Abstract: A non-venting current limiting fuse for mounting in a cutout comprises a high current fuse component and a low current fuse component housed in separate compartments of a housing and connected in series. Interruption of a low current overload results in operation of the low current fuse component only, with the high current component being unaffected. The low current fuse component is removable from the housing such that when a low current overload situation exists, the low current fuse component can be simply removed and replaced without the need for replacement of the more costly high current fuse component.

Abstract: A turbine installation having reduced inner and outer gaps comprises a water passageway and a turbine runner disposed in the passageway downstream of a discharge ring. The turbine runner includes a hollow hub having spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil having an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis so that its inner edge is proximate the hub. Each blade is rotatable between a maximum pitch position and a minimum pitch position. The discharge ring has a spherical configuration cooperable with the outer edge of each of the blades to reduce an outer gap formed between the outer edge of each of the blades and the passageway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-line tritium-in-water monitoring in which a sample of water is vaporized at a temperature sufficient to transform it to dry water vapor substantially free of liquid water droplets. The water vapor is transferred to a tritium detection device having a chamber heated to a temperature at which there is substantially no condensation of the water vapor, the detection device comprising volume detection device adapted to detect .beta.-decay of tritium atoms in the water vapor. The volume detection device may comprise ionization chamber detector, gas scintillation counting detector and gas electron multiplier detector. The method and apparatus are preferably used to detect leaks of tritiated water from the primary to secondary side of the heat transport systems associated with certain types of nuclear reactors, and when used on an in-line, continuous basis, provide a time response as low as 10 seconds with the detection limits depending on the type of volume detection equipment used.

Abstract: A runner for a hydraulic turbine or pump includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub at spaced intervals therearound. Each blade includes an inner edge secured to the hub and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge, and a curved suction surface and an opposed curved pressure surface. At least one of the blades is fabricated from a curved pressure-side member and a curved suction-side member secured together. The pressure-side member includes at least a substantial portion of the curved pressure surface and an opposed first inner surface. The suction-side member includes at least a substantial portion of the curved suction surface and an opposed second inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces face each other, and at least a portion of the first inner surface is spaced from at least a portion of the second inner surface to form a cavity within the blade. A method of making the hollow blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a reflective stretched membrane mirror for use in the collection and focusing of solar energy includes a tensioning fixture to which a plurality of air-actuated cylinders are attached. The piston arm of each cylinder is in turn connected to an air-actuated clamp which is designed to hold a portion of the peripheral edge of the reflective film which is to be stretched. Depending upon the properties of the film and its tensioning characteristics, cylinders which need the same air pressure are connected in common to a single regulator. The regulators are then connected to an air compressor and the sheet of reflective film is tensioned to a desired level at which point it is adhesively bonded to a circular frame. Once a first reflective film is bonded to a top side of the frame, the process is repeated with a second reflective film bonded to the back or opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a reflective stretched membrane mirror for use in the collection and focusing of solar energy includes a tensioning fixture to which a plurality of air-actuated cylinders are attached. The piston arm of each cylinder is in turn connected to an air-actuated clamp which is designed to hold a portion of the peripheral edge of the reflective film which is to be stretched. Depending upon the properties of the film and its tensioning characteristics, cylinders which need the same air pressure are connected in common to a single regulator. The regulators are then connected to an air compressor and the sheet of reflective film is tensioned to a desired level at which point it is adhesively bonded to a circular frame. Once a first reflective film is bonded to a top side of the frame, the process is repeated with a second reflective film bonded to tile back or opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: Composition, method and apparatus for providing a surface stabilized source of HNCO by adsorbing gaseous or liquid HNCO on the surface of a substrate. HNCO stabilized in this manner is not reactive and is stable at or above ambient temperature. The HNCO can be provided by heating a reactant source material, such as urea. The substrate can be heated to release HNCO. The present invention is especially useful as a source of HNCO for reducing NO.sub.x in gas streams.

Abstract: A pressurized incineration method for pressurized incineration of a solid waste material to produce electrical and thermal energy is disclosed. A combustion chamber is fueled by a solid waste fuel. The chamber is pressurized by an air compressor and the fuel is combusted. The hot compressed gases created by combustion pass out of the combustion chamber into an exhaust line that splits so as to provide hot gases to a turbocharger and a separate power recovery turbine. The turbocharger and the power recovery turbine have a rugged design so as to handle compressed gases containing corrosive effluents and particulate matter. If necessary, gas cleaning equipment may also be used to reduce corrosive effluents and particulate matter to an acceptable level in the inlet gas stream to both the turbocharger and the power recovery turbine. Expansion of a portion of the hot compressed gas through the turbine section of the turbocharger provides energy to drive the turbocharger's air compressor.

Abstract: An improved device for generating an alternating electrical current is disclosed, employing a stationary electrical exciter coil and inductive ouptut coil, and a pair of reciprocating elements to selectively alternate between a plurality of magnetic flux field paths. The reciprocating elements each have relatively staggered magnetically permeable portions for alternatingly establishing one of the magnetic flux field paths. The alternating flux field paths, each passing through the center axis of the inductive output coil, cause the reversal of the direction of magnetic flux flow through the center axis, inducing the inductive coil to generate an alternating output current.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel paarticles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel particles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel particles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.