Abstract: Two guide ramps for the transfer of fuel assemblies in sliding motion between the reactor core and an external storage container are surmounted by a lock-chamber in which two pivotally suspended rectilinear rail sections carried by a revolving unit form guide ramp extensions. Each rail section has a lever extension in cooperating relation with a rocking system for displaying the rail section in swinging motion from an inclined position in the line of extenson of one of the guide ramps to the vertical position and conversely.

Abstract: This invention consists of a system which generates clean inexpensive electrical power by fusing isotopes of hydrogen or other lightweight material. Not unlike a cyclotron "turned wrong-side out" ions are accelerated each time they cross a gap between two perforated "bowls" across which is placed high frequency-high voltage. Accelerated ions leave the bowls and go into magnetic gaps or mirror-tubes arranged radially thereon and are generally reflected back through the center of the system between the bowls. By controlled leakage highly energetic ions go out the ends of the mirror tubes and into Return Tubes surrounded by sector or other magnets. Ions are recirculated rapidly and repeatedly through the center of the system. Densities are anticipated to be at least 10.sup.15 and perhaps 10.sup.20's ions per cc. Probabilities of head-on collision are greatly enhanced by converging the beams of ions or jets of plasma head-on.

Abstract: In a blow-off device for limiting excess pressure in nuclear power plants, a condensation tube disposed so that a lower outlet 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 inlet 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 outlet end of the tube, for stabilizing the condensation, being provided with a base member at the mouth of the tube for limiting steam flows discharging in axial direction of the tube and being formed with lateral outlet openings for subdividing the steam flow and the bubbles produced in the volume of water, the base member at the tube mouth being formed at a conical insert member having a base fastened to the condensation tube in vicinity of the mouth thereof and having an apex extending into the tube mouth, the lateral outlet openings being disposed at least within the axial

Abstract: A gas-cooled nuclear reactor, having a tight connection with an intentionally provided leak site between a fission-gas discharge channel formed in a reactor core carrying plate as well as in a head portion of encased fuel elements that are suspended in receiving bores formed in the core carrying plate, the tight connection being formed by an annular member having a sealing surface engaging the core carrying plate at a region thereof in which an opening to the fission-gas discharge channel formed in the core carrying plate is located, a gas-tight, elastic and substantially cylindrical member, variable in length, connecting the annular member to the fission-gas discharge channel formed in the head portion of the fuel element, compression spring means biasing the annular member in a direction away from the fission gas discharge channel formed in the fuel-element head portion, and a sealing abutment plate secured to a central pin and limiting clearance for play of the annular member with respect to an annular zon

Abstract: A method of detecting and monitoring leaks in the piping of a nuclear reactor senses the acoustic energy from the leak and analyzes its frequency spectrum versus acoustic amplitude. A choke flow condition will exist where the leak flows at sonic velocity; here the acoustic energy is directly proportional to the area of the crack producing the leak. This is utilized to provide an indication of crack enlargement.

Abstract: The angle through which the crankshaft of an engine rotates within any given time is proportional to the rotational speed of the engine. Consequently, where the ignition system is of the type in which the integrated value of an integrator circuit or the count value of a counter circuit is varied so as to control the spark advance, if the rate of increase or decrease of the integrated value or the count value within a portion of the increasing or decreasing time is made different from that within the remaining portion of the time, the integrated value or the count value is directly affected by the engine rotational speed. In other words, the spark advance is directly controlled by the factor of the engine rotational speed, thus ensuring satisfactory response characteristic and accuracy for the ignition system.

Abstract: In order to map the power distribution of a nuclear fuel element, a passive detector is laid along the fuel element in situ to record the residual radiation of the fuel element. The detector spatially records the residual radiation as an image in a radioactive reaction product. In the preferred embodiment, the detector comprises a cylindrical casing or wand enshrouding a material which converts incident gamma radiation having an energy level exceeding a preselected threshold to a correspondingly distributed neutron radiation field. The sheath encases a neutron field-sensitive activant, such as gold in the form of a filament longitudinally disposed in the casing. The image of the low-level radiation field can thereafter be analyzed according to relatively risk-free techniques to map the power distribution of the fuel element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the separation of isotopes from an atomic or molecular paramagnetic or polar beam of isotopic mixtures, by the utilization of the isotopic differences of said atoms as well as molecules, in the Electron Spin Resonance (E.S.R.) spectra and in other magnetic or electric resonances such as in the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (N.M.R.) or Stark Resonance, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for producing a paramagnetic or polar particle beam of an isotopic mixture; means for changing the distribution of the m.sub.j values in said particle beam to at least one beam having a discrete m.sub.j value or values, where m.sub.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to energy production by generating an ion stream by laser energy and injecting the ions within a closed loop accelerator. Numerous nodes about the path of the accelerator densify the ions at minimum cross-sections causing substantial kinetic pressure from particles which are accelerated into the nodes together with injected electrons to form a plasma. The accelerator path contains the ions preventing their escape into the atmosphere. The accelerator recycles the ions continuously within the closed loop path for repeated fusion reaction at the nodes.

Abstract: The reactor core is carried from the base region of the primary vessel by a strongback. An annular foot is attached to the inside surface of the leak jacket leaving a clearance of 6 mm between the foot and the outer surface of the base region of the primary vessel. In the event of deflection of the primary vessel, downward displacement of the core relative to the control rods is limited thereby avoiding serious reactivity instability.

Abstract: A segmented manipulator arm for a nuclear reactor vessel inspection device is disclosed. The several segments of the arm are linked in a manner which permits independent movement of each segment in a different plane of motion. The transducer array which is utilized to conduct the examination of any appropriate point in the reactor vessel is cooperably linked to the final or most forward segment of the manipulator arm.The first segment of the manipulator arm is appropriately coupled to the main column of the inspection device for independent movement in one of three planes relative to the main column. Additional segments are employed and cooperatively linked to the first segment to yield a total of nine planes of movement for one or more of the segments. In addition, brackets are used to constrain segment movement in parallel or predetermined planes as desired.

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 donor additive comprising an organic compound or mixture of organic compounds capable of releasing low molecular weight free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and which is not an explosive, or an inorganic compound or mixture of inorganic compounds capable of releasing low molecular weight free radicals or ions under mechanical or electrical shock conditions and selected from ammonium or alkali metal persulfates.

Abstract: A collimated light source, preferably coherent, is directed at an optical system comprising a plurality of controllably rotatable mirrors, the source going from one to the next in seriatim, and each mirror being mounted a small number of degrees "off" the optical axis, so as to oscillate upon rotation. With the rotational speed of each mirror individually controllable, a substantially infinite number of patterns can be generated. Further variations in pattern generation can be achieved with a beam clipper, pulse modulation by an analog (e.g. audio) signal, and/or other known beam-modifying devices. A preferred embodiment is adapted for entertainment purposes and employs a low-power laser and three mirrors. Other applications include pattern-recognition testing of individuals for optometric or psychological purposes.

Abstract: A secure information broadcasting system including a central transmitting station for encoding data in binary form utilizing a keyword and transmitting a FM-SCA signal phase shift modulated by the encoded data. Each of a plurality of portable receiving terminals has an identification number stored therein. When a subscriber desires to display the broadcast information on his terminal, he enters a unique password which is combined with the identification number to generate the keyword. The keyword is utilized to decode the received binary data.

Abstract: Remotely manipulatable probe and apparatus for positioning a corrosion thickness sensing transducer over selected areas of the internal surface of a tubular radioactive component submerged in a pool of water for radiation shielding.

Abstract: A bearing with a lubricant reservoir that is capable of being refilled when the bearing and reservoir are submerged in a lubricant pool. The lubricant reservoir supplies lubricant to the bearing while the bearing allows a small amount of lubricant to leak passed appropriately placed seals creating a positive out flow of lubricant thereby preventing foreign material from entering the bearing.

Abstract: The proposed system for handling fuel assemblies of a nuclear reactor comprises a sealed chamber housing a recharging machine comprising a carrier tube, wherein there is arranged a manipulator tube interacting with a reduction gear. Inside the manipulator tube there is a grip suspended on a chain interacting with another reduction gear. Extending through an opening in the cover of the sealed chamber is a vertical rotary tube with a bracket mounted thereon. The carrier tube is suspended on the bracket. Installed in the wall of the sealed chamber are inductive transmitters of the manipulator tube position. The system further includes three drives located outside the sealed chamber, of which two are kinematically coupled to the reduction gears, respectively. The third drive is kinematically coupled to the vertical rotary tube and turns the tube through a prescribed angle.

Abstract: An acoustic homing torpedo which has an acoustic window and a nose section with the window-torpedo shell interface being positioned at a location aft of the acoustic transducers in the nose so as to minimize unwanted flow noise.

Abstract: An identification lamp is mounted on a rotary member which is rotatable on a stationary shaft, for rotation about the shaft as the member rotates. The shaft carries a stator having permanent magnets while a rotor assembly is fixedly mounted on the rotary member and includes a coil which rotates around the stator together with the member. The lamp is energized by an electric power developed across the coil, and means is provided for selectively deciding whether the lamp is to be energized or deenergized. The application of the invention to the wheel of a bicycle is disclosed.

Abstract: A body is provided which consists of several discrete portions at least on one portion of which is spin stabilized. Mechanism is carried by the body for generating a signal having a frequency proportional to the spin frequency of the spin stabilized portion of the body, together with means responsive to the signal for precessing at least a portion of the body. The signal for precessing the portion of the body can apply cyclically phased impulses correlative to the spin of the body to precess the body.