Abstract: An infra-red radiation suppressor adapted to be positioned to alter the flow of the exhaust gases of a turbo-shaft engine and sized to block view into the engine outlet and including self-pumping ejector means to cool the visible surfaces of the suppressor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of InventionThis invention relates to infra-red radiation suppression and more particularly to an infra-red radiation suppressor which is adapted to be mounted to block the view into the outlet of a turbo-shaft engine and to intercept and alter the flow of exhaust gases thereof and which includes self-pumping ejector mechanisms to provide cooling of the exposed suppressor parts.2.

Abstract: In a gas cooled nuclear reactor, cesium metal release into the coolant gas is dependent on the coolant channel surface temperature in the core. The present invention relates to a filter for removing cesium from the coolant gas before it passes to the heat exchanger. The filter comprises a block or blocks of graphite having holes therein with a hydraulic diameter between 1 mm and 6 mm and a ratio of length to equivalent hydraulic diameter between 170 and 1000. This filter is arranged at one end of the reactor core so that the gases pass straight from the core into the filter block.

Abstract: Cemented carbide articles produced by tape casting a slurry of ingredients including organic resins and plasticizers, forming the cast tape into a desired shape and firing the tape, are improved by eliminating carbonaceous residue-forming ingredients from the organic portion of the slurry, resulting in reduced porosity of the fired article.

Abstract: A fuel handling machine for a liquid metal cooled nuclear reactor in which a retractable handling tube and gripper are lowered into the reactor to withdraw a spent fuel assembly into the handling tube. The handling tube containing the fuel assembly immersed in liquid sodium is then withdrawn completely from the reactor into the outer barrel of the handling machine. The machine is then used to transport the spent fuel assembly directly to a remotely located decay tank. The fuel handling machine includes a decay heat removal system which continuously removes heat from the interior of the handling tube and which is capable of operating at its full cooling capacity at all times. The handling tube is supported in the machine from an articulated joint which enables it to readily align itself with the correct position in the core. An emergency sodium supply is carried directly by the machine to provide make up in the event of a loss of sodium from the handling tube during transport to the decay tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling the stages of a missile or other multistage mov object which is adapted to release the stages at a desired time. A separation bolt connects for and aft stages prior to a desired signal. The bolt is held at its lower portion in an assembly capable of thrusting it entirely into the other stage upon the signal. A bolt catcher captures the bolt in the other stage.

Abstract: A gas generator producing usable power from a solid reactant which is sublimed as required to produce vapors and the vapors are chemically reacted to release stored energy and convert same to useful work.

Abstract: 1. A case-bonded solid propellant rocket motor having a motor case, the motor case having an inner surface, a double-base propellant located in the motor case, the double-base propellant having an outer surface, and a layer of a polyvinyl acetal resin bonded to the outer surface of the double-base propellant to bond the propellant to the inner surface of the motor case.

Abstract: The core pile of a gas-cooled nuclear reactor is controlled by a plurality of absorbent graphite rods that are inserted into the pile according to a pre-determined pattern, the pattern being such that the density of distribution of the control rods over the cross-sectional area of the core pile is radially increased in the direction of the core periphery. By this control rod arrangement an overly severe concentration in the flow of neutrons on the periphery of the cord pile is avoided, and a more even distribution of neutron flow across the diameter of the reactor is obtained.

Abstract: Molded or pressed block fuel elements of high power for gas cooled high temperatures are produced by molding in steel tools using outer dies or bars and punches arranged to be freely moveable in the axial direction and moving said moveable dies or bars and punches in the molding process.

Abstract: Fluidic switches characterized by a first divergent region immediately downstream of a nozzle throat and a second downstream region of reduced divergence which will be contacted by a deflected jet. The switches of the present invention include control ports which are normally open to the ambient atmosphere, the ports being located at or near the free stream separation point, and the transition from the first divergent section to the second section is located at or near the attached stream separation point. The switches of the present invention may assume a circular cross-section and when so doing will be provided with a plurality of ribs on the internal surface for preventing circumferential flow about a deflected jet.

Abstract: 1. An oscillator-detector circuit comprising operating potential energy rces, first self pulsing circuit means intermittently oscillatory for developing high frequency electromagnetic energy pulses of a preselected carrier frequency and repetition rate, electromagnetic energy radiating means electrically coupled to said first circuit for effecting radiation of said developed pulses into space and for receiving any reflected electromagnetic pulses, and a second oscillatory circuit means inductively coupled to said first circuit means and being rendered intermittently oscillatory during the occurrence of said developed pulses for selectively detecting variations in the magnitudes of said developed pulses caused by said reflected pulses and for developing an output signal having a frequency correlative to said variations, said first and second oscillatory circuits being parallel connected across said energy sources.

Abstract: A closed loop coolant circuit for a helium cooled high temperature reactor. The circuit has a conventional purification by-pass loop including an oxidizing bed for impurities and an absorption bed for the oxidized impurities. A recycle pipe line is provided whereby a fraction of wet gas leaving the oxidizing bed is returned to the main coolant circuit.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a control rod of a nuclear reactor adapted for rapid refueling is disclosed which electromechanically grips and moves a control rod in a step-by-step manner. Locking apparatus is included with the drive mechanism which locks the control rod in position when it is fully withdrawn from the core. The locking apparatus prevents the drive mechanism from inadvertently dropping the control rod. Therefore, during rapid refueling of a core, when the control rods are withdrawn and stored within an upper core supporting structure, there is no possibility of a control rod being accidentally dropped so as to interface with the rapid refueling operations.

Abstract: A resettable device is provided for supporting an object, sensing when an environment reaches a critical temperature and releasing the object when the critical temperature is reached. It includes a flexible container having a material inside with a melting point at the critical temperature. The object's weight is supported by the solid material which gives rigidity to the container until the critical temperature is reached at which point the material in the container melts. The flexible container with the now fluid material inside has insufficient strength to support the object which is thereby released. Biasing means forces the container back to its original shape so that when the temperature falls below the melting temperature the material again solidifies, and the object may again be supported by the device.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a single mast assembly which accomplishes all of the functions which presently require the use of three handling masts, one for fuel assemblies, one for control rods and other long rods, and one for orifice rods. The assembly, in its preferred form, includes a long primary mast secured at its upper end to a handling bridge to depend vertically therefrom, a much shorter working mast vertically movably mounted within the primary mast, and a control rod grapple shank vertically movably mounted within the working mast and of about the same length. The working mast can be lowered onto a fuel assembly and connected to it by gripper latches to lift the fuel assembly and move it to or from the reactor core or other locations, after raising it within the primary mast for protection.

Abstract: The auxiliary lid permits temporary closure of the reactor core shroud during charge/discharge operations after removal of the closure head of a pressurized water or boiling water reactor. The auxiliary lid has an outer closure plug mounted for rotational motion on the top edge of the reactor core shroud. An inner closure plug which carries a vertical guide channel is rotatably mounted on the outer closure plug in eccentric relation thereto so as to place the guide channel above each fuel element as a result of displacement of both closure plugs in rotational motion.

Abstract: The exhaust duct of a turbojet engine, which is annular with an enlarged plug or bullet at the exhaust end, includes an arrangement of the outer wall to block direct sight of the turbine of the engine through the exhaust duct. There are two rows of inwardly directed streamlined lobes on the outer wall of the exhaust duct with the lobes of one row staggered with respect to those of the other so that the two sets cooperate to block direct view of the turbine through the gap between the plug and the outer wall of the exhaust duct.

Abstract: An electrical explosive igniter, or initiator, of the cylindrical type hag electrical leads coming through to a bridge wire in an ignition mix container. An anvil cutter of cylindrical shape is force-fitted into the center of the igniter and a movable piston is spaced therefrom. The piston has a tapered internal boring. When the piston is forced sharply backward by the internal pressures of the ignited explosives, it shears the wires against the anvil cutter and the tapered portion forms a tight metal-to-metal seal between the anvil cutter and the igniter wall. The greater the pressure, the better the seal becomes.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor is disclosed wherein hydraulic drive mechanisms for control rods are provided with a positive mechanical latching arrangement to maintain the control rods in a withdrawn position with respect to the core. With this arrangement, the coil of an associated electromagnet must be deliberately energized in order to insert the control rod into the core thus making accidental tripping highly unlikely. The drive mechanism is further provided with a hydraulic decelerating device which uses reactor coolant water to smoothly decelerate the control rod as it approaches the fully withdrawn position.

Abstract: A filter-cooler is provided for use with a rocket motor to cool and filter ighly aluminized hot gases from around 5800.degree. F to around 2000.degree. F. The cooled and filtered gases are then usable, for example, in thrust vector control mechanisms. A decomposable chemical coolant section is placed ahead of the filter section so that alumina present in the gases begins to solidify ahead of the filter and may be more efficiently removed.