Abstract: A flow baffling arrangement for the core of a nuclear reactor. A plurality of core formers are aligned with the grids of the core fuel assemblies such that the high pressure drop areas in the core are at the same elevations as the high pressure drop areas about the core periphery. The arrangement minimizes core bypass flow, maintains cooling of the structure surrounding the core, and allows the utilization of alternative beneficial components such as neutron reflectors positioned near the core.

Abstract: A dispersement apparatus for an enlarged mass of fissionable material which causes the liquid fissionable material to move by gravity into a first passage means, the first passage means being connected to a plurality of second passages with the fissionable material separating into the second passages, each second passage being connected to a plurality of third passages which results in the liquid fissionable material being further separated. Each of the passages will contain adjacent the junction thereof with the previous passage a quantity of low melting point material, such as lead or tin. The heat of reaction of the fissionable material will readily melt this meltable material prior to entering the passage. The free end of the third passage may extend within a sand base with explosive means being located therewith to further and ultimately very finely disperse the fissionable material.

Abstract: The first wall of a deuterium-tritium fusion reactor is regenerated in situ. The first wall substantially surrounds an enclosed reaction region confined within the reaction chamber of the reactor. To regenerate a worn first wall without opening the reactor chamber, a gaseous substance is introduced into the chamber, at least a portion of the gaseous substance comprising material, such as low Z refractory material, suitable for forming the first wall. At least a portion of this material is deposited, as by pyrolysis, in solid form on the first wall to regenerate the first wall, and residual gas is removed from the chamber. The chamber is then recharged with a mixture of deuterium and tritium. All the while the inflow of contaminants into the chamber is substantially excluded. Preferably, the pyrolysis of the gaseous substance is effected by energizing the coils used in the operation of the reactor for producing a plasma of deuterium and tritium ions in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Remotely manipulatable probe and apparatus for positioning a corrosion thickness sensing transducer over selected areas of the surface of a radioactive component submerged in a pool of water for radiation shielding.BACKGROUNDIn known types of nuclear power reactors, for example as used in the Dresden Nuclear Power Station near Chicago, Ill., the reactor core comprises a plurality of spaced fuel assemblies arranged in an array capable of self-sustained nuclear fission reaction. The core is contained in a pressure vessel wherein it is submerged in a working fluid, such as light water, which serves both as coolant and as a neutron moderator. Each fuel assembly comprises a removable tubular flow channel, typically of approximately square cross section, surrounding an array of elongated, cladded fuel elements or rods containing suitable fuel material, such as uranium or plutonium oxide, supported between upper and lower tie plates.

Abstract: A system permitting VT (Variable Time) fuze setting information to be transmitted thereto from a remote fire control source via a microwave link when the fuze is chambered in a gun barrel prior to the firing of an artillery shell to which the fuze is affixed. Sufficient microwave power is initially transmitted to the fuze by means of the barrel acting as a microwave transmission line wherein the microwave power received is converted to a DC voltage which is stored and used to bias the fuze circuitry which subsequently receives binary detonating data AM modulated on a microwave carrier.

Abstract: A system for intercepting a target with a missile having semi-active homing guidance. The target is discretely illuminated by a laser beam and the missile homes on the reflected illumination from the target.

Abstract: The spread bombing is effected by a plurality of guided bombs transported by a carrier aircraft near to a target area. The guided bombs are provided with respective programmable storage devices and a freely selectable target coverage pattern is provided by supplying the storage devices with selected different respective guide programs which can be adjusted, both on the ground, prior to an attack on a target area, and in the carrier aircraft, during the attack, as a function of the locating of the target and the preselected target coverage pattern. The different guide programs are transformed into respective different guide commands which are stored in the respective storage devices of the individually guided bombs. The bombs are simultaneously released from the carrier aircraft and the stored guide commands guide the respective bombs into different respective trajectories so that the bombs strike the target area in a predetermined coverage density corresponding to the selected target coverage pattern.

Abstract: Limit switch, particularly for use as a lock switch for safety belts, composed of a flat housing, spaced contact elements in the housing, a switching lever formfittingly secured on one side of the housing with the other side free to move, a spring-loaded switch element on the free end of the lever to open and close the contacts, the side wall of the housing acting as a stop to limit movement of the lever, a cover with an opening for the housing, and a tripping pin attached to the lever extending through the opening, which pin is activated by for example closing a seat belt by a sliding tongue inserted in the housing thus moving the switch element to open or close the contacts.

Abstract: Rupture protection device for hollow cylindrical members having, in installed condition thereof, respective projections at the axial ends thereof protruding beyond the diameter thereof and forming axial stops, includes a plurality of rings serially connectible to one another in axial direction of a hollow cylindrical member and slideable onto the hollow cylindrical member together with at least one divided filler ring so as to form a closed ring unit covering the hollow cylindrical member, the rings being formed with respective overlapping zones at adjoining end face regions thereof constituting respective encircling projections and recesses complementary thereto in mutual engagement and respectively overlying and underlying one another, the filler ring being at least bipartite and formed with both end face regions thereof having encircling projections overlying respective recesses formed in the rings adjoining the filler ring so as to facilitate insertion of the filler ring radially on a hollow cylindrical m

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system wherein a vehicle is guided in either a command guidance mode or a homing guidance mode. In the command guidance mode, the target tracking element, used during the homing guidance mode serves as an inertial reference element. Such element is attitude stabilized in pitch and yaw by mechanically driven means used in both modes, such means driving the reference element with respect to the vehicle's body and, in roll, by the vehicle's roll autopilot to aerodynamically control the vehicle's attitude in roll.

Abstract: An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a getter additive comprising a compound or mixture of compounds capable of capturing or deactivating free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and which is not an explosive. Exemplary getter additives are isocyanates, olefins and iodine.

Abstract: An encoded electrical control systems for motor vehicle employs an encoder/transmitter that provides an encoded signal and a receiver/decoder which effectuates control of an associated device only upon receipt of a signal containing the code unique to that specific receiver/decoder.For motor vehicle applications, a secure ignition system is acheived by enclosing the encoder/transmitter in a tamperproof housing associated with the ignition switch assembly. The encoded signal is transmitted when the ignition switch is closed. The receiver/decoder is contained in another tamperproof housing adjacent an ignition system component essential to engine operation, and, only upon receipt of the unique, encoded signal from the transmitter, effectuates a necessary electrical connection to this ignition system component. Operation also may be initiated by an electronic lock in place of the conventional ignition switch.

Abstract: Apparatus for neutralization of a beam of accelerated ions, such as hydrogen negative ions (H.sup.-), using relatively efficient strip diode lasers which emit monochromatically at an appropriate wavelength (.lambda. = 8000 A for H.sup.- ions) to strip the excess electrons by photodetachment. A cavity, formed by two or more reflectors spaced apart, causes the laser beams to undergo multiple reflections within the cavity, thus increasing the efficiency and reducing the illumination required to obtain an acceptable percentage (.about. 85%) of neutralization.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device of the twisted nematic type comprising upper and lower substrates, upper and lower transparent electrodes formed on the inner surfaces of respective substrates, a liquid crystal interposed between the upper and lower electrodes with its molecules oriented in a twisted arrangement, each of the upper and lower electrodes is constituted by a plurality of electrode segments, and the upper electrode segments are displaced toward lower edge of the display with respect to the corresponding lower electrode segments.

Abstract: A light diffusing device for obtaining a surface uniform in the brightness by using a luminous flux narrow in the radiating angle comprising a flat smooth transparent base plate having a favorable transparency and including a luminous flux incident area defined on one side surface, a conical concavity formed on the other side surface opposed to said one side surface, aligned with the luminous flux incident area and having a bottom area at least equal to said area and light diffusing reflecting means provided on all the side surfaces except the above mentioned other side surface. Said luminous flux incident area is used as a connecting part with the end portion of a light guide or a containing section for a light source. The above mentioned other side surface serves as a displaying surface for such display medium as of words or signs or as a luminous surface for introducing lights of a uniform brightness into a plurality of light guides.

Abstract: A process for neutralization of accelerated ions employing photo-induced charge detachment. The process involves directing a laser beam across the path of a negative ion beam such as to effect photodetachment of electrons from the beam ions. The frequency of the laser beam employed is selected to provide the maximum cross-section for the photodetachment process.

Abstract: A control circuit for delivering control signals to interrupt admission of the fuel-air mixture in the low speed and idle circuit of the carburetor of an internal combustion engine. The control circuit is operated according to the engine operating conditions. The control signal is delivered in response to comparison of a signal whose level is representative of the amplitude of the variations, i.e., the absolute value of the variations in the duration of an engine cycle, with a substantially periodic signal to generate a pulse-shaped signal. The pulses have a relatively narrow width when the amplitude of the variations is great, and a larger width when the amplitude of the variations is smaller.

Abstract: A pivot support element is fixed in position to extend essentially vertically, and carries a horizontally projecting pivot pin. The movable pivotable member on which the weight is suspended is pivoted and connected to the pin by means of a plate-like pivot rod secured laterally to the pivotable member, so that the pivot pin will form the pivot axis for the plate-like element. The pivot pin additionally has fixedly attached thereto a link element, such as a short plate-like member to which a balance rod is pivotally attached which is connected with an intervening spring, typically a compression spring, to the weight-supporting member. Two plate-like pivot rods may be used, one on either side of the support member to provide for balanced attachment. The entire assembly is readily encapsulated in shell-like housing halves, to be essentially dust and contamination-proof, with minimum handling in assembly, or for cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: In a blow-off device for limiting excess pressure in nuclear power plants, at least one condensation tube disposed so that a lower outflow end thereof is immersed in a volume of water in a condensation chamber having a gas cushion located in a space above the volume of water, and an upper inflow end of the condensation tube extends out of the volume of water and is connectible to a source of steam that is to be condensed or a steam-air mixture, the outflow end of the condensation tube, for stabilizing the condensation being provided with an assembly of wall parts forming passageways extending in axial direction for subdividing the steam flow and bubbles produced in the volume of water, the passageways of the assembly of wall parts being stepped in axial direction at both axial ends of the assembly of wall parts.

Abstract: In an electronic ignition timing adjusting system for an internal combustion engine wherein in response to two particular angular positions of the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine a capacitor is charged and discharged so that the time of termination of the discharging of the capacitor is selected as the desired ignition timing of the engine, when the amount of charge on the capacitor is greater than a predetermined value, the charge and discharge currents of the capacitor are reduced as compared with those under other conditions. The capacitor is prevented from being saturated at low engine speeds, thereby accomplishing stable adjustment of the ignition timing throughout the range of low and high rotational speeds of the engine with a high degree of accuracy.