Abstract: A method for masking on the display device associated with a thermal telescope for the night guidance of self-propelled missiles carrying an infrared source, the image of a source of relatively intense stray radiations, wherein, on the one hand, the radiations transmitted in the field of vision of the thermal telescope are simultaneously detected in two different spectral bands, of which the one, called the useful band, corresponds to the maximum radiations from the target and the surrounding landscape, and the other one, called stray band, corresponds to the maximum radiations from the intense infrared sources carried or not by the missile, and on the other hand the signal detected in the first band is corrected by the signal detected in the second band in a manner to leave out the stray portions of the useful signal.

Abstract: Breaks in the lining of a protectively lined reactor vessel are repaired without introducing unwanted electrical paths through the vessel. Specifically, the breaks are repaired using a plug comprising an insulated anchor stud anchored into the portion of the metal support wall underlying the break; a sealing gasket disposed on the portion of the protective lining surrounding the break; a washer disposed outside the sealing gasket; and a clamping arrangement mechanically coupling the washer and the anchor stud for clamping the gasket onto the protective lining throughout a path surrounding the break.

Abstract: The system of the present invention basically consists of a detector unit unted in each bomb or airborne weapon and operable upon interception of a signal emitted by an aircraft-mounted source. The required signal for arming is present only in a well defined zone below the aircraft and only in response to pilot command during weapon release. The signal consists of an unmodulated beam of high-energy photons (gamma rays) emitted by a radioisotope source on the aircraft. The weapon must fall well below the aircraft to see the signal. Geiger-Mueller tubes are used for radiation detectors and the resulting signal is processed to initiate the arming or fusing sequence. Power for the operation of the detector and associated electronics is transferred through the metallic covering of the weapon by means of a split-core transformer at the time of release.

Abstract: A control rod assembly in a nuclear reactor that automatically scrams the reactor when a loss of coolant flow occurs and that can also control the level of neutron flux in the reactor. The control rod assembly includes a separator plate having an orifice through which the reactor coolant flows and a sealing surface around the orifice. The control rod in the assembly has a complementary sealing surface. When the control rod and separator plate are brought into contact, the differential pressure across the separator plate caused by the flow of the primary coolant through the reactor core retains the two sealing surfaces together. If the flow of coolant stops or the differential pressure across the separator plate decreases for any reason, the control rod drops by gravity and the reactor is scrammed.

Abstract: In a blow-off device for limiting excess pressure in nuclear power plants, at least one 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 the upper inlet end of the condensation tube extending out of the volume of water and being connectible to a source of steam that is to be condensed or a steam-air mixture, the outlet end of the condensation tube, for smoothing the condensation, being provided with wall parts forming passages extending in axial direction, delimited from one another and terminating in the water volume, the wall parts serving to subdivide steam flow from the source thereof and bubbles produced thereby in the water volume, the wall parts being constructed as a tube attachment and being formed with an opening corresponding to the outlet end of the condensation tube and by means of which the tube attachment is mounted on the outlet end of the condensation

Abstract: The light has an explosion-proof housing that is of generally triangular transverse section, with no glass on the narrow front or top wall. In mine use, should rock drop onto the housing it is likely to strike glass parts only a glancing blow. The glass parts are arranged to be resiliently sealed to the cast or fabricated metal body of the housing, but be removable from the outside, so a broken glass part need not cost a whole light fixture. A spring resiliently supports the outer end of the bulb upon the housing to cushion against mechanical jolts.

Abstract: Automatic apparatus for loading a predetermined amount of nuclear fuel pellets into a nuclear fuel element to be used in a nuclear reactor. The apparatus consists of a vibratory bed capable of supporting corrugated trays containing rows of nuclear fuel pellets and arranged in alignment with the open ends of several nuclear fuel elements. A sweep mechanism is arranged above the trays and serves to sweep the rows of fuel pellets onto the vibratory bed and into the fuel element. A length detecting system, in conjunction with a pellet stopping mechanism, is also provided to assure that a predetermined amount of nuclear fuel pellets are loaded into each fuel element.

Abstract: Apparatus for baffling the flow of reactor coolant fluid into and about the core of a nuclear reactor. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally aligned baffle plates with mating surfaces that allow longitudinal growth with temperature increases while alleviating both leakage through the aligned plates and stresses on the components supporting the plates.

Abstract: A positionally variable mounting assembly for transducers used to interrogate a nuclear reactor vessel is disclosed. Means are provided for clamping each transducer of an array about its flange in a central restraining block. The central restraining block is, in turn, pivotally mounted in a yoke.The yoke is movable secured to bars or rails bolted to the transducer plate and, by loosening appropriate bolts, can be moved along the ways or pivoted about one of them. Further, the restraining block can be removed from the yoke and pivotally clamped in a different orientation to upstanding brackets attached to the transducer array plate, or rotated through 90.degree. and then secured again in the yoke.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling control rod drives (CRD's) attached by detachable fixing means to housings mounted in a reactor pressure vessel and each coupled to one of control rods inserted in the reactor pressure vessel. The apparatus for handling the CRD's comprise cylindrical housing means, uncoupling means mounted in the housing means for uncoupling each of the control rods from the respective CRD, means mounted on the housing means for effecting attaching and detaching of the fixing means, means for supporting the housing means, and means for moving the support means longitudinally of the CRD.

Abstract: A system for the detection of precipitate-forming antigens by means of the reaction with their corresponding antibodies is disclosed. The reaction of precipitate-forming antigens with their respective antibodies produces a precipitate in proportion to either the antibody concentration or the antigen concentration, depending on which is present in excess. The method does not require formation of actual precipitate, but measures the formation of "scattering centers" -- i.e., molecular aggregates of sufficient size to produce measurable scatter of light. The quantity of scattering centers formed is measured by nephelometric means and the measuring system performs an immunonephelometric analysis. In particular, the rate of change of the nephelometric signal with respect to time is measured and the peak rate and time to the peak rate established. From these simultaneous measurements both the antigen/antibody concentration and the condition of antibody or antigen excess are determined.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket, thrust nozzle for rockets has a movable member retained by a stationary member attachable to a rocket. The movable member includes a venturi throat and an expansion cone for the propulsive gases. At least one of the nozzle members has a spherical surface concentric about the center of rotation of the movable member. The other member bears against this spherical surface via a bearing seal in the form of a thin, narrow ring of lubricous material. The bearing seal is located in a position to support the axial blow-out load imposed by the propulsive gases. It is made of fibers of lubricous material, filled with a solid, lubricous resin; and it is bonded to a nozzle member either with the filler resin or with some other bonding agent. The side of the bearing seal that is bonded to the nozzle member may be reinforced with fibers having high tensile strength, woven into the lubricous fibers, or with a thin sheet of metal.

Abstract: A pressurized-water reactor installation comprises a pressure vessel containing a core, a main reactor coolant system formed by one or more main coolant loops which are each formed by a steam generator and a main coolant pump and main coolant piping interconnecting the vessel, pump and generator. A pressurizer is connected with the coolant system to maintain a normal operating pressure on water in the loop and which prevents the water from boiling in the loop and pressure vessel. An emergency core cooling system is provided which includes a supply of emergency water and activating means responsive to a drop in the normal operating pressure in the loop, for automatically feeding the emergency water into the vessel to flood the core. In case the pump fails to operate, the pressure in the loop increases due to overheating of the water.

Abstract: A neutron guide constituted by two superposed and separable tubular elements extends from the reactor core to the immediate vicinity of the bottom wall of the reactor vessel directly above a neutron detection chamber located outside the vessel. The upper element containing a neutron-emissive medium comprises a closed tube filled with inert gas and engaged coaxially with the lower element which is positioned within a support sleeve. The lower element is provided with another closed sleeve filled with inert gas and terminating near the internal surface of the bottom of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A portable electric lamp comprising a tubular transparent housing, a fluorescent lamp in the housing, an arrangement of sockets and starter connected in a circuit for supplying electric current to the lamp, and a removable elongated reflector element in the housing to which the lamp and current supplying arrangement are fixed for removal as a unit from the housing. The housing is closed at one end by a cap element and has a hand grip element adjacent the other end which has an end closure, and the cap and hand grip are of aluminum alloy or like material having relatively high thermal conductivity. The cap and hand grip are held in place by a plurality of tension rods spaced circumferentially and outwardly around the housing. Impact-absorbing protector rings are provided on the end cap and hand grip and also on the tension rod assembly. The lamp ballast is connected in the electric power supply line in spaced relation to the lamp housing.

Abstract: Apparatus wherein a partially ionized mass of gas is enclosed by a rotationally symmetric, axially elongate housing and set in rotation by a force which arises as a result of a substantially axial magnetic field constant in time and an electric current having a non-zero vector component in the radial direction, whereby positively charged ions originating from a centralized axial gas discharge arc region and moving at a high speed of rotation set the whole mass of gas in rotation by pulse transfer, said housing being lined on the inside with annular wall electrodes segmented in non-azimuthal direction and arranged against each other; the inside wall of said housing at an extremity thereof curving toward the center axis and approaching a centrally mounted electrode of opposite polarity, the wall electrodes being connected with variable resistors which are adjusted so that the voltage applied to the wall electrodes increases blockwise from a minimum value at a chosen point on the axis of the housing to the grid-

Abstract: A mounting bracket formed integrally with a light fixture housing, mounts the fixture on either a flat surface, such as, a wall or a curved surface, such as, a post. The bracket includes a base portion having a front wall and opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel upper and lower end walls joined to the rear surface of the front wall to define a cavity. The free ends of the upper and lower end walls are arcuate, curving inwardly from the opposite side walls toward the front wall for accommodating a cylindrical post or the like support member. A hollow support arm extends from the front surface of the front wall of the base portion to the housing and carries electrical wiring between the housing and the base portion of the mounting bracket. A pair of apertures for receiving mounting screws are defined in the front wall, one at each upper and lower end of the base portion.

Abstract: A core and a transition fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor having a first fuel assembly including structure for laterally spacing parallel and coextending fuel rods positioned at preselected core elevations and also having a second fuel assembly including lateral spacing structure at preselected core elevations, at least one of which is different than the elevations of the spacing structure of the first fuel assembly. The transition fuel assembly is positioned between the first and second assemblies and includes lateral spacing structure positioned at each core elevation where the first and second fuel assemblies have a spacing structure. The transition fuel assembly ensures that contact among the fuel assemblies of the core is through the spacing structures.

Abstract: A gyro seeker which is capable of use in a cannon launched missile. The gyro seeker is enclosed in a housing mounted in the nose section of the missile. The platform of the gyro seeker supports an optical assembly, a detector, a gyro assembly, and a cryostat for cooling the detector. Means are provided on the outer gimbal of the platform for withstanding the extreme acceleration induced by cannon launching. The platform is torqueable along two axes by a plurality of pole pieces located around its base. A platform caging device is provided to cage the platform during transport and serves a dual function as a means to furnish spin-up gas to the gyro element and cooling gas to the cryostat.

Abstract: A fuel quantity distributor in which a continuously operating suction pipe injection device is provided with differential pressure valves corresponding to the number of cylinders arranged about the metering unit. The valves maintain the pressure difference of the fuel constant by the metering unit. The valves have, furthermore, a diaphragm which contacts on one side, the delivered fuel. The other side of the diaphragm is exposed to a control pressure. Each of the differential pressure valves is equipped with one of these diaphragms in the form of a metal diaphragm in the plane of the vave seat. A centering ring with a crushing edge for a seal ring, is located in the distributor housing. The metal diaphragm is fixed relative to the valve seat by this centering ring through the use of a cup spring. The diaphragm, moreover, is located in a carrier within the distributor housing.