Abstract: An eddy current probe capable of detecting localized defects in a ferromagnetic tube is disclosed. The probe employs a transmit coil assembly and a receive coil assembly. Means for magnetically saturating the tube near the transmit and receive coil assemblies is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simple extensometer that allows remote sensing under harsh testing conditions, such as elevated temperatures. The apparatus uses two extension arms arranged such that there is no contact between the two linkages connecting the specimen to a strain measuring device, thereby avoiding friction, the major source of problems, namely high hysteresis and non-linearity.

Abstract: This invention provides non-destructive testing of elongate compressible materials, and particularly to determine the elastodynamic properties of a material, and/or to detect defects such as non-uniformities in resilience or hardness, subsurface as well as surface defects such as inclusions, voids, tears, and the like. The material to be tested is passed between two rollers of substantially contant roller spacing. Measurement of the load provides an indication of elastodynamic properties of the material. Variations in the measured load can be utilized to detect defects in the material. The invention has been found particularly suitable for the testing of material for seals, such as O-rings.

Abstract: An eddy current probe capable of detecting defects independent of orientation, with complete circumferential coverage in tubes, tubes under support plates, etc., is disclosed. The probe employs multiple coils, operating in transmit-receive mode, in which alternate coils are electromagnetically polarized in opposite directions. The probe detects localized defects and eliminates concentric variations.

Abstract: An eddy current probe capable of detecting localized defects with 100% circumferential coverage in tubes, tubes under support plates etc., is disclosed. The probe employs multiple receiver coils with each excitation coil, operating in transmit-receive mode in which alternate receiver coils are electromagnetically polarized in opposite directions. The probe detects localized defects and eliminates concentric variations.

Abstract: A direct reading, self-powered detector and dosimeter for gamma rays, and other low LET radiation, and optionally microwaves, is described. A transparent elastic solid medium contains uniformly dispersed droplets of a very high vapor pressure detector liquid substantially immiscible with the elastic solid. It has been found possible to form stable droplets having a sufficiently high degree of superheat for their vaporization to be sensitive to lightly ionizing radiation such as gamma rays and even to microwave radiation. The droplets can be made stable to spontaneous vaporization, yet their explosive vaporization will be triggered by gamma or in some cases microwave radiation. The solid medium will retain a record of each droplet vaporized, the number being proportional to the dose of radiation. If desired the detector liquid vapors can be condensed or compressed into droplets again and the detector/dosimeter re-used.

Abstract: A system of generating electricity is disclosed. The system employs a new kind of swimming pool type nuclear reactor which is safe and can be made operable unattended but at the same time raises the mean pool temperature by forcing moderator-coolant-shield circulation. When the reactor is combined with an organic Rankine cycle engine, a significant improvement in efficiency of electricity generation can be obtained, making very small nuclear/electricity units economically viable.

Abstract: In an ion beam source, the plasma is contained near the extraction front by a cup-shaped magnetic field for improved stability and uniformity. The intermediate electrode has a profiled electron beam aperture having a first narrowest section, a second slightly wider section, and the third, known, conical section. The anode electrode or anode insert has a very narrow entrance aperture followed by outwardly flared, longer, section.

Abstract: An arrangement of sliding contacts for high current levels comprising a large number of closely spaced conductive spring contact elements formed of sheet material connected to one member and projecting obliquely towards another and for contact therewith, and wherein the projecting axis of the contact element is normal to the direction of relative motion of the members.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for injecting radioactive tracers into a fluid line such as that of an injection oil well. The radioactive material is located in a vial within the shipping container. The vial is pierced by fluid carrying lines and the radioactive material is then transferred via the carrier fluid to a previously evacuated pressure flask. The pressure flask is then isolated from the line leading to the vial and fluid from the high pressure injection line is introduced into the pressure flask to flush the radioactive material into the high pressure line and thus into the injection well.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring changes in the work function of a surface using a method devised by Kelvin and known as the "dynamic capacitor method". This apparatus comprises a system for monitoring and automatically regulating the vibration of a Kelvin probe reed assembly during variation of the experimental conditions. This system includes a piezo-ceramic crystal mounted on the probe support rod to detect the vibrations of the reed and a phase locked loop circuit which compares the signal from the piezo-ceramic detector with the signal of the reed drive coil, interprets a change in the reed resonance as a phase shift relative to the coil drive phase and then shifts the coil drive frequency to maintain the correct phase relationship.

Abstract: A partially collimated beam of thermal/epithermal neutrons is transmitted through a small bore pipe in which wet steam flows under a high pressure. A thermal neutron detector measures the transmission of the thermal/epithermal neutrons by the wet steam and generates a signal indicative of the density and steam quality of the wet steam.

Abstract: The joule melter has an outer cylindrical electrode which forms the outer wall of the melt containment, an inner cylindrical electrode which protrudes upward in the containment and forms the outlet for the melt, thus, also determining the depth of the melt. A non-conducting sealing material forms a base plug between the electrodes. A cylindrical electrically conductive baffle is located between the electrodes and includes an opening which allows the melt to flow from near the outer electrode where the melt material is first inserted into the melter, to the inner electrode which is the outlet. In addition to the inner and outer electrodes, the baffle may be connected to a power supply to modify the currents flowing at each of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing, as a length of mineral insulated cable, a self-powered neutron flux detector, a lead cable therefor or both, with the detector, the lead cable or both having predetermined .gamma.-ray sensitivity in a high radiation environment, is provided wherein metal bands are provided around the detector core wire, the lead cable core wire or both, inside the sheath to control the .gamma.-ray sensitivity. The metal bands, and sleeves of a frangible insulation, are assembled in an oversize sleeve which is then reduced in diameter to pulverize the frangible sleeves, each metal band being in electrical contact with either the core wire or sheath. The metal bands incorporated in the lead cable predetermine the .gamma.-ray (and hence the dynamic response) of the lead cable, the metal bands incorporated in the detector predetermine the .gamma.-ray response (and hence the dynamic response) of the detector.

Abstract: Combustible, solid radioactive waste, such as paper, plastics, rubber, cloth and wood, are reduced in volume to an ash residue using pyrohydrolysis, a method which combines pyrolysis of the waste in a vessel at temperatures in the range of 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. and gasification of residual carbon with superheated steam. Pressures of 1.0 to 3.5 MPa are used with steam flows in the range 4 to 50 grams/second/cubic meter so that carbon containing components of the waste are removed as gaseous decomposition products in the form of carbon monoxide and hydrogen leaving an ash residue.

Abstract: A process is described for producing sulphuric acid from sulphur dioxide (SO.sub.2) wherein two fluid streams, in the form of a gaseous SO.sub.2 gas and oxygen (air), and a liquid, primary sulphuric acid and water, are contacted with each other and a catalyst assembly at a temperature in the range 150.degree. to 280.degree. C.

Abstract: The purpose of the off-axis electron gun is to generate a beam of electrons and to deflect the beam onto the axis of a device which utilizes the beam. The off-axis electron gun includes an arcuate wire electron emitting source subtending an azimuthal angle of up to 125.degree., a non-intercepting azimuthally asymmetric focussing and deflecting electrode located at and around the electron source, and an anode plate with a beam exit hole. The non-intercepting electrode has an arcuate slot subtending a predetermined angle at a predetermined radius from the beam axis in which the arcuate wire electron source is mounted in electrical isolation from the electrode. The deflecting section of the electrode is azimuthally asymmetric in shape such that when selected voltages are applied between the wire source, the focussing and deflecting sections of the non-intercepting electrode and the anode, an electric field is produced which directs the electrons towards the axis, focusses the beam and deflects it onto the axis.

Abstract: The multiple measuring control volume laser Doppler anemometer includes a laser for providing an optical beam. The beam is transformed by an optical arrangement to produce a number V of measuring control volumes wherein each control volume has two focussed optical beams intersecting at a unique predetermined angle .phi.. A detector collects the scattered light from the measuring control volumes in order to determine the velocity at each of the control volumes.

Abstract: A crystalline, silica platinum catalyst structure is provided by soaking a hydrophobic, high surface area, crystalline silica (SiO.sub.2) lattice essentially free of aluminum oxide in the SiO.sub.2 lattice, such as silicalite in an aqueous solution of Pt(NH.sub.3).sub.4 Cl.sub.2 and then, drying, reducing and cooling the crystalline silica to leave, catalyst crystallites of platinum on the crystalline silica and in the pores thereof, and then providing an outer, porous, membrane coating of high molecular weight, organic polytetrafluoroethylene, polymeric material on the coated crystallites. The platinized, crystalline silica may be slurried with, polytetrafluoroethylene and a ceramic support coated with the slurry, so that a water repellent, water vapor and hydrogen or oxygen gas permeable, polytetrafluoroethylene matrix is provided on the support with the platinized, crystalline silica dispersed in the matrix.

Abstract: Hydrogen isotope (e.g. deuterium) exchange from liquid water to a gaseous halohydrocarbon (e.g. fluoroform, CF.sub.3 H--CF.sub.3 D) is obtained at an operating temperature in the range 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. using a catalytically active mass comprising a porous anion exchange resin in the hydroxide ion form and enriched gaseous halohydrocarbon stream is decomposed by isotope selective photo-decomposition into a first, gaseous stream enriched in the hydrogen isotope, which is removed as a product, and a depleted gaseous halohydrocarbon stream, which is recirculated for enrichment again. The catalytically active mass may, for example, be in the form of resin particles suspended in a fluidized bed or packed as resin particles between sheets wound into a roll. One of the sheets may be corrugated and have open interstices to form a packing in a column which permits countercurrent gas and liquid flow past the resin. Preferably the wound sheets are hydrophilic to retard flooding by the liquid water.