Abstract: A receptacle and arrangement for positioning a thermocouple junction in the reactor coolant fluid stream exiting the fuel assemblies of a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle location system wherein the position of a mobile unit is at any time (on a "real-time" basis) defined by a stored predetermined location code communicated to the mobile unit from a remote unit at a predetermined location and dead reckoned location coordinates relative to such stored location. When the mobile unit passes into the vicinity of a different remote unit, a new predetermined location code is communicated to the mobile unit from such remote units, and the dead reckoned coordinates are reset to zero. A novel dead reckoning system for use in conjunction with a specific deployment of the remote units is also disclosed.

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: The invention is directed to an emergency power failure light of a multi-piece assembled housing with a safety interlock and using a bottom cup-shaped member to support electrical components with the member having protruding male prongs out the back for plugging into an AC outlet. A mid-cover is sized to nest and completely cover in the bottom member. It is open at the top and has a bottom wall to cover the electrical components, the wall also being apertured for a bulb socket with an electrical contact at the bottom. A curved reflector is mounted over the bulb in the mid cover and is carried by a lens coverplate that latches over the reflector to completely cover the mid cover and the lens and notches into the mid cover with the coverplate having a threaded socket extending through the mid cover into the assembly.

Abstract: In a method of control of a protection system which is applicable in particular to the initiation of emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor, N measurements of one or a number of physical parameters are taken and processed by N matching and/or computation units, the median of the N signals corresponding to the N measurements is selected. The signals are obtained at the output of the matching units and the median is compared with a reference value in order to initiate protective action.

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: Apparatus for directing electromagnetic radiation such as a laser beam in a gyro-stabilized direction. The apparatus includes a supporting means on which is fixedly mounted an optical lens having a predetermined focal length and also an element for either detecting the radiation when the apparatus is used to receive the gyro-stabilized beam or for emitting the radiation when the apparatus is used to transmit a gyro-stabilized beam. A mirror is also provided which is mounted on the axis of the lens and, via a cardanic suspension, to the support. The mirror is rotated in its own plane to function as a gyro motor and the beam of radiation is directed so as to impinge upon the reflecting surface of the mirror. Also, the mirror is located at a distance which is one-half the distance of the focal length of the lens from the focal plane of such lens, and the mirror is pivotable about a pivot point on the axis of the lens.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display incorporates a pair of spaced carrier plates separating a layer of liquid crystal material, both of the plates having a set of selection conductors on their inside surfaces, defining a display matrix of visual elements, and a plurality of boundary electrodes connected with one or both sets of selection conductors surrounding each individual visual element.

Abstract: A system for determining the relative velocity of two objects in a direction substantially transverse to a line between them wherein a first of the objects, for example an aircraft, transmits a continuous sequence of radar pulses from a broad beam antenna directed toward the ground and a receiver, also mounted on the aircraft, receives the echo returns of the pulses through an antenna which has a pair of phase center locations spaced apart in the direction of the relative velocity. The two receiving phase centers follow substantially the same ground track. Reflected pulses received at the separated phase center locations are non-coherently detected and a computing system performs a time-amplitude comparison of the pulse amplitude values detected at the aft phase center location against the pulse amplitude values detected at the forward phase center location N pulse repetition intervals earlier in time. Each set of pulse comparisons is performed according to the general relationship (F.sub.i - A.sub.N+i) (F.

Abstract: This invention consists of a pair of modules containing silicon power rectifiers which are wired into the existing ignition system of an automotive vehicle so as to increase the sparkplug life of the internal combustion engine and increase the gasoline mileage thereof.

Abstract: A light scattering type smoke detector effectively sensitive both to white and black smokes is provided. A wave length .lambda. of an incident light from a light source and a scattered light receiving angle .theta. defined by the direction of the incident light and the direction connecting between a smoke particle and a light receiving element are so determined as to satisfy .lambda. .ltoreq. 950 m.mu. when .theta. .ltoreq. 45.degree., .theta. .ltoreq. - 0.18 .lambda. + 216 when 45.degree. .ltoreq. 135.degree. and .theta. .ltoreq. 135.degree. when .lambda. .ltoreq. 450 m.mu..

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 shock absorber is described for use in a hostile environment at the end of a blind passage for absorbing impact loads. The shock absorber includes at least one element which occupies the passage and which is comprised of a porous brittle material which is substantially non-degradable in the hostile environment. A void volume is provided in the element to enable the element to absorb a predetermined level of energy upon being crushed due to impact loading.

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.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A snap-action overcenter contact mechanism utilizes a spring-loaded apexed plunger depressibly cammed within a rockable actuator block. The plunger rides in tracks in the block which ensure registered pivotal movement of the block and plunger, and also guides the plunger for depression within the block perpendicular to the pivotal axis thereof. A cam, which may be in the form of a roller mounted to a linearly sliding operator or a toggle lever operator, traverses the plunger to depress the plunger within the block against the bias of compression springs. When the cam translationally crosses the apex of the plunger, the stored energy of the springs is released, and the plunger and block pivot to an alternate position. A positive off feature is also disclosed wherein secondary cams formed on the operator strike the block to force it to pivot to an off position if the first cam has crossed the apex of the plunger and the block has not pivoted to the off position.

Abstract: A mechanical governor of a fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines is disclosed wherein a structure, which permits a reduction of the reaction force of a control lever as well as the tension of a balance spring, comprises a first support member fixed to the housing of the mechanical governor, a second support member pivotably mounted on a control lever, and a balance spring, one end thereof being connected to the first support member and the other being connected to the second supporting member.

Abstract: A reactor for reacting hydrocarbons with steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen containing gases in the presence of a catalyst contained in a reaction tube and indirectly heated by heating fluid which is a gas that has been used to cool a nuclear reactor. The reaction tubes are surrounded by the heating fluid over a portion of their length in a heating zone and the other portion thereof is positioned outside of the heating zone. The reaction tubes are provided with one or more conduits for feeding of reactants and one or more conduits for discharging product gas.

Abstract: The interior surfaces of gun barrels are protected from wear and corrosion y applying a laminar additive of an organic compound to a gun propellant in such a manner that the heat generated by firing of the gun causes the compound to decompose thereby evolving gaseous products which buffer said interior surfaces from the corrosive and wearing effects of the combustion products of the propellant.