Abstract: An improved shunt for series connected lamps is disclosed in which two strips of anodized aluminum foil are fastened together around the inner lead wires of the lamp.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a nuclear reactor comprising an absorbing element having a supporting head connected by a disconnectable linkage constituted by the armature of an electromagnet to the end of an axially movable vertical operating rod, said linkage being such that in the case of a disconnection the absorbing element slides by gravity in a passage bounded by an open container through the core of the reactor, wherein the operating rod is associated with a metal member having an expansion coefficient which is significantly higher than that of the armature of the electromagnet, whereby in the case of a temperature rise a separating force is exerted between the head of the absorbing element and the operating rod.

Abstract: Improved shock absorber for slowing down the descent of a control rod in a liquid cooled reactor core at a controlled rate uses a thimble tube which has a corrugated section at its lower end to distribute the control rod deceleration forces over an extended distance in a "scram" situation. In a preferred embodiment, the corrugations have a lesser internal diameter at the lower end of the thimble tube than at the top to increase the rate of deceleration as the control rod aproaches the bottom of the core. In several modifications, the corrugation pitch and/or depth is varied over the length of the corrugated surface.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises a pivotal support member having at least one headlamp secured thereto, an unidirectional motor which rotates its output shaft in one rotational direction only when energized, cam and linkage means whereby rotation of the output shaft of the motor is converted into a pivotal movement of the support member about its pivot axis to adjust the headlight angles. Also provided is an electric circuit for energizing the motor which comprises a first group of electrical contacts which are connected in series with a second group of electrical contacts, respectively, a contact disc in slidable engagement with the second group of electrical contacts, and a manually operable means for selectively connecting one of the first group of electrical contacts to a battery. The contact disc is electrically connected in series with the motor and also mechanically connected to the output shaft of the motor to be rotated thereby.

Abstract: In the detection of cracks in fuel element units using a crack detection cell, the cell includes heating means which are energized to heat the unit. The heating means form part of a pocket in which the unit is received, the pocket being received in a double-walled chamber which can be thermally insulated from the surrounding medium.

Abstract: A motor brake control system for use on a motor having a motor brake retarder and a throttle fuel control is designed to respond to manual selection for sequentially retarding the selected cylinders in the motor. A transducer for sensing the speed of the motor is provided for generating a series of output pulses which access a high RPM detector and a low RPM detector. In the event that the motor exceeds a predetermined high RPM value, the brake control system activates all of the retarders to fully brake the motor. In the event that the brake retarders are on, either fully or partially, and the motor drops below a predetermined low RPM value, the brake retarders are released. Provision is made to prevent retardation of the motor as long as the throttle of the motor is being activated and retardation is further prevented after deactivation of the throttle until the fuel in the fuel delivery system has been consumed.

Abstract: The spacer grid for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly has an open structure constituted by an array of flat sheet metal members in interfitting relation and defining compartments. Narrow corrugated strips project into the interior of the compartments and form separations between openings of substantial width in the surface of the sheet metal members and an outer frame surrounds the structure. The sheet metal members are joined to the corrugated strips by means of a zone having lower mechanical strength so as to increase the deflection of each strip in respect of the same applied force.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of operating a nuclear reactor having a negative reactivity moderator temperature coefficient with the object of maintaining a uniform and symmetric Xenon distribution above and below substantially the center of the core over a substantial axial length of the core during normal reactor operation including load follow. In one embodiment variations in the Xenon distribution are controlled by maintaining a substantially symmetric axial power distribution. The axial offset, which is employed as an indication of the axial power distribution, is maintained substantially equal to a target value, which is modified periodically to account for core burnup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric flash device and, more particularly, to an improvement of the mechanical construction of a flashing member in the electric flash device.

Abstract: A high intensity running light fixture capable of submersion to substantial epths includes tungsten-halogen lamps housed in glass globe sealed to a heat dissipating base. The fixture avoids reduction in light transmittance of the globe by the improvement wherein a finned heat collector is disposed in the upper regions of the globe, with fins in close proximity to the inner surface thereof, and is connected by thermally conductive pillars to the base.

Abstract: A device for mounting and supplying electrical power to a luminaire. The device includes three connectors mounted in a housing. The connectors on the device electrically interconnect two cables and a lighting circuit in the luminaire. Power is applied from one cable through the device to the luminaire and to the other cable which supplies power to another luminaire. A bracket on the top of the housing for mounting the device to a building structure is adjustable to compensate for fixture balance and the weight of the cables connected to the device. When the luminaire is releasably attached to the device, one of the connectors on the device engages a mating connector on the luminaire for energizing the lighting circuit. The luminaire can be detached from the device without interrupting power to other luminaires in the same circuit.

Abstract: A device for mounting and supplying electrical power to a luminaire. The device includes two connectors mounted on opposite sides of a housing which is mounted on the luminaire. The connectors on the device are wired to electrically interconnect two cables and a lighting circuit in the luminaire. Power is applied from one cable through the device to the luminaire and to the other cable which supplies power to another luminaire. A bracket on the top of the housing for mounting the luminaire in a building structure is adjustable in a direction extending linearly between the connectors to compensate for fixture balance and the weight of the cables connected to the device.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing an upper tie plate to the tie rods of a nuclear fuel bundle. The mechanism includes an upper tie plate assembly and locking sleeves fixed to the ends of the tie rods. The tie plate is part of the upper tie plate assembly and is secured to the fuel bundle by securing the entire upper tie plate assembly to the locking sleeves fixed to the tie rods. The assembly includes, in addition to the tie plate, locking nuts for engaging the locking sleeves, retaining sleeves to operably connect the locking nuts to the assembly, a spring biased reaction plate to restrain the locking nuts in the locked position and a means to facilitate the removal of the entire assembly as a unit from the fuel bundle.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for raising and lowering an absorber rod within a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The apparatus comprises a driving system which includes a motor-driven flexible support member that is connected to the absorber rod through both a coupling element and a connecting element, and a storage means for storing any excess length of flexible support member. Both the driving system and the storage means are detachably enclosed within a desired gaseous environment that is isolated from the interior of the pressure vessel by a screening plug having a passageway therein through which the connecting element is disposed for movement between an upper end position and a lower end position.

Abstract: A first light reflecting surface is formed at either the back side of a hub section of a transparent pointer or an hole formed in a transparent dial board and a second light reflecting surface is formed on a front side of the hub section of the pointer. Light rays transmitting entirely within the dial board in a direction parallel to the longer dimensions of the dial board are reflected toward the second light reflecting surface by the first light reflecting surface and then reflected toward the pointing section of the pointer by the second light reflecting surface to illuminate the pointer.

Abstract: A corner bracket having a cross member and mounting arms at right angles with each other is arranged to be fastened at any desired height in a corner of a room. A lamp housing interengages with the bracket snugly in the corner and has right angled rear walls and a downwardly directed configuration including an interiorly contained screw socket. A bulb for fostering plant growth fits in the socket entirely within the housing. A lamp cord depends from the rear of the housing while corner molding is provided for decoratively concealing the lamp cord between the housing and the floor of the room.

Abstract: A mechanism for substituting a replacement headlight for a burned out or broken one. The mechanism includes a rotating disk and pneumatic actuating mechanism therefor. The actuating mechanism control is operable by the driver from the inside of the vehicle without requiring either stopping the engine or alighting from the vehicle.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are manufactured utilizing a graphite flour-pitch matrix formulation containing an additive. The matrix formulation has a decreased viscosity at fabrication temperatures which permits manufacture of the fuel rods with lower fabrication pressures. Also, the matrix formulation does not cause the fuel rod to adhere or bond to the fuel element during heat treatment of the fuel rod in the fuel element. The nuclear fuel rods are suitable for use in high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactors.

Abstract: A purification system for water to be vaporized in a steam generator of a nuclear reactor having a feedwater circulatory loop includes an electromagnetic filter having an inlet and an outlet connected in the feedwater circulatory loop, a line branching from the feedwater circulatory loop downstream of the electromagnetic filter in direction of feedwater flow therethrough, an ion exchange filter connected in the line, means for reducing pressure and temperature connected in the line upstream of the ion exchange filter in feedwater flow direction through the line, a shut-off valve connected in the feedwater circulatory loop upstream of the electromagnetic filter in the feedwater flow direction through the loop, and a connecting line extending from the feedwater tank to a location of the feedwater circulatory loop between the shut-off valve and the inlet of the electromagnetic filter.

Abstract: A large inertial confinement breeder reactor wherein neutron bursts produced by fusion, fission or combined fission and fusion are contained seriatim in a large chamber. Each burst results from interception of a large, sub-critical free-falling mass by a smaller upward accelerated slug such that the combined assembly is more than prompt-critical. The resulting thermal energy is absorbed by a spray which generally fills the chamber. The innermost portion of the spray comprises a dense slurry of actinides in molten sodium while the outer portions of spray comprise a very dilute slurry of actinides in molten sodium. The collected heated spray also contains the debris of the explosion and travels through a heat exchanger-precipitator means wherefrom dense slurry, lean slurry, precipitate, and thermal energy may be extracted.