Abstract: Toroidal field coils are interlaced with other toroidal structures and are operated under supercooled conditions. To facilitate demounting the toroidal field coils, which are supercooled, they are made in the form of connected segments constituting coils of polygonal form. The segments may be rectilinear in form, but some may also be U-shaped or L-shaped. The segments are detachable from one another and are supported in load relieving manner. Power devices are used to displace the segments to facilitate removal of the coils from the aforesaid toroidal structures and to provide for the accommodation of dimensional changes and stresses due to thermal and magnetic conditions. The segments are formed of spaced parallel conductive slabs with the slabs of one segment being interdigitated with the slabs of the adjacent segment. The interdigitated slabs may be soldered together or slidingly engaged. The slabs are shaped to accommodate superconductors and to provide passages for a cooling medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for initially producing a sharp boundaried theta-pinch plasma, and subsequently relaxing the current sheath of the plasma to provide a diffuse-pinch plasma, in which the diffuse pinch plasma has a doublet or higher multiplet magnetic confinement configuration with one or more internal separatrices, and in which the initially formed, sharp-boundaried plasma is provided with a current sheath having a contour corresponding to a flux surface of the doublet or multiplet configuration.

Abstract: A device and method for relativistic electron beam heating of a high-density plasma in a small localized region. A relativistic electron beam generator or accelerator produces a high-voltage electron beam which propagates along a vacuum drift tube and is modulated to initiate electron bunching within the beam. The beam is then directed through a low-density gas chamber which provides isolation between the vacuum modulator and the relativistic electron beam target. The relativistic beam is then applied to a high-density target plasma which typically comprises DT, DD, hydrogen boron or similar thermonuclear gas at a density of 10.sup.17 to 10.sup.20 electrons per cubic centimeter. The target gas is ionized prior to application of the electron beam by means of a laser or other preionization source to form a plasma. Utilizing a relativistic electron beam with an individual particle energy exceeding 3 MeV, classical scattering by relativistic electrons passing through isolation foils is negligible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously driving a current in a toroidal plasma through r-f induced, asymmetric trapping or detrapping. The method and apparatus may be used to supply ohmic current over a prolonged or indefinite time period and thus provide for steady state operation of toroidal plasma apparatus such as tokamaks.

Abstract: A cylindrical electric penetration assembly carrying instrumentation leads from the interior of a nuclear reactor and having thin layers of polyethylene and lead radiation shielding installed at both its entrance and exit regions, the shielding layers being separated by a large hollow cavity located inside the central portion of the penetrator nozzle. Each layer attenuates and extinguishes either gamma ray or neutron radiation emanating from the reactor's core. The combination of the shielding and central air pocket prevents excessive radiation leakage through the penetration assembly and excessive heating inside the penetration nozzle.

Abstract: The actuation of electromagnetic devices, especially fuel or mixture shut-off solenoid valves in internal combustion engines is controlled on the basis of two engine variables, namely engine speed (rpm) and induction tube vacuum, for the purpose of suppressing fuel or mixture admission to the engine when the engine is being operated at higher than normal idling speed and while the throttle is closed (engine vacuum high). These twin conditions indicate that the engine is used for braking, i.e., it is being overrun. The position of the throttle is sensed by a vacuum switch which responds to induction tube vacuum and releases the actuation of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is further engaged by an rpm-dependent circuit in which a capacitor is periodically discharged by rpm related pulses.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor containment structure including a diaphragm floor for dividing a closure casing into a drywell and a pressure suppression chamber, the diaphragm floor being supported at its inner peripheral end by a pedestal for a pressure vessel and abutting at its outer peripheral end against shear keys secured to the closure casing. The diaphragm floor includes a concrete layer embedded between structural steels extending radially between the pedestal and the shear keys.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting failure in a welded connection, particrly applicable to not readily accessible welds such as those joining components within the reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor system. A preselected tag gas is sealed within a chamber which extends through selected portions of the base metal and weld deposit. In the event of a failure, such as development of a crack extending from the chamber to an outer surface, the tag gas is released. The environment about the welded area is directed to an analyzer which, in the event of presence of the tag gas, evidences the failure. A trigger gas can be included with the tag gas to actuate the analyzer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating power from a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor utilizing two Brayton-type thermal cycle circuits exchanging heat through a common heat exchanger. The reactor gas coolant is circulated through a primary circuit including the reactor, and a working fluid is circulated through a secondary circuit in heat exchange relation with the reactor gas coolant. Work is extracted from the primary circuit turbine to drive both the primary circuit and secondary circuit compressors. Further, the entire primary circuit and the secondary circuit compressor are preferably disposed within a singular containment structure.

Abstract: Mixing and distributing device for gases having high temperature includes a multiplicity of polygonal blocks stacked in a plurality of layers above and laterally adjacent one another, the blocks being formed with channels having respective axes disposed at an angle to one another and to a main gas in-flow direction, the channels of the respective blocks being connected with adjacent channels of the same or an adjacent block, the multiplicity of polygonal blocks defining a space wherein high temperature is producible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the flow rate of cooling fluid at the inlet of the core of a water-cooled reactor.The device comprises a base secured to the bottom plate of the core, a vertical cylindrical casing called measuring chimney, a support structure for bearings disposed along the axis of the measuring chimney, a two-blade propeller of nonmagnetic material the shaft of which rotates in the axial bearings, one of the blades bearing a component of magnetic material, and a measuring coil supplied with direct current generating pulses to a frequency-measuring device when the magnetic component of the propeller moves in front of the coil, when the propeller is rotated by the cooling fluid travelling along the measuring chimney.The invention is applied in particular to tests in water of pressurized water-cooled reactors.

Abstract: In a nuclear reactor flux mapping system consisting of two operationally independent electronic subsystems for controlling the positioning of separate groups of in-core detectors within core thimbles, a communications link is provided between the two subsystems to enable one subsystem and its associated group of detectors to assume the flux mapping responsibility of the other subsystem in the event of a subsystem malfunction.

Abstract: Device for insertion and withdrawal of an electrically connected instrument in a deep channel, comprising a flexible cable-like member, one end of said member to be inserted being connected to the instrument and the other end of said member being permanently fixed and permanently electrically connected, and means for inserting said member and the associated instrument into said deep channel, a collecting means arranged in connection with the other end of the cable-like member in which said member can be deposited in the form of a helix when withdrawing the instrument from the channel, and a feeding means for insertion into and withdrawal from the channel of said cable-like member, said feeding means being arranged in such a manner as to permit rotation of the cable-like member during the feeding thereof in view of the permanent attachment of its said other end.

Abstract: A device and method for relativistic electron beam heating of a high-density plasma in a small localized region. A relativistic electron beam generator or accelerator produces a high-voltage electron beam which propagates along a vacuum drift tube and is modulated to initiate electron bunching within the beam. The beam is then directed through a low-density gas chamber which provides isolation between the vacuum modulator and the relativistic electron beam target. The relativistic beam is then applied to a high-density target plasma which typically comprises DT, DD, or similar thermonuclear gas at a density of 10.sup.17 to 10.sup.20 electrons per cubic centimeter. The target gas is ionized prior to application of the relativistic electron beam by means of a laser or other preionization source to form a plasma. Utilizing a relativistic electron beam with an individual particle energy exceeding 3 MeV, classical scattering by relativistic electrons passing through isolation foils is negligible.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for raising the potential of a magnetic mirror cell by pumping charged particles of the opposite sign of the potential desired out of the mirror cell through excitation, with the pumping being done by an externally imposed field at the bounce frequency of the above charged particles. These pumped simple mirror cells then provide end stoppering for a center mirror cell for the tandem mirror plasma confinement apparatus. For the substantially complete pumping case, the end plugs of a tandem mirror can be up to two orders of magnitude lower in density for confining a given center mirror cell plasma than in the case of end plugs without pumping. As a result the decrease in recirculating power required to keep the system going, the technological state of the art required, and the capital cost are all greatly lowered.

Abstract: This describes a fuel assembly for utilizing plutonium fuel in combination with other nuclear fuel in a nuclear reactor core. The plutonium fuel is placed in a separate zone in the fuel assembly to take advantage of the characteristics of the plutonium fuel. Fuel costs may be reduced by mixing the plutonium fuel with natural or depleted uranium. Fabrication costs can be minimized by placing the plutonium in less than all of the fuel elements of the assembly.

Abstract: A device and method for relativistic electron beam heating of a high-density plasma in a small localized region. A relativistic electron beam generator or accelerator produces a high-voltage electron beam which propagates along a vacuum drift tube and is modulated to initiate electron bunching within the beam. The beam is then directed through a low-density gas chamber which provides isolation between the vacuum modulator and the relativistic electron beam target. The relativistic beam is then applied to a high-density target plasma which typically comprises DT, DD, hydrogen boron or similar thermonuclear gas at a density of 10.sup.17 to 10.sup.20 electrons per cubic centimeter. The target gas is ionized prior to application of the electron beam by means of a laser or other preionization source to form a plasma. Utilizing a relativistic electron beam with an individual particle energy exceeding 3 MeV, classical scattering by relativistic electrons passing through isolation foils is negligible.

Abstract: A method of operating a nuclear reactor wherein the reactor is operated for more than 50% of its operating period with the control rod patterns in which, in the central region of the reactor core accounting for at least 50% thereof, the control rods inserted from the bottom of the reactor core are at the depths of between 16/24 and 21/24 of the height of the reactor core with eight control rods surrounding each of said inserted control rods being fully withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously testing a plurality of fuel rod assemblies for leakage of radioactive gas, comprising the steps of removing the cover from a nuclear vessel containing the fuel rods, positioning a fixture over the fuel rods, reducing the hydrostatic pressure surrounding the fuel rods allowing gas to leak into the surrounding water, collecting water from about each fuel rod assembly in a separate chamber, separating gas from the water and testing the gas for the presence of radioactivity.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus and methods to produce nuclear fusion utilizing fusible material in the form of high energy ion beams confined in magnetic fields. For example, beams of deuterons and tritons are injected in the same direction relative to the machine axis, but the deuteron velocity is sufficiently greater than the triton velocity so that the deuterons overtake the tritons at a relative velocity which produces a high fusion reaction cross section. The momentum of the deuterons is approximately equal to the momentum of the tritons so that both types of ions follow essentially the same path. Thus, the deuteron and triton beams, together with electrons for space charge neutralization, constitute a "moving-plasma", in which fusion reactions occur. Various alternative magnetic field configurations are described for confinement of the high energy ion beams. Methods are given for the starting and steady-state operation of the invention, based on change-of-charge-state trapping of injected material.