjacent the portion. The plug and housing form a generally annular orifice through which the gas coolant flows, the size of which orifice is variable in accordance with the axial position of the plug, which can be varied from exterior of the reactor pressure vessel.