Abstract: A missile or rocket detent and positive release mechanism, actuated by the rocket's thrustor, is mounted on the outside of a rocket launcher tube. A notched-end (52) of a spring-loaded lever (50) extends into the launch tube for positively locking a rocket (10) into place. One end of a sear (60) extends over the spring lever for maintaining the lever in its locked position. A toggle lever (44) is pivotally connected to the other end of the sear and extends into the blast region of the rocket, whose high speed exhaust gasses cause it to be pivoted out of the way, to withdraw the sear from the spring loaded lever, and thus to permit release of the rocket.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting ferromagnetic material such as is present in an explosive cartridge being loaded into a borehole, e.g., according to the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,430, which includes an inductance coil connected in series with a resistor, separately rectifies and amplifies the AC voltages across the coil and resistor and connects them in series opposition. The value of the balancing resistance is adjusted so that the two rectified voltages are equal and opposite when no ferromagnetic material is present. When the unbalance voltage exceeds a threshold value, a signalling device is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling molten material resulting from a nuclear reactor core meltdown is disclosed. The apparatus includes a basin positioned under the reactor which is protected against excessive heat by a star-like array of heat pipes whose evaporator sections are disposed above the pan and whose condenser sections are disposed in a heat sink exterior to the containment building of the reactor. Additionally, the vertical walls of the reactor vessel chamber are similarly protected by an array of heat pipes similarly arranged and provided to intercept the radient energy of the molten core material.

Abstract: An improved hand grenade incorporating safety features including a normally uncocked striker arm and a protective shield over the primer. Because the striker spring is normally unstressed, the major working parts of the grenade may be inexpensively made from plastics.

Abstract: A photoflash unit having a plurality of flashlamps mounted in a planar array on a printed circuit board containing circuitry for sequentially igniting the flashlamps in response to successive firing pulses applied thereto. The circuitry includes a plurality of solid state switches capable of being activated by radiant energy generated during flashing of lamps located adjacent to respective switches. Initially, each of the switches has a resistance sufficiently high to provide an open circuit to the applied firing pulses, and after being activated by radiation, the switch undergoes chemical conversion to a conductive state. The switches are prepared from compositions which include a selected proportion of silver-coated glass beads to consistently assure a predetermined low resistance after conversion and maintenance of good adherence and electrical contact with the printed circuit board circuitry.

Abstract: A smoke cup projectile charge comprising smoke cups stacked one above the other in the shell jacket in discharging direction, the smoke cup supporting components having identical strength and being filled with smoke charge composition comprising hexachloroethane, zinc oxide and metal powder, and a fuse system of priming cartridges embedded in transmission composition in the smoke charge and ignited by capillary delay tubes.

Abstract: A portable lighting system which includes a stand having an adjustable effective length which positions lights carried on a frame at a predetermined vertical position with respect to a supporting surface. The frame is releasably secured to the stand and can readily be set up and dismantled for transport in a compact space. Lights carried by the frame include a new and simple technique for attaching the gelatine filter holders, and may be connected to a foot operated control box which includes switches actuated to energize preselected lights or groups of lights. The energized lights or preselected energized lights can be intensity modulated with a foot operated dimmer while leaving the operator's hands free to play a musical instrument.

Abstract: A self-actuating, self-locking flow cutoff valve particularly suited for use in a nuclear reactor of the type which utilizes a plurality of fluid support neutron absorber elements to provide for the safe shutdown of the reactor. The valve comprises a substantially vertical elongated housing and an aperture plate located in the housing for the flow of fluid therethrough, a substantially vertical elongated nozzle member located in the housing and affixed to the housing with an opening in the bottom for receiving fluid and apertures adjacent a top end for discharging fluid. The nozzle further includes two sealing means, one located above and the other below the apertures.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor installation comprising a housing including therein a reactor core and provided with means for dissipating the heat generated in the reactor core during operation, which means comprise a primary cooling fluid circuit passing at least one partly through the reactor core in which is included a pump, a secondary cooling fluid circuit arranged outside the housing of the nuclear reactor and consisting of at least one closed loop in which is included a pump, a loop of the primary circuit being coupled by means of a heat exchanger to a loop of the secondary circuit, said installation is also provided with means for dissipating the decay heat produced in the core of the nuclear reactor after the reactor has been switched off, which dissipation means are at least partly formed by the primary cooling fluid circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved attachment assembly for clamping a nuclear reactor foot ring into engagement with a surrounding support wall while allowing for thermal expansion of the foot ring.

Abstract: A spin device attached to the rocket nozzle to impart a relatively large unt of spin to the rocket in a short time while the rocket is guided in a tube launcher of a rearward facing step internal configuration. The device also acts as a rear shoe or sabot for the rocket. Upon contact with the rearward facing step, the spin device separates from the rocket. The forward rocket shoes leave the guidance of the forward tube at the same instant of device separation thus providing a nontip-off rocket launch.

Abstract: An adjustable recessed electrical lighting fixture utilizing an electrical socket which engages a lamp. A mounting plate surrounds at least a portion of the lamp. A frame having a pair of legs pivotally connects the mounting plate and provides support for the electrical socket. The frame is pivoted in relation to the mounting plate to provide adjustment about a horizontal axis. A race which contacts at least a portion of the mounting plate is movable in relation to the mounting plate to provide adjustment about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A light connectable with a key, which light comprises a housing receiving the bulb and battery with which the holding of the key is achieved by a wide surface side fastening of the key handle. The light housing is formed with a shaft and the key handle is able to be pushed into the shaft of the light housing.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge, having a projectile element secured to a shell which is loaded with a charge of powder and includes an ignition primer and a dessicant, is modified to include a cylindrical magnesium element extending downwardly from the projectile into the shell, the magnesium element has a cylindrical cavity in its lower portion which houses a substantially cylindrical pyrotechnic element, the pyrotechnic element is held in close proximity to the powder charge and ignites as the charge explodes and discharges the projectile, the burning pyrotechnic material creates a bright light which, because of openings in the magnesium element, can be seen through a theodolite by a surveyor at a remote point, the burning pyrotechnic element in turn ignites the magnesium element which also gives off a bright light when burning, that light also being observable from a remote point, the bright lights from these burning elements combining to produce a mementary vertical streak of predetermined height, the streak bei

Abstract: An electric lamp reflector comprising a pair of similar, substantially hemispherical reflectors open at the outer ends and having inner openings coaxial with the central axis and said reflectors being nested together and uniformly spaced apart a limited distance except at the inner ends where cylindrical extensions are provided to engage each other and also fit only a cylindrical outer surface of a plastic electric lamp socket holder, the outer reflector having a circular row of holes therein spaced a limited distance from said cylindrical extension and adapted to permit circulation of ambient air to and from the inner reflector and lamp socket holder to render the temperature of the outer reflector safe to human touch.

Abstract: A structure for an underwater nuclear power generating plant comprising a triangular platform formed of tubular leg and truss members upon which are attached one or more large spherical pressure vessels and one or more small cylindrical auxiliary pressure vessels.

Abstract: The fast reactor structure to be protected comprises a wall and a parallel cylindrical shell having a free top edge which forms an overflow sill. A diverted flow of liquid metal withdrawn from a principal volume is circulated upwards through a vertical space formed between the wall and the shell. The shell surface which is remote from the space is provided with a packing of heat-insulating elements so that the overflowing sheet of liquid metal which falls on the downstream side of the overflow sill passes through the packing before returning into the principal volume of liquid metal.

Abstract: Rupture of boiling water reactor nuclear fuel cladding resulting from embrittlement caused by fission product cadmium is prevented by adding the stoichiometrically equivalent amount of CuFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 or CuTiO.sub.3 to the fuel.

Abstract: Rupture of boiling water reactor nuclear fuel cladding resulting from embrittlement by fission product cadmium is prevented by adding the stoichiometrically equivalent amount of V.sub.2 O.sub.4 or V.sub.2 O.sub.5 to the fuel.

Abstract: Collecting tank for coolant escaping from a demolished vessel of a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes an outer steel shell having an inner lining of blocks stacked one on top of the other, frame means for holding the blocks at a side thereof within the collecting tank, and a common support structure, independent of the outer shell, supporting the frame means.