Abstract: An automated system for determining positions of a plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies organized in an array within a housing of a nuclear power plant includes a radiation hardened, underwater camera for inputting images of the nuclear fuel assemblies with respect to each other or with respect to a baffle wall of a nuclear reactor core, a digital signal processor for generating a second digitized image including a plurality of pixel elements of the nuclear fuel assemblies from the first image, and a workstation for determining the positions of the nuclear fuel assemblies with respect to the baffle wall from counts of the pixel elements.

Abstract: A motor-generator set stator core includes a plurality of flat thin annular winding support plates, a pair of improved annular end plates, and a plurality of elongated flat attachment members for retaining the end plates and support plates assembled together. The improved annular end plates have substantially right triangular configurations in cross-section which are the reverse or a mirror image of one another. At hypotenuses of the right triangular cross-sections of the end plates are inner surfaces which have tapered or conical configurations that are the reverse of one another so as to conform to the outside tapered profile of the end turns of the stator windings. At short sides of the right triangular cross-sections of the end plates are radial planar surfaces which engage the opposite outer side portions of the stacked support plates.

Abstract: For monitoring an environmental parameter such as the level of nuclear radiation, at distributed sites, bar coded sample collectors are deployed and their codes are read using a portable data entry unit that also records the time of deployment. The time and collector identity are cross referenced in memory in the portable unit. Similarly, when later recovering the collector for testing, the code is again read and the time of collection is stored as indexed to the sample collector, or to a further bar code, for example as provided on a container for the sample. The identity of the operator can also be encoded and stored. After deploying and/or recovering the sample collectors, the data is transmitted to a base processor. The samples are tested, preferably using a test unit coupled to the base processor, and again the time is recorded.

Abstract: A process of depositing layers of weld metal onto a ferrous NiMoV low alloy steel turbine component. During a deposition of a first layer of weld metal, low levels of amperage are used to prevent a dramatic increase in a level of hardness of a heat affected zone produced during the deposition of the first layer of weld metal. During a deposition of a second layer of weld metal, higher levels of amperage are used to temper the heat affected zone but not high enough to overtemper the HAZ.

Abstract: An apparatus, which reinforces a shroud that is contained within a reactor vessel, is operable for reinforcement of the shroud in the event of cracking in the shroud. The apparatus comprises a reactor wall positioned surrounding the shroud. A beam is attached to and extends generally axially on the shroud for absorbing the forces generated by the cracking in the shroud, and a radial support is positioned between the beam and the wall of the reactor vessel for transmitting any forces absorbed by the beam to the wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a wall portion from a wall of a tubular member. The wall portion has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The wall portion is connected to the wall of the tubular member by a pair of ligatures, which remain after use of a suitable cutting tool. The ligatures are aligned and disposed on either side of the wall portion to define a pivot axis. The apparatus has a probe body insertable into the tubular member, which probe body includes an expandable bladder for pushing the distal end portion of the wall portion in order to pivot the wall portion about the ligatures (i.e., about the pivot axis) as the bladder expands. As the wall portion pivots, the distal end portion of the wall portion rotates outwardly from the wall of the tubular member as the proximal end portion of the wall portion rotates inwardly into the tubular member. A movable elongate mandrel engages the proximal end portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: An I.D. pipe clamp used for holding the ends of two pipes during welding, and having a means for inspecting the inside diameter of the root pass of the weld without removal of the pipe clamp or breaking of the purge gas seal. The pipe clamp has a frame with two clamping mechanisms for locking the clamp in position within the pipe ends. A means for inspecting, such as a video camera or other nondestructive testing device, is mounted on the pipe clamp between the two clamping mechanisms. Gas purge dams are located proximate each clamping mechanism to facilitate the creation of an inert gas purge in the region of the weld joint. The means for inspecting is operated to inspect the root pass of the weld prior to breaking the gas purge and prior to removal of the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp may also support a means for dressing of the weld I.D., such as a brush or a grinding tool, along with a vacuum line for removal of debris created during operation of the means for dressing.

Abstract: A gas turbine power plant in which a mixture of steam and compressed air, the mixture being primarily steam, is used to cool the rotating blades and stationary vanes in the turbine section. The air is bled from the compressor. The flow rate of steam that is mixed into the compressed air is adjusted so to maintain the pressure drop experienced by the compressed air as it flows to the turbine within a predetermined range. Consequently, the steam and air mixture has the same volumetric flow rate as if compressed air alone were being used. Thus, any sudden decrease in steam flow rate will automatically result in an offsetting increase in the flow of compressed air due to the decrease in the line pressure in the common line through which the air and steam flow to the turbine. Consequently, no control, isolation or check valves are utilized in the compressed air piping.

Abstract: A carrier tracking loop that uses a frequency locked loop (FLL) and incorporates synchronized matched filters to minimize complexity of the system. The synchronized matched filters eliminate out-of-band interference while minimizing computation. The carrier tracking loop has an improved error signal generation to extend a frequency range and by employing error signal normalization, which extends the dynamic range of the amplitude of the input signal and allows the frequency to flywheel when signal fading occurs.

Abstract: A debris box, for use with a search and retrieval device for searching and retrieving a plurality of foreign objects within a heat exchanger, includes a holder mechanism, such as a container, for containing the foreign objects which are retrieved by the search and retrieval device within the heat exchanger; and an insertion mechanism, such as a snake, for inserting the holder mechanism into the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell generator apparatus and method of its operation involves: passing pressurized oxidant gas, (O) and pressurized fuel gas, (F), into fuel cell modules, (10 and 12), containing fuel cells, where the modules are each enclosed by a module housing (18), surrounded by an axially elongated pressure vessel (64), where there is a purge gas volume, (62), between the module housing and pressure vessel; passing pressurized purge gas, (P), through the purge gas volume, (62), to dilute any unreacted fuel gas from the modules; and passing exhaust gas, (82), and circulated purge gas and any unreacted fuel gas out of the pressure vessel; where the fuel cell generator apparatus is transpatable when the pressure vessel (64) is horizontally disposed, providing a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A magnetic filter filters substantially all of the harmonic frequency currents from a plural-phase power circuit. The power circuit may have three power lines which conduct three currents in a first current set and three power lines which conduct three currents in a second current set. The second current set is displaced from the first current set by a predetermined phase shift. The current sets have a fundamental frequency and a plurality of harmonic frequencies of the fundamental frequency. The magnetic filter may include two transformers each of which has three windings. A first transformer may receive two currents from the first current set and one current from the second current set. A second transformer may receive one current from the first current set and two currents from the second current set. The magnetic filter may also include a phase-shifting coupling transformer having six input phases for receiving the six currents.

Abstract: A steam turbine having improved stationary parts in which a moisture removal slot is formed in a blade ring cylinder immediately upstream of the last row of rotating blades. The slot has a reduced width inlet throat portion and an enlarged manifold portion. The manifold portion of the slot distributes the moisture collected to a plurality of radially oriented discharge holes formed in the blade ring. The inlet throat serves to insolate the manifold from the swirling steam flowing through the turbine, thereby preventing entrainment of the moisture droplets into the steam flow. The blade ring encircles the tips of the last row of rotating blades and the outer flow guide is integrally formed on the blade ring. The steam turbine also has a new inner flow guide that matches a new last row of rotating blades. The new inner flow guide is attached to the existing inner flow guide by welds.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine in which variations in power requirements are accomplished by varying the rate of steam injection into the combustor while maintaining the temperature of the fluid flowing to the turbine at a constant value. The steam injection flow rate is varied by varying the pressure in the evaporator of a HRSG that receives exhaust gas from the turbine. Preferably, the flow area of the turbine is increased so as to allow the use of especially high rates of steam injection.

Abstract: A method for compensating a rod position indication system for non-linearity comprises the steps of applying an excitation current to a primary of a sensor for inducing a generally linear voltage that is representative of the position of a control rod on a secondary of the sensor. The excitation current includes a first frequency which is sufficient to provide the generally linear output for the sensor. The excitation current is then modified to include a second frequency which is sufficient for providing the generally linear output when the first frequency is insufficient to provide the generally linear output.

Abstract: A gas turbine power plant having a heat recovery steam generator that generates steam at high and low pressures. The high pressure steam, which is superheated, is partially expanded in a steam turbine, thereby producing shaft power. All of the partially expanded steam is then combined with low pressure steam. The combined steam flow is superheated and then injected into the combustor of the gas turbine to increase power output and reduce NOx.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diametral extensometer device useful for measuring diametral changes in a valve stem caused by axial loads on the valve stem used in a motor operated valve assembly. The device is useful in the field of valve diagnostics. The diametral extensometer is comprised of a semi-circular clamp member spaced from and partially surrounding the outer periphery of the valve stem. The clamp member has a reference pad that is adjustable radially with respect to the valve stem and a sensor pad having a sensor capable of measuring diametral changes in the valve stem and generating an electrical signal indicative of those changes. A stabilizer pad provides stability to the clamp member during installation of the clamp member and during movements of the valve stem. Non-stick surfaces are provided for smooth operation, and point contact with the valve stem eliminates errors associated with rocking of the traditional V-groove contacts.

Abstract: A process for removing liquid from depleted ion exchange bead resin includes the steps of: transferring a slurry containing at least 10 volume % of contaminated ion exchange resin beads from storage (10) having a particle size range from 300 micrometers to 1000 micrometers to a blending tank (14) to provide a homogeneous slurry which is fed to a grinder (16) usually by means of pumps (13 and 17), where the beads are fractured, and reduced in size, where no more than 33% of the fractured beads have a relatively similar diameter, allowing subsequent random packing compression; and then passing the processed slurry to a dewatering system (18) where it is separated into liquid (20) and highly compressible waste (22).

Abstract: A borated aqueous solution from a nuclear reactor coolant system dilute chemical-decontamination process or from an equipment washing process which has been contaminated with radioactive metals or heavy metals including cobalt, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, lead or mercury and with a chelating agent, detergent or soap is treated with an oxidizing agent to oxidize the chelating agent, detergent or soap and to precipitate the contaminant metals. The contaminant metals are then separated from the solution by centrifugal filtration, micromembrane belt filtration or magnetic separation. Advantageously, a very small volume of precipitate may then be buried and the decontaminated solution may be recycled or further treated and released for other uses.

Abstract: An apparatus for causing a portion of the compressed air from the compressor section of a gas turbine to bypass the combustor. The apparatus comprises a clamping ring and a rotating ring. The clamping ring joins the aft end of the combustor to the front end of a duct that directs the hot gas from the combustor to the turbine section. The rotating ring encircles the clamping ring. When the rotating ring is rotated into a first position, ports disposed in the rotating ring are aligned with ports in the clamping ring so that air can flow into the hot gas flowing between the combustor and the duct. However, the ports in the rotating ring are completely blocked by the clamping ring when the rotating ring is rotated into a second position and partially blocked when the rotating ring is rotated into intermediate positions. An actuating ring that encircles the combustion chamber controls the rotation of the rotating ring by means of an actuating rod that extends into the shell.