Abstract: The present invention provides a preformed insulating layer having a flat web of metal foil having a plurality of spaced generally X-shaped protuberances deformed from the web. Each protuberance has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a height dimension, the length dimension and the width dimension define a ratio of from 1:1 to 4:1. A uniform gap is left around each protuberance and is from about ?? to about ½?.

Abstract: An insulation system has an insulation. A metal jacket is disposed about the insulation. The metal jacket has opposing free ends. A circumferential retaining band is disposed about the metal jacket and has a longitudinal length substantially less than a corresponding length of the metal jacket. The circumferential retaining band has a coupler joining a first end of the circumferential retaining band to an opposing second end of the circumferential retaining band and a clip spaced from the coupler along a radially inner surface of the retaining band. The clip is adapted to secure the opposing free ends of the metal jacket.

Abstract: A high capacity suction strainer for a nuclear reactor has a frame, a flow-through plenum, and a filter array. The flow-through plenum is mechanically mounted to the frame and has a plurality of inlets and an outlet. The filter array is also mechanically mounted to the frame and has a plurality of filter groupings in fluid communication with the inlet on the plenum.

Abstract: A high capacity suction strainer for a nuclear reactor has a frame, a flow-through plenum, and a filter array. The flow-through plenum is mechanically mounted to the frame and has a plurality of inlets and an outlet. The filter array is also mechanically mounted to the frame and has a plurality of filter groupings in fluid communication with the inlet on the plenum.

Abstract: An insulation system has an insulation. A metal jacket is disposed about the insulation. The metal jacket has opposing free ends. A circumferential retaining band is disposed about the metal jacket and has a longitudinal length substantially less than a corresponding length of the metal jacket. The circumferential retaining band has a coupler joining a first end of the circumferential retaining band to an opposing second end of the circumferential retaining band and a clip spaced from the coupler along a radially inner surface of the retaining band. The clip is adapted to secure the opposing free ends of the metal jacket.

Abstract: A shielded metallic reflective insulation ("SMRI") assembly (10) incorporates a plurality of distinct layers. In a first embodiment, these layers are an inner layer (30), a first supporting layer (40), an insulation layer (60), and an outer layer (70). A second embodiment further includes a second supporting or barrier layer (50) between the first supporting layer (40) and the insulation layer (60). In a third embodiment, the first inner supporting layer (40) can replace both the inner layer (30) and second supporting layer (50).

Abstract: The present invention relates a composite insulation and shielding article and a method of permanently installing the composite article onto a system to provide at least radioactive shielding. The composite shielding for permanently reducing radioactive radiation emanating from a system comprises at least one inner layer, at least one outer layer, and a shielding layer between said inner and outer layers, said shielding layer comprising a shield material that reduces said radioactive radiation.

Abstract: A silencer assembly is disclosed having at least one expansion section (20,30), tapering outwardly along the length thereof, and a silencing section (40) including a transversing bank of a plurality of parallel acoustical modules (60). Each module (60) has side walls (67) and a front and rear framing member (63,64) with a plurality of longitudinal perforated (74) internal channel member (70) surrounded by an acoustical media (80) therein.

Abstract: A waveguide filter switch, including a waveguide transmission path for electromagnetic energy. At least one series resonator filter positioned in shunt with the transmission path. At least one coupling aperture in the waveguide for coupling the at least one series resonator to the waveguide. A switching positioned across the coupling aperture and having an open state wherein the coupling aperture is electrically open to provide for coupling the series resonator to the waveguide and having a closed state wherein the coupling aperture is electrically shorted to prevent coupling of the series resonator to the waveguide. The switch including a sliding member physically located to have an open retracted position wherein the coupling aperture is physically unencumbered to produce the open state for the switch and to have a closed extended position wherein the coupling aperture is physically encumbered to produce the closed state for the switch.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a microwave switch, including, a stationary armature formed by a core positioned along a particular axis and with a coil wound around the core to form at least one electromagnet and with the polarity at the end of the core in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil upon the application of electrical energy to the coil, a rotor positioned adjacent to one end of the core and with the rotor supported for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the particular axis of the core, the rotor including a plurality of spaced permanent magnets located axially relative to the one end of the core and with the application of electrical energy to the coil providing axial excitation to produce magnetic interaction between the permanent magnets and the core and provide rotary travel of the rotor in one of two opposite directions in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil, and a stop located in the path of rotation of the rotor to engage a portion of the rotor to

Abstract: A transfer switch for providing transfer of electrical signals between pairs of connectors in an array of four connectors, including a transfer structure disposed in a particular plane and formed by a plurality of transfer paths and including an outer circumferential portion formed by three linked portions and three radial portions each extending from a central position within the circumferential portion and each radial portion extending outwardly and intersecting the circumferential portion of the juncture of two linked portions, four connectors coupled to the transfer structure and with individual connectors coupled to the transfer structure at each intersection between a radial portion and two linked portions and with an individual connector coupled to the central position, and a plurality of transfer means individually coupled to the individual transfer paths and with each transfer means including a first position for preventing transfer of electrical signals between a pair of connectors and a second posi

Abstract: A fiber optic switch for switching light energy between a plurality of fiber optic bundles, including a plurality of fiber optic connectors for transmitting light energy from individual ones of the plurality of fiber optic bundles to a plurality of individual internal fiber optic bundles, a switching structure for switching light energy between one of the individual internal bundles to individual ones of the remaining plurality of internal bundles and with the switching structure including slotted blocks and with the slots receiving and supporting the individual internal bundles in contiguous relationship, and means for providing relative movement between the slotted blocks to at least two positions for providing switching of transmitted light energy between individual ones of the internal fiber optic bundles.

Abstract: A broadband spiral antenna including a tubular member having a planar surface at one end, a planar spiral element supported on the planar surface and radiating outward from a central position on the planar surface to an edge position on the planar surface, and an array of dipole elements supported on and extending around the tubular member and coupled to the planar spiral at the edge position.

Abstract: A coplanar stripline antenna including a layer of dielectric material supporting a lower ground plane of conductive material on one side of the layer of dielectric material, a patch of conductive material on the other side of the layer of dielectric material, and an upper ground plane of conductive material on the other side of the layer of dielectric material and with the upper ground plane substantially surrounding and spaced from the patch of conductive material.Electrical signals are fed to the antenna between the patch of conductive material and the upper ground plane. A number of patches of conductive material may each be surrounded by the upper ground plane to form an antenna array and with the patches interconnected by coplanar stripline fed at a point equidistant from each patch.