Abstract: An internet-based content platform for providing subscription levels to channels are described. The internet-based content platform presents to an end user, a channel that includes a plurality of media items, a list of types of access to the plurality of media items, and a plurality of subscription levels associated with different subscription fees for different types of access. The channel is one of a plurality of channels of an internet-based content platform. The internet-based content platform receives a selection of one of the plurality of subscription levels for the channel. The internet-based content platform records the selected subscription level of the end user for the channel. The internet-based content platform provides a type of access to the plurality of media items of the channel for the end user according to the recorded subscription level of the end user for the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor for propelling the vehicle and at least one active aerodynamic element configured to generate a variable amount of aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also includes at least one driver input sensor configured to detect a driver input and generate a feedforward signal indicative of a desired behavior of the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a controller in communication with the at least one driver input sensor and the at least one active aerodynamic element and configured to regulate the at least one active aerodynamic element at least partially in response to the feedforward signal. A method for controlling such an active aerodynamic element and a system for controlling an aerodynamic downforce on a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer system and method for automating and facilitating the home sale, mortgage origination, and settlement process, and the home mortgage refinancing origination and settlement process, over a geographically distributed computing network are disclosed. The system and method also allows a home buyer to search for homes offered for sale by a plurality of sellers and, using the home data conforming to the buyer purchase criteria and buyer data, search for loan pricing information for loans from a plurality of lenders, loan pricing information for a plurality of loan types, or both. The system and method then uses this information to process the sale transaction.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for calculating and displaying volume to identify aggressive buying or selling activity. In a preferred embodiment, market information such as the inside market, last traded price, and last traded quantity is received from the electronic exchange and is used to assist a trader in determining the initiative side of a trade, either bid side or ask side. Once a determination is made, the result may be used to assist a trader analyzing the market volume. Other features and advantages are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided which are designed to structurally replace welds that attach a riser brace assembly to a jet pump riser pipe. The riser brace assembly may include an upper clamp assembly, a lower clamp assembly, and a plurality of mechanical fasteners to provide clamping forces to the upper clamp assembly and the lower clamp assembly. The upper clamp assembly and the lower clamp assembly sandwich a riser brace support, wherein the riser brace support is provided with at least one through-hole to accommodate the plurality of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A fuel assembly includes a bottom nozzle set on a lower core plate of a nuclear reactor, a top nozzle with a hold down spring to urge the bottom nozzle against the lower core plate, guide thimbles which guide control rods, having passed through the top nozzle, toward the lower core plate, a dashpot formed on each of the guide thimbles to reduce the fall velocity of a corresponding one of the control rods, a thimble screw which connects each of the guide thimbles to the bottom nozzle, and a drain hole formed to extend through each of the thimble screw. The dashpot has a large-diameter portion with substantially the same diameter as that of each of the guide thimbles. The diameter d of the drain hole falls within a range of 0.04 D<d<0.08 D where D is an inner diameter of the large-diameter portion.

Abstract: A two piece, two-stage, rechargeable, reusable, reduced-energy mechanically operating cartridge is provided for launching a bullet of various compositions from a dedicated or modified firearm. The cartridge unit is comprised of a primary case, a piston sleeve, a propellant unit, and a bullet choice of a solid light weight material for inanimate-target applications or a “marking” version for non-lethal live-target training applications. Cartridge includes a piston sleeve and a primary case coupled together via a channel and cog locking/traveling/unlocking system. The primary case includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive a propellant unit or propellant connection and provides the channels to receive piston sleeves cogs for a locking/traveling/unlocking feature. The piston sleeve includes a substantially non-deformable jacket defining a cavity to receive configured bullet.

Abstract: A method for providing a nuclear fuel includes forming a uranium-molybdenum alloy that provides an enhanced reactivity in research, test and radioisotope production nuclear reactors. In this uranium-molybdenum alloy, the uranium is enriched in the isotope 235-U, while the molybdenum is depleted in the isotope 95-Mo. The thus obtained enhanced reactivity can have at least two advantages, depending on the exact use of the fuel element: a requirement for less uranium in the fuel and the use of the fuel elements during a longer period in the reactor.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring rod moving coils in nuclear power system. The system ensures that these coils are each functioning properly, and thus prevent movement of the other coils when a dysfunctional coil is detected. The method for accomplishing this monitoring is to provide constant power to all of the coils and to measure the negatively induced EMF from this induction. This level of EMF is then compared to a standard EMF. When the EMF level is below a threshold limit, which may be either preset or calculated from a variety of other variables, a signal is sent to an alarm.

Abstract: A head assembly for a reactor pressure vessel includes a removable closure head, an array of control rod drive mechanisms, a seismic support platform, a missile shield assembly and a cooling system for drawing atmospheric air across electromagnetic coil stack assemblies. The cooling system includes: a lower shroud surrounding the coil stack assemblies with an end open to the atmosphere around the CRDMs; a plurality of extending internal ducts disposed within the array of CRDMs upwardly to an upper plenum disposed above the seismic support platform and a plurality of fan assemblies disposed on the upper plenum. The missile shield is disposed within the upper plenum. The cooling system effectively cools the coil stack assemblies during fuel cycles and does not hinder access to the CRDMs during an outage. The head assembly has lift legs for transporting either the entire head assembly as an integral unit or the structure above the seismic support platform a subassembly.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fuel assembly grid that includes providing a plurality of interconnected straps that form a lattice pattern, wherein the lattice pattern of the straps defines a plurality of cells, providing a sleeve that has a cylindrical portion and a flared portion, and inserting the sleeve into at least one of the cells. When inserted, at least a portion of the cylindrical portion of the sleeve will reside inside the cell and the flared portion will extend above the top end of the cell and overhang the perimeter of the cell. The flared portion is melted and flows over and fuses to the straps that define the cell. The straps may include weld tabs over which the melted material flows and to which it fuses. The melting and fusing steps also preferably cause any loose straps surrounding the cell to become attached to the sleeve.

Abstract: Firing-readiness diagnostics in an electronic pyrotechnic device such as an electronic detonator or an electronic blasting system thereof. The diagnostics may include a check for any incompatible attached devices, a resistance or continuity check of an ignition element, and/or a capacitance check of a firing capacitor.

Abstract: Selective, staggered charging of individual slave devices in a system at different times, such as electronic detonators in an electronic blasting system, so as to prevent excessive voltage drop on the bus. The staggered charging may be obtained through a clock-driven charging timing process or other suitable means.

Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses of pulse energy of from 0.9 Joules to 10 Joules which generate a series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses.

Abstract: Migration of radioactive materials from a pressure vessel to a steam system in a nuclear power plant is suppressed by using a dryer (3) provided with corrugated plates (22) having surfaces coated with an inorganic ion-exchange material stable under a condition in which high-temperature water exist, such as TiO2.

Abstract: An ion source has an extraction system configured to produce ultra-short ion pulses, i.e. pulses with pulse width of about 1 ?s or less, and a neutron source based on the ion source produces correspondingly ultra-short neutron pulses. To form a neutron source, a neutron generating target is positioned to receive an accelerated extracted ion beam from the ion source. To produce the ultra-short ion or neutron pulses, the apertures in the extraction system of the ion source are suitably sized to prevent ion leakage, the electrodes are suitably spaced, and the extraction voltage is controlled. The ion beam current leaving the source is regulated by applying ultra-short voltage pulses of a suitable voltage on the extraction electrode.

Abstract: A land mine pressure fuse avoidance system has a base. A tread on the base contacts the ground around a land mine and independently distributes pressures around the ground. The tread has plural independent closed cell foam rubber elements. Each element is separated from adjacent elements for independently supporting only a portion of a load on the base, while other similarly independent elements support remaining portion of the load. The base is a cylindrical tire, a continuous track, a shoe sole attachment or a robotic foot, and the tread is conformed to and extends outward from the base. The independent elements of the tread are made of closed cell foam rubber formed as a tread on the base with notches between adjacent elements of the tread. Notches extend longitudinally along the tread, and notches extend across the tread, forming block shaped elements extending from the base.

Abstract: A gun support for hunters having interchageable features is provided. The gun support includes a support rod having a proximal end and a distal end. A cradle is removably attached to the proximal end of the support rod. The cradle includes a base, a first fork pending from a first side of the base, a second fork pending from a second side of the base, and a retaining device disposed on the first and second fork. A biasing strap is removably attached to the retaining device on at least one of the first fork and second fork. The biasing strap is configured for retaining a gun barrel between the strap and the base of the cradle for steadying the gun of a hunter.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator with enclosed on-board control circuitry, and a mating connector therefor.

Abstract: A support plate for retaining tube array spacing within a heat exchanger tube and shell structure. The support plate having a plurality of individual tube receiving apertures formed therein. Each aperture has at least three inwardly protruding members and bights are formed therebetween when the tube associated therewith is lodged in place to establish secondary fluid flow through the support plate. The inwardly protruding members terminate in flat lands that restrain but do not all contact the outer surface of the respective tube. These flat lands minimize fretting wear and eliminate potential gouging of the outer wall of the tube. The plate wall forming each aperture has an hourglass configuration which, inter alia, reduces pressure drop, turbulence and local deposition of magnetite and other particulates on the support plates.