Abstract: An electric snap-action switch is disclosed having a movable contactor with oppositely inclined camming surfaces meeting at an apex on the top thereof. The contactor is centrally biased upwardly from below and cammed downwardly from above by a laterally movable operator traversing the inclined camming surfaces such that the contactor snaps laterally against vertical stationary contacts as the apex is crossed by the operator.

Abstract: A snap action switch blade has a basic `Q` shape with two arms interconnected and drawn together by a bridge portion, which may be integral with the arms, to form a deformed loop capable of snap movement between two configurations, with respective tongues projecting into and out of the loop to afford anchoring and/or actuating points for the blade.

Abstract: A flat snap-action push-button switch comprising a sheetmetal spring with two elongated slots dividing the sheetmetal member into three coherent strips, is disclosed. The center strip is extended beyond the point of junction of the strips, and carries contacts which cooperate with fixed contacts on a printed circuit board. By depressing the center strip the spring snaps over thus opening one contact and closing another. The switch is particularly suited for use with key boards of electronic pocket calculators.

Abstract: A system for removing impurities from the surfaces of liquid dip seals and or wetting the metal surfaces of liquid dip seals in nuclear components. The system comprises an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic vibrations along an ultrasonic probe to the metal and liquid surfaces of the dip seal thereby loosening and removing those impurities.

Abstract: A subminiature, three position switch has a rocker, or see-saw, moveable contact which is free of conventional side tabs and tab guides, these being precluded by the limited space available. Instead, the rocker arm is of uniform cross section except for a pair of lateral grooves in the under face, each on an opposite side of a central depression, for the tip of the actuator rod. A U-shaped support means, electrically connected to the common central terminal, has a pair of upstanding, legs, or blades, each arranged to be received in one of the grooves to prevent longitudinal sliding of the contact arm, when tilted.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor apparatus for containing, cooling, and dispersing reactor debris assumed to flow from the core area in the unlikely event of an accident causing core meltdown. The apparatus includes a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced plates, having depressions to contain debris in controlled amounts, and a plurality of holes therein which provide natural circulation cooling and a path for debris to continue flowing downward to the plate beneath. The uppermost plates may also include generally vertical sections which form annular-like flow areas which assist the natural circulation cooling.

Abstract: An improved valve arrangement for a two-train Residual Heat Removal System (RHRS) of a nuclear reactor plant which ensures operational integrity of the system under single failure circumstances including loss of one of two electrical power sources.

Abstract: A diver's flashlight having a unitary case with a closed transparent end for light transmission, the other end being sealed by a threaded plug which also serves as a switch. A halogen bulb is mounted in a reflector immediately inside the transparent end and a rechargable battery is held normally out of contact with the bulb by a spring. Tightening the threaded plug overcomes the spring and completes the circuit when the plug is fully seated in sealed position. The plug, and a cap fitted over the transparent end, are of luminous material for night use.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the annulus defined between a substantially cylindrical rotatable first riser assembly and plug combination disposed in a substantially cylindrical second riser assembly and plug combination of a nuclear reactor system. The apparatus comprises a flexible member disposed between the first and second riser components and attached to a metal member which is attached to an actuating mechanism. When the actuating mechanism is not actuated, the flexible member does not contact the riser components thus allowing the free rotation of the riser components. When desired, the actuating mechanism causes the flexible member to contact the first and second riser components in a manner to block the annulus defined between the riser components, thereby sealing the annulus between the riser components.

Abstract: A method of removing the decay heat of radioactive fission products from a gas-cooled high temperature nuclear reactor in an emergency situation wherein a fault or a combination of faults results in the normal operational systems of the reactor not being able to remove the decay heat satisfactorily, comprises introducing water into the reactor core. Preferably the water is completely desalinated water which is introduced into the core from above. Absorber material may also be mixed with the water before it is introduced into the core to effect permanent shutdown of the reactor by absorbing free neutrons within the core.

Abstract: An electrical switch having conductive contact elements each pivoted about a stationary middle contact block is disclosed. The contact elements are each formed as a triangular spring open at one apex and having a bearing the side thereof opposite the open apex for engaging its respective middle contact block. The other two sides of each spring, depending on the switch position, rest under spring tension against one or the other of stationary contact blocks arranged on either side of its respective middle contact block. The ends of these two sides adjacent the open apex are formed with hooks which are positioned with a minimum of friction in recesses and oblong openings in a rotatable actuating element, under spring tension, in such a way that the contact element serves to produce a snap action as the actuating element is rotated.

Abstract: A coded switching device having a plurality of actuator dial knobs will, n set to a predetermined combination, provide electrical continuity between terminals on the device. Setting the dial knobs to another predetermined combination will enable the combination to be changed. The device consists of a number of stations, each comprising an actuator, a switch, and a detent mechanism, equal to the number of digits desired in the combination. Each switch is wired such that only one position will provide continuity through that switch. The switch rotors are connected to the actuators in a manner which will allow their angular relationship, and hence, the particular combination which will close all switches, to be changed by withdrawing the dial knobs in a direction outward from the device. A grooved rod extending transverse to the actuators gangs all of the actuators together for this combination change movement.

Abstract: An improved snap action switch wherein a snap action blade (30), that moves a contact carrying leaf spring (40), includes a latch (31) that mates with a notch (41) in the leaf spring member to eliminate the "teasing" effect normally associated with opening and closing a snap action switch.

Abstract: Liquid crystal cells operable between wide temperature ranges (below 0.degree. C up to 84.degree. C) are provided. These cells include mixtures of compounds from the series ##STR1## WITH A COMPOUND FROM THE SERIES ##STR2## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 7 and m is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: A double throw electrical switch construction having a housing carrying a movable actuator unit for moving a snap switch blade of the housing over center to snap a contact portion of the blade between a pair of spaced contact stops carried by the housing with a contact force being sustained at the "trip point" of the switch construction by an actuator spring of the actuator unit being moved over center before the blade is moved over center by the snap movement of the actuator spring. The actuator unit includes an actuator plunger having lost motion means directly acting against the actuator spring whereby the actuator spring can move relative to the actuator plunger through the lost motion means thereof when the actuator plunger moves the actuator spring over center in either direction thereof.

Abstract: A disconnect switch and drive mechanism therefor particularly adapted for use in gas insulated substations. The disconnect switch comprises a sealed tank having opposing ends through which electrical conductors enter the tank, and within the tank is disposed an electrically insulating gas. Also disposed within the tank are a pair of longitudinally spaced apart electrodes, and the electrical conductors are coupled to, and terminate at, the electrodes. A reciprocating switch blade is disposed within one of the conductors and is capable of being in two positions; one position in contact with both electrodes to permit the flow of electric current therebetween; and a second position spaced apart from one electrode to prohibit the flow of electric current. A drive mechanism is utilized for positioning the switch blade.

Abstract: A plastic microfiche carrier has a central clearance for enabling an insertion of a replaceable microfiche film in the carrier. The corners of the carrier are tapered to facilitate an alignment of the carrier, and therefore the microfiche in a library file housed within the cartridge. The front or leading edge of the carrier is concave in the width dimension with a bullet-like nose double taper in the thickness dimension to guide and direct the microfiche, as it slips into and out of the library file.

Abstract: Emergency feed system for cooling nuclear reactor installations having a vessel for containing deionate which is fed to a steam generator through an emergency feed pump having a suction line connected to the vessel includes a circulating line extending at one end thereof from the vessel and having connected therein a circulating pump and heat exchanger means for cooling components of the emergency feed system, valve means connected to the other end of the circulating line, and a pair of lines both extending from the valve means and connected, respectively, to the suction line of the emergency feed pump and to a drainage system.

Abstract: A display device is provided with a plurality of flip display cards which are pivotally carried by a rotatable card holder. A release tab is positioned above the card holder so as to engage the edge of one card whereby the information on the front of said one card can be viewed. The preceding card is supported on abutments on the card holder so that information on the back of said preceding card can be viewed simultaneously with the information on the front of said one card. The card holder is turned step-by-step so as to urge the one card past a first viewing position whereupon the card falls down onto the abutments for viewing in the second viewing position as the next card is moved into said first viewing position. The card holder has structure for pivotally carrying display cards, abutments for supporting display cards and indexing detents for providing the step-by-step advance of the display cards.

Abstract: The primary heat transport system of a nuclear reactor -- particularly for a liquid-metal-cooled fast-breeder reactor -- is shielded and protected from leakage by establishing and maintaining a bed of a powdered oxide closely and completely surrounding all components thereof by passing a gas upwardly therethrough at such a rate as to slightly expand the bed to the extent that the components of the system are able to expand without damage and yet the particles of the bed remain close enough so that the bed acts as a guard vessel for the system. Preferably the gas contains 1 to 10% oxygen and the gas is passed upwardly through the bed at such a rate that the lower portion of the bed is a fixed bed while the upper portion is a fluidized bed, the line of demarcation therebetween being high enough that the fixed bed portion of the bed serves as guard vessel for the system.