Abstract: A radar test system for producing multiple delayed replicas of a radio frequency radar signal is provided. A laser diode is adapted to receive the radar signal and generate a modulated optical wave signal carrying the radar signal. The modulated optical wave signal passes through a fiber optic delay line. The delayed optical wave signal engages a partially transmissive and reflective assembly wherein a first portion of the optical wave signal is transmitted therethrough and a second portion is reflected back to the laser diode. That portion of the optical wave signal reflected back to the laser diode is amplified therein and subsequently regenerated. The signal transmitted through the partially transmissive and reflective assembly is demodulated to extract the optical wave leaving only the radar signal. In this manner, a series of multiple echoes of the radar signal is produced.

Abstract: A control room 10 for a nuclear plant is disclosed. In the control room, objects 12, 20, 22, 26, 30 are no less than four inches from walls 10.2. A ceiling 32 contains cooling fins 35 that extend downwards toward the floor from metal plates 34. A concrete slab 33 is poured over the plates. Studs 36 are welded to the plates and are encased in the concrete.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor steam generator includes a reactor vessel for heating water and a steam generator with a pump casing at the lowest point on the steam generator. A cold-leg pipe extends horizontally between the steam generator and the reactor vessel to return water from the steam generator to the reactor vessel. The bottom of the cold-leg pipe is at a first height above the bottom of the reactor vessel. A hot-leg pipe with one end connected to the steam generator and a second end connected to the reactor vessel has a first pipe region extending downwardly from the steam generator to a location between the steam generator and the reactor vessel at which a bottom of the hot-leg pipe is at a second height above the bottom of the reactor vessel. A second region extends from that location in a horizontal direction at the second height to the point at which the hot-leg pipe connects to the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Technetium-contaminated nickel is decontaminated by electrolytically dissolving nickel having a gross beta activity of at least about 74 Bq in a sulfuric acid solution having a pH between about 0.5 and 2.0. The applied voltage is from 2.0 v/cell to 5.0 v/cell for dissolving the nickel and contaminants while cathodically producing hydrogen gas. Technetium (+4) species in the acid solution is oxidized to the technetium (+7) species. The pH of the technetium-containing acid solution is adjusted to between 2.5 to 4.5. Particulates in the acid solution are filtered from the solution for reducing the gross beta activity of the acid solution to less than about 50 Bq/gm. Radioactive ions (including technetium complexes) are sorbed in an anionic exchanger and a cationic exchanger for reducing the gross beta activity of the acid solution to less than about 20 Bq/gm. After verifying the gross beta activity of the acid solution, the acid solution is either recycled or charged to a electrowinning step.

Abstract: A dancer pulley assembly includes a first horizontal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a swing arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the first horizontal plate on the lower surface thereof and being pivotal about a vertical pivot axis A, a second horizontal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and being spaced vertically above the first horizontal plate by at least one vertical support, a pulley shaft having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being mounted on a distal end of the swing arm and extending upwardly through an arcuate opening formed in the first horizontal plate, a dancer pulley rotatably mounted on the pulley shaft between the first and second horizontal plates for rotation about a vertical rotation axis B and being swingable on the swing arm through an arc defined by a distance between the pivot axis A and the rotation axis B, means for guiding the upper end of the pulley shaft during swinging motion of the dancer pulley, and means for adjusting th

Abstract: Segmented instrumentation tube including a locking sleeve for interlocking the segments of the instrumentation tube, so that the threaded ends of the instrumentation tube do not unthread when subjected to vibration, such an instrumentation tube being suitable for use in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The instrumentation tube has a first member having a threaded end portion that has a plurality of first holes circumferentially around the outside surface thereof. The instrumentation tube also has a second member having a threaded end portion that has a plurality of second holes circumferentially around the outside surface thereof. The threads of the second member are caused to threadably engage the threads of the first member for defining a threaded joint therebetween. A sleeve having an inside surface surrounds the end portion of the first member and the end portion of the second member and thus surrounds the threaded joint.

Abstract: A method for processing electrical signals includes the steps of: storing a plurality of first digital data signals each representative of an instantaneous amplitude of a first input signal in a memory; selecting one of the first digital data signals in response to a second input signal; combining the selected one of the first digital data signals with a second digital data signal representative of a subsequent instantaneous amplitude of the first input signal, to produce a digital difference signal; producing a first output signal in response to the digital difference signal; and combining the digital difference signal and the selected first digital data signal to produce a modified digital data signal and for replacing the selected one of the first digital data signals with the modified digital data signal in the memory. The method can be performed by an equalizer in a circuit for compensating for amplitude variations in a radio frequency signal or by a comb notch filter.

Abstract: A topping combustor is provided for a gas turbine power plant in which the combustion air from the compressor section of the gas turbine is heated in an indirect heat exchanger disposed in a solid fuel fired furnace. The compressed air from the compressor section flows through an annular passage enclosing the combustor inner shell on its way to the furnace, thereby cooling the inner shell. A burner comprised of a fuel distributor plate assembly having a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted therein is disposed in the inner vessel. Further compressed and cooled air from the compressor section flows through the plate assembly and mixes with a conventional fuel supplied to the fuel nozzles. A plurality of holes are formed in the plate assembly which distribute the combustion air around the nozzles. The high combustion air temperature and low gas velocity downstream of the plate assembly allow stable combustion to occur at ultra-lean fuel/air ratios, thereby minimizing the formation of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A multiple-pole ground fault interrupter, enclosed in an insulated housing, formed with multiple compartments, includes ground fault detection circuitry for detecting ground fault current that can be a personnel hazard. The ground fault interrupter includes a single trip solenoid assembly having multiple windings, each winding corresponding to one of the poles. The trip solenoid is mounted on a printed circuit board and electrically connected to the ground fault detection circuitry disposed thereon. The printed circuit board together with the trip solenoid assembly is disposed in a single compartment which reduces the amount of interconnection wiring between compartments, which, in turn, results in a reduced cost to manufacture the device. The use of a single trip solenoid assembly also results in the use of less components which further reduces the cost of manufacturing the device.

Abstract: A test specimen for evaluating crack propagation and associated wear and corrosion on cladded piping is provided. The test specimen simulates the hairline crack conditions found on the inner cladding layer of a piping system. The test specimen is useful in analyzing the effects that a certain process fluid has on an exposed cracked cladding layer surface.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having current limiting capabilities is dimensionally optimized for relatively smaller frame size circuit breakers. The handle yoke is supported with rollers thereby allowing the crossbar to be disposed in the space normally utilized for the handle yoke pivot axis. A clinch joint arcer assembly with a plurality of arcing contact arms, each pivotally connected by a clinch joint to a pivotally mounted main contact arm permits additional main contact arms to be provided in the same space normally occupied by the arcing contact arms alone. Additionally, arcing contact spring housings protect the arcing contact springs from deterioration due to corrosive ionizing gases generated during interruption. A positive off link assembly prevents the operating handle from being placed on an OFF position when the main contacts are welded together and transfers the force applied to the operating handle to the upper link to allow the weld to be broken.

Abstract: A valve stem stress measuring instrument is provided for measuring axial thrust developed on a valve operating system. In a quarter turn valve, or a butterfly, a valve stem stress instrument comprises a pair of load sensing assemblies which are disposed on either end of the valve housing. One load sensing assembly is attached to the stop nut end of the valve housing and a second load sensing assembly is installed on the drive end portion of the housing. Load cells are disposed between the worm shaft and a fixed engagement area rigidly attached to the worm shaft housing. With the worm shaft captured between each of the load sensing assemblies, reaction thrust or stem stress can be determined on the shaft in both the open and closed positions. After calibration, the present invention provides means for determining stem torsional stress values for a butterfly valve over its full stroke, such that the valve can be tested under actual operating conditions.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell generator has a plenum containing at least two rows of spaced apart, annular, axially elongated fuel cells. An electrical conductor extending between adjacent rows of fuel cells connects the fuel cells of one row in parallel with each other and in series with the fuel cells of the adjacent row.

Abstract: An office space dividing panel, and method of assembling same, wherein first and second rectangular fabric pieces are applied to first and second major flat faces, respectively, of a rectangular frame. The rectangular frame has a perimetrical edge which defines first and second peripheral grooves. Outer edges of the first and second fabric pieces are firmly held in the first and second peripheral grooves by a pressure sensitive adhesive, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is applied to the grooves in a foamed, heated state. Each fabric piece is tensioned in the directions of the length and width of the fabric piece while the fabric is pressed into an adhesive coated peripheral groove, with sufficient pressure being applied during the pressing step to immediately set the adhesive and bond the fabric piece to the frame while retaining the applied tension in the fabric piece.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an axial flow turbomachine is provided having a diffuser that directs the flow of working fluid from a turbine exit to an exhaust housing having a bottom opening, thereby turning the flow 90.degree. from the axial to radial direction. In the exhaust housing, the flow exiting at the top of the diffuser turns 180.degree. from the vertically upward direction to the downward direction. The strength of the vortex formed in the exhaust housing as a result of this turning is minimized by orienting the outlet of an outer exhaust flow guide portion of the diffuser so that it lies in a plane that makes an angle with a plane perpendicular to the turbine axis. As a result, the minimum axial length of the outer flow guide occurs at a location remote from the exhaust housing outlet and the maximum axial length occurs at a location proximate the opening, thereby crowding the vortex against a radially extending baffle in the exhaust housing.