Abstract: A switching circuit that includes two parallel connected switching transistors. A primary winding of a transformer is connected across the drain electrodes of each of the switching transistors and a secondary winding of the transition transformer is connected to the gate electrodes of the transistor. A capacitor is connected in series with the primary winding to isolate the primary winding from the switching circuit when in a steady state operation. The secondary winding shorts the commonly connected gate electrodes in the steady state condition. The differential in voltage between the drain electrodes is used to activate the primary winding of the transformer which induces a correction voltage in the secondary winding to cause the transistors to operate at the same rate.

Abstract: A method for demodulating the carrier signal of powerline communication networks. The method involves demodulating an HDLC data body that had been modulated through differential phase shift keyed modulation. Under the method, the data body is split with data input into a single bit digital delay circuit which outputs a delayed or "previous" binary data bit. A "present" binary data bit is input to one input of an XNOR circuit and the previous binary data bit is input into a second input of the XNOR circuit. When the present binary data bit and the previous binary data bit have unlike phases the XNOR circuit outputs a first binary data bit value. When the present binary data bit and the previous binary data bit have like phases, the XNOR circuit outputs a second binary data bit value. Preferably, the demodulated data is input into a post detection filter.

Abstract: The present invention is a translation system that translates a definition of a prototyped programmable device defined in a programmable device specification into a generic behavioral model of the device and into lists of logic blocks and connections for implementing the device as a non-programmable device in an application specific target technology. The lists and behavioral models are used to create command files that drive logic synthesis and network connection list processing operations to generate a generic list of logic and network connections. The generic list and commands are used to create device test vectors for testing the behavior of the model and the target device design. The target technology lists and command files are processed to reduce redundant logic and are mapped into logic blocks and connection lists in the target technology. The operation of the target technology design is simulated using the target logic blocks and connections and the test vectors.

Abstract: System and method for in situ testing of the leak-tightness of a tubular member, which tubular member may be a nuclear steam generator heat transfer tube. The system includes a mandrel insertable into the tube, the mandrel having a pair of spaced-apart expandable bladders surrounding the mandrel. A first channel extends through the mandrel and is in communication with the bladders. A fluid supply circuit is in fluid communication with the first channel for supplying pressurized liquid to the bladders so that the bladders radially expand into sealing engagement with the inner diameter of the tube. As the bladders expand into sealing engagement with the tube, a sealed annular chamber is defined therebetween bounded by the bladders and the inner diameter of the tube.

Abstract: A method for segregating fines from the clean coarse fraction of the soil, preparing the contaminated fines for subsequent processing, and then separating the contaminants from the clean fines. The process produces a small, highly concentrated contaminanth fraction and a large fraction of clean soil. Metals, metallic compounds, and/or radioactive contaminants are removed from the fine fraction using either gravity separation, multistage gravity separation, a centrifugal jig, regular magnetic or paramagnetic separation using a high gradient magnetic separator, and/or a superconducting separator. Preparation of the fines requires selective segregation of the targeted particles size range and the removal of interfering soil fractions, and vegetation such as root hairs. This preparation is accomplished by a combination of attrition scrubbing, countercurrent jigging, and screening.

Abstract: A time delay-phase shift combination beamformer for applications where the required time delays for time delaying the received signal to achieve coherency exceed the reciprocal of the incoming signal's bandwidth, and having a time delay stage for coarse beamforming at a particular range and first beam direction and a phase shift stage for fine beam steering in a second direction at the particular range.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly is provided which comprises a rotor which is rotatable about a turbine axis of rotation and a plurality of turbine blades supported by the rotor where each of the turbine blades has a root and the rotor is provided with a plurality of grooves which terminate in a projection. Each groove is shaped for holding each root in a manner such that the root and the groove have mutually contacting surfaces which apply a radially inwardly directed restraining force to the root. The root has a bottom facing the turbine axis and the groove has a base which is located radially inwardly of, and faces, the root bottom. Positioned between the root bottom and the groove base is a lock strip and disc spring assembly for pressing together the mutually contacting surfaces of the root and the groove.

Abstract: A gas turbine system in which the expanded gas from the turbine section is used to generate the steam in a heat recovery steam generator and to heat a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel and the steam in a reformer. The reformer converts the hydrocarbon gas to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for combustion in a combustor. A portion of the steam from the heat recovery steam generator is used to cool components, such as the stationary vanes, in the turbine section, thereby superheating the steam. The superheated steam is mixed into the hydrocarbon gas upstream of the reformer, thereby eliminating the need to raise the temperature of the expanded gas discharged from the turbine section in order to achieve effective conversion of the hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for machining the annular valve seats of a gate valve has a cradle which slides on and wedges outward against the confronting gate guide rails in the valve chamber to lock the cradle in place between the valve seats. A large gear is mounted on one side of the cradle for rotation by a hydraulic motor about an axis generally aligned with the axis of the facing valve seat through adjustment of a pair of leveling screws. A carriage is driven axially on guide rods projecting from the gear adjacent the periphery thereof by a servo motor mounted in the plane of the gear. A tool carrier is reciprocated radially on slides on the carriage by a lead screw motor mounted on the carriage. When machining of one valve face is completed, the cradle is unlocked, lifted off the guide rails, rotated 180.degree. about a vertical axis and reinstalled on the guide rails for machining of the other valve seat.

Abstract: A bipolar silver-iron plate is provided in which both the silver electrode and iron electrode are fully charged upon fabrication. The iron electrode may be formed in a standard manner. The silver anode is formed by applying a paste formed from polyvinyl alcohol, water and silver oxide powder to a fiber grid provided on the anodic side of the bipolar plate. When dried, the paste forms a silver oxide electrode which is fully charged. If desired, the iron electrode can be formed in the same manner. When so formed, potassium hydroxide should be added to the polyvinyl alcohol water solution to prevent oxidation of iron powder. The silver and iron electrodes formed by this manner are malleable and can thus be fabricated into a multi-ply sheet and rolled around a cylindrical core to form a jelly-roll battery.