Abstract: A double-acting piston and cylinder assembly has a piston which in turn has an outer piston surface centered on an axis, a radially outwardly open piston groove and a pair of axially oppositely facing piston ends. The cylinder has an inner surface centered on the axis and spaced radially outside the outer piston surface. A tubularly annular element received in the piston groove has an outer surface centered on the axis and bearing radially outwardly on the cylinder so the piston is guided in the cylinder by the outer element surface.

Abstract: Installation for the storage and/or transfer of dangerous products, wherein it comprises a storage enclosure defining at least one loading and unloading station and a plurality of storage stations, modules each of which receives the dangerous products such as fuel assemblies, each of these modules being located in one of the stations defined in the enclosure, the number of modules being less than that of the stations, lifting means for creating a fluid cushion below at least part of the modules in order to raise the latter within the enclosure and means for moving the modules between the different stations when they are raised by the lifting means.

Abstract: A control device using gas jets makes it possible to modify the flight direction of a guided missile. This device comprises an energy source supplying a gas flow to a set of fixed nozzles arranged in an annular member within which are coaxially placed movable sleeves, respectively provided with gas passage openings or ports. Means are provided for positioning these openings so as face the inlets of the nozzles, in order to divert the gas flow towards one of the nozzles.

Abstract: A fuel pin transfer tool has a tubular housing of sufficient length to enable it to be suspended in a body of water in which a fuel pin assembly is submerged with the upper end of the housing above the water and with the tool in vertical alignment with a selected fuel pin from which the lower end of the tool is closely spaced. The housing has a cylinder spaced from its ends in which there is a piston having a tubular piston rod extending slidably through both ends of the cylinder. An actuator, the control for which has first and second positions, is fixed on the upper end of the piston rod and has a member extending freely downwardly therethrough which on short downward travel, resulting when the control is in its second position, effects the pin-releasing position of a latching device secured to the lower end of the piston rod.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus (10) for connecting a reversible pump (14) having first and second ports (24,26) to a fluid source (16) and to a user device (20) includes a first manifold (30) connected to the pump (14) and a second manifold (32) connected to the first manifold (32). The second manifold (32) has first and second inlet passages (52,56) and one of them is connected to the fluid source (16) and the other is blocked by a plug member (78). The first manifold (30) can be disposed in one of two positions of fluid communication with the pump ports (24,26) by disassembly and assembly of the apparatus (10) to accommodate for reverse operation of the pump without a piece part change and while maintaining system reliability. The coupling apparatus (10) is particularly useful in a marine transmission.

Abstract: A flashlight for bore sighting a long barreled shotgun or rifle including a cartridge case with an ejector rim and a primer opening in the base, and a sidewall defining an open front end; a battery and a light bulb within the case; a switch pin slidable in the primer opening to complete the circuit for illuminating the bulb, a spring normally urging the switch pin outwardly and a metallic bulb holder adjacent the front of the case; in a shotshell case, the bulb holder having a frame shank extending along the battery and to the base thereof, the shank having an apertured flange at the base of the battery, spaced from the battery by an insulator and the hole in the flange aligned with the switch pin.

Abstract: A system and method for handling and storing spent reactor fuel and other solid radioactive waste, including canisters to contain the elements of solid waste, storage racks to hold a plurality of such canisters, storage bays to store these racks in isolation by means of shielded doors in the bays. This system also includes means for remotely positioning the racks in the bays and an access tunnel within which the remotely operated means is located to position a rack in a selected bay. The modular type of these bays will facilitate the construction of additional bays and access tunnel extension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for reducing the gun firing dispersion in a weapon system. The gun (4) comprises a gun servo for aiming the gun at a target. A programmable signal generator (5) is arranged to produce a damping signal (z) which is supplied to the gun servo system at the firing of the gun and which signal has such a character that the oscillating movements which are generated at the firing of the gun are counteracted. A recoil sensor (6) is provided for sensing the start of the recoil movements of the gun and emitting a trigging pulse to the signal generator (5) which in turn is producing said damping signal (z) preferably in the form of a pulse train in which the number of pulses, the pulse widths, polarities and amplitudes of individual pulses can be varied and which has a certain time relationship with the gun firing moment.

Abstract: A standard launcher module for various missiles, in particular flares, comprises a flat wall forming a base, provided with male engagement members. In the position engaged on the support incorporated in the aircraft, a connector is active. Provided in a central groove is a series of electrical initiators connected selectively to the connector and located opposite counterpart relay channels which lead respectively to the useful charges. A sliding bar located in the groove has orifices, located according to the working geometry of the initiators. Finally, a motor connected to the connector allows the movement of the bar between a safety position and an armed position.

Abstract: An improved passive cooling arrangement is disclosed for maintaining adjacent or related components of a nuclear reactor within specified temperature differences. Specifically, heat pipes are operatively interposed between the components, with the vaporizing section of the heat pipe proximate the hot component operable to cool it and the primary condensing section of the heat pipe proximate the other and cooler component operable to heat it. Each heat pipe further has a secondary condensing section that is located outwardly beyond the reactor confinement and in a secondary heat sink, such as air ambient the containment, that is cooler than the other reactor component. Means such as shrouding normally isolated the secondary condensing section from effective heat transfer with the heat sink, but a sensor responds to overheat conditions of the reactor to open the shrouding, which thereby increases the cooling capacity of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A mirror assembly comprising a shallow dish-like housing containing at least one pair of elongate conductors together defining an electrically-conductive seating for at least one electric lamp to be mounted therebetween within the housing, the conductors extending with the interior of the housing to terminal connectors, whereby connection to an electrical supply externally of the housing can be effected, a frame or bezel detachably secured around the periphery of the housing and defining a first aperture closed by a mirror facing outwardly of the housing and at least one second aperture containing a lens through which light from the or each lamp, when energized, will be so directed as to illuminate a region in front of the mirror. The mirror is spaced from the base of the housing and the rear surface of the mirror.

Abstract: A boiling water reactor fuel assembly is provided with an elongated, vertical stiffening device having four stiffening wings which are each attached to a wall of the fuel box. Each stiffening wing has at least one vertically directed passageway for water.

Abstract: A lamp assembly which includes a tubular body for supporting a light bulb socket and being formed with a collar that extends radially from the tubular body. A cover is fixed with the collar and has an opening formed therein that causes the light rays emanating from the light bulb to be cast radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: An array of rods is assembled to form a fuel element for a pressurized water reactor, the rods comprising zirconium alloy sheathed nuclear fuel pellets and containing helium.The helium gas pressure is selected for each rod so that it differs substantially from the helium gas pressure in its closest neighbors. In a preferred arrangement the rods are arranged in a square lattice and the helium gas pressure alternates between a relatively high value and a relatively low value so that each rod has as its closest neighbors up to four rods containing helium gas at the other pressure value.

Abstract: Coupler for absorber rods being suspended during operation of nuclear reactors including a plurality of actuating elements being movable for individually and jointly releasing the coupler, the movement of each of the actuating elements for releasing the coupler being independently controllable.

Abstract: A latching device for use in nuclear reactors. The device is used to latch outer housing assemblies to the reactor core. The device contains a shear pin which does not break under normal loading imposed by movement of absorber rod assemblies, but which shears when it is desired to remove the housing from the core.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing on-site storage of all spent fuel rods removed from a nuclear reactor during its lifetime. Spent fuel rods are removed from spent fuel assemblies and stored in a container in a vertical position, and on a pitch which is less than the pitch of the fuel rods when in a fuel assembly. The removed fuel rods preferably are positioned in a triangular array, and with most fuel rods having line contact along their length with adjacent fuel rods. This arrangement imparts support to all fuel rods in the container and thereby maximizes the available storage space for fuel. To facilitate the loading process, the vertically disposed fuel rods may be installed on steps in the container or on a flat bottom plate therein, all with the assistance of a guidance plate which orients and directs each fuel rod into the container.

Abstract: The fuel assembly locking apparatus comprises a rotatable plate capable of simultaneously and positively engaging all four legs of the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly for uniformly holding the fuel assembly while the spent fuel rods are pulled from the fuel assembly. The rotatable plate has four notched corners arranged to be rotated over a ledge on each leg of the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly thereby preventing movement of the fuel assembly. The rotatable plate is also capable of being rotated 45.degree. so that the four corners of the plate are rotated clear of the legs of the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly thereby allowing the fuel assembly to be placed on or removed from the locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is also provided with a torque actuator for remotely rotating the plate.

Abstract: A support structure for a nuclear power station having a prestressed cylindrical vessel comprising an annular ring of supports on a support wall and foundation wherein the prestressed cylindrical vessel rests on the ring of supports is disclosed. The supports, through their defined distances from each other, provide a constant cooling flow of the supports and a constant temperature over the entire operating period of the power station. This results in supports that are maintenance-free. The supports are constructed of plastic washers with steel inserts and are of sufficient height such that in the case of earthquakes, maximum vibrations of the reinforced concrete pressure vessel may be absorbed within an accurately set terminal boundary of the annular support wall.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel assembly spacer grid. The grid straps form an egg crate configuration creating standard cells to enclose the fuel rods. The standard cells have at least one of their straps with an integral spring portion extending into the standard cell and pushing against the fuel rod. A distinct backup spring is positioned transverse to and behind each of the spring portions of the straps and is positioned so as not to touch the fuel rods. The straps are made of a material having a low neutron capture cross-section while the backup spring is made of a material having good radiation stress relaxation properties.