Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly having an improved top nozzle subassembly with a hold-down device incorporated therewithin to prevent the force of the upward coolant flow from lifting the fuel assembly into damaging contact with the upper core support plate, while allowing for changes in fuel assembly length due to core-induced thermal expansion. The construction of the fuel assembly is such that its top surface can be placed in direct contact with the upper core plate. Thermal expansion of the components of the fuel assembly in the upward direction are accommodated within the top nozzle subassembly.

Abstract: A high power non-transferred electric arc heater utilizing interelectrode segments which create a stepped arc chamber intermediate two hollow, substantially cylindrical, axially spaced electrodes. Gas to be heated is admitted upstream of the arc chamber and between adjacent segments. Gas is used to form a cold boundary layer about the expanding core of arc-heater gas. Additional secondary gas inlets adjacent the electrode provide fluid dynamic means for arc positioning on the electrode segments. Gas pressures of less than or in the range of about 1 atmosphere to about 50 atmospheres are used with power levels of about 10 MW being possible. The stepped arc chamber facilitates arc transfer to the downstream electrodes and allows a larger diameter for the arc heated gas while the boundary layer of gas maintaining comparable spacing along the length of the arc-heated gas and the surface of the arc chamber reducing the rate of heat transfer from the arc heated gas to the segments of the arc heater.

Abstract: The invention provides a thin film electroluminescent line array emitter structure which provides edge emissions which are typically 30 to 40 times brighter than the conventional face emissions. In an alternative embodiment, the emitter structure includes an integral capacitor in series with each emitter structure pixel. This integral thin film structure dielectric and phosphor composite layer serves both as the light-emitting layer for the edge-emitting device and as the dielectric for the capacitor.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of dissolved oxygen in the aqueous medium from a steam generator system that results from air leakage into the system above the water level in a condensor hotwell and that which results from air leakage below the water level in the condensor. Intentional injection of air above water level and intentional injection of air below water level are effected and resultant dissolved oxygen contents measured. The air leakage rate and dissolved oxygen contents at steady state operation are also measured. From these measurements, the amount of dissolved oxygen resulting from above and below water level are determined mathematically or graphically.

Abstract: A machine manipulates a laser beam substantially transversely across a moving sheet of flat or curved material. This machine includes a rotating optical system which focuses and moves an elongate beam spot across the moving sheet of flat or curved material, at a high rate of speed. In methods of applying these instruments to produce reductions in watt loss in coated ferromagnetic sheet without damage to the coating, the speed of laser scanning, S.sub.2 (inches/minutes), and the incident power, P (watts), of the beam are selected such that the function, PS.sub.2.sup.-1/2 is between about 0.1 to about 7.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided with a cartridge-type switch for commutating current from a high current source to a pair of generally parallel conductive rails. A conductive cartridge switch in sliding electrical contact with the rails at the breech end includes a pressure chamber and aperture for receiving a projectile. An increase in pressure in the pressure chamber forces the projectile forward while forcing the cartridge rearward. Current is commutated from the cartridge to a conductive armature which subsequently propels a projectile along the conductive rails.

Abstract: There is provided a current limiting fuse having a uniform and supported element with arc voltage controlling and shaping capabilities that can withstand high mechanical and electrical stress.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining dimensions which comprises a measuring module and several gage extenders which can be used either alone or in combination with gaging blocks. The measuring module includes a drum member rotatably mounted on a support and at least one measuring member operably associated with the drum member. At least one end of the measuring member extends from the drum such that for rotational movement of the drum member in a first direction the free end of the measuring member is drawn up onto the drum and for rotational movement in a second direction the free end of the measuring member is played out from the drum member. The drum is rotated at a constant torque and the rotational movement of the drum is transmitted to a rotational position transducer. The rotational position transducer provides an output signal which is used in part to generate an electronic readout reflective of the movement of the measuring member.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure incorporating the edge of silicon island as a surface for diffusing impurities is described to form the drain and source of an MOS transistor and interconnections therebetween to form semiconductor devices such as MOS transistors, variable threshold MNOS transistors, row decoders for use in memories, memory arrays, interconnect crossovers, and high-voltage transistors. A semiconductor process is described for fabricating the above devices utilizing four or five masks.The invention overcomes the problem of high-density integrated circuits by utilizing the edges of silicon islands on an insulating substrate as well as the upper surface of the islands. In addition, contact metallizations are non-critical because of the Schottky barrier diode formed between aluminum and n-type silicon. Both n and p-type semiconductor devices are described.

Abstract: A circular array of rotatable blades formed from blades having an integral shroud with a leading planar surface and a trailing planar surface, the leading planar surface being generally parallel to an axial radial plane passing through the center of the root of the blade and the trailing planar surface, if extended, intersecting the axial radial plane passing through the center of the root of the blade to form an angle generally equal in degrees to 360 divided by the number of blades forming the circular array.

Abstract: A voice-controlled elevator security system. Access to an elevator system servicing a plurality of landings of a structure is controlled by comparing a voice signal of a potential user of the elevator system with stored voice signals of all authorized users. The comparison is accomplished by first digitizing the potential user's voice signal and comparing it, on a bit-by-bit basis, with a digital representation of the voice signals of all authorized users. Various criteria can be established for determining the number of binary bits that must agree to conclude that the potential user is an authorized user. Once this determination has been made, the authorized user can initiate car call signals for those landings to which the authorized user is permitted access.

Abstract: A computer monitored or controlled system is equipped with an interactive debugging system which enables a systems engineer to modify the system configuration in a simple manner. At any time, the systems engineer may obtain from the system a complete, understandable description of the system's present operating configuration. He may then modify any part of the system. Operation of portions of the system may be simulated, and detailed records of system and simulation operations may be automatically obtained.

Abstract: A padmounted transformer enclosure including a tank, terminal cover and sill which cooperatively define a composite structure having no pointed upper corners. The tank-terminal cover interface, and the terminal cover-sill interface, are both square, requiring no matching of curved surfaces.

Abstract: A heat curable, storage stable, insulating varnish is made by heat reacting: (A) a methoxy functional diphenyl oxide resinous material, (B) a metal halide catalyst, and (C) silicon dioxide acting as a stabilizer, after which a suitable solvent can be added to provide a solids content of from about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. %.

Abstract: The surface of a metal article which is exposed to the atmosphere and abrasion during normal use of the article is protected from scratches and/or corrosion during such use by a thin transparent abrasion-resistant film of an inert non-metallic material such as SiO.sub.2, SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, TiO.sub.2, MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, GeO.sub.2, spinel and selected colorless glass compositions. The protective film is preferably deposited by RF-sputtering techniques and undesirable coloration of the article by optical interference effects from incident light rays is avoided by properly correlating the film thickness with the refractive index of the particular material used to form the film. The invention permits the use of thinner gold plating on such items as articles of expensive jewelry and bracelets and cases for fine wristwatches without detracting from the quality, durability or appearance of the merchandise.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of an electrical connection between two vertically spaced conducting layers in an integrated circuit structure. The first conducting layer is a selected area of the semiconductive substrate which is otherwise covered with a dielectric layer. The exposed selected area of the semiconductive substrate is treated with an activation agent and a selected conductor is chemically vapor deposited upon the activated selected area of the semiconductive substrate. The selected conductor interconnect is built up in successive chemical vapor deposition steps preceded by activation treatment of the exposed top surface until the conductor interconnect is approximately equal to the thickness of the dielectric layer and has a highly planar surface upon which can be readily deposited the second conductive layer which is thus interconnected to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrodepositable emulsion which comprises a soluble un-ionized polymer containing an amic acid or amide linking group, a non-electrolyzable organic solvent for the polymer and a non-electrolyzable organic non-solvent for the polymer. The weight ratio of the solvent to the non-solvent is about 0.1 to about 0.5 and the polymer is about 0.4 to about 5% by weight of the weight of the solvent. No amine or surface active agent is used. A workpiece is coated with the polymer by placing it into the emulsion about one-half to about two inches away from the cathode. Constant dc voltage is applied between the cathode and the workpiece until a coating of a desired thickness has been deposited on the workpiece. The workpiece is then removed, dried, and cured.

Abstract: In a multiplexed and microprocessor-based data acquisition system involving temperature measurement with temperature resistor thermometer devices (RTD), automatic signal substitution for calibration is effected without physically interrupting the measurement signal path by taking three measurements between the three wires at the input and using with the microprocessor a cancellation algorithm.

Abstract: A programmable controller which generates a digital normalized diameter signal and a digital normalized reel strip velocity signal is adapted for the generation of inertia compensation either with a constant torque, a constant horsepower, or a maximum torque reel system.

Abstract: The brazing wand comprises a hollow helically wound electrically conductive tubular member for conducting an electrical current and for conducting a coolant therethrough. The electrical current is used to heat a member to be brazed while the coolant is used to control the temperature of the brazing wand. The brazing wand also comprises a flexible cable for conducting the electrical current and coolant to the heating portion of the wand.