Abstract: A vibration arrestor for use in combination with the support structure for the upper ends of rod guides disposed in parallel axial relationship in an inner barrel assembly of a pressurized water reactor vessel, the rod guides being supported between a first, lower plate and a second, upper plate with their respective top ends disposed adjacent the second plate. At least for a selected type of rod guides and associated top plates, apertures provided in the top plates receive therein corresponding extensions which depend from the second plate.

Abstract: Failure of the control-rod assemblies, particularly the control-rod guides and the WDRC's, by transverse flow of coolant through these members is prevented by directing the flow through a calandria above the guides. To avoid a high pressure drop in the coolant between the calandria and the outlet nozzles, the outlet nozzles are at the same level as the calandria. The calandria has hollow tubes between upper and lower supports. The length of the portion of the tubes between the supports is greater than the diameter of the outlet nozzles.

Abstract: The inner barrel assembly of a pressurized water reactor includes an array of interleaved first and second matrices of respective first and second pluralities of rod guides of corresponding first and second different types, disposed in parallel axial relationship, the bottom ends of the guides being affixed to the top core plate of a lower barrel assembly. A flexible support structure connects the top ends of the rod guides to a lower calandria plate and particularly includes corresponding first and second pluralities of top support plates respectively connected to the rod guides of the first and second different types and having outer peripheries generally corresponding to the respective first and second types of rod guides and inner openings for permitting axial passage therethrough of corresponding, first and second different types of rod clusters.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for use with a lifting apparatus having a main lifting mechanism for lifting, lowering and supporting a load. The safety device includes a cylinder operatively connected to the lifting apparatus and capable of lifting, lowering and supporting the load supported by the lifting mechanism. The safety device further includes a counterbalance holding valve operatively connected to the cylinder for preventing the lowering of the load supported by the lifting apparatus except in response to the application of hydraulic pressure thereto.

Abstract: This invention concerns apparatus for selectively connecting an electrode of an electric arc furnace to a source of cooling fluid. The apparatus includes a coupling having passageways extending therethrough for the flow of cooling fluid and comprises at least two separable sections, one such section being connected to receive cooling fluid from the source and the other to convey such cooling fluid to the electrode when coupled to the said one section. Guide means are provided to guide one separable section into close proximity to the other section and to clamp the assembled sections together to connect the electrode to the source of cooling fluid.

Abstract: Improvements in the design of internal components of J-shaped steam generators for liquid metal fast breeder reactors. Complex design improvements have been made to the internals of J-shaped steam generators which improvements are intended to reduce tube vibration, tube jamming, flow problems in the upper portion of the steam generator, manufacturing complexities in tube spacer attachments, thermal stripping potentials and difficulties in the weld fabrication of certain components.

Abstract: A heat pipe formed by metal deposition, on porous metal wick parts, which forms the enclosure and provides both a metallurgical bond to the wick and a hermetic seal.

Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus for inspecting the flat surfaces of a metal billet and includes a carriage mounted scanning head having a high frequency eddy-current probe (21) mounted on the periphery of a disc (18) rotatable above the billet surface about an axis perpendicular to said surface. The carriage (1) is located in abroad of the rotating scanning head. The eddy-current probe is connected to transmit electrical signals representative of the condition of the billet surface under inspection to signal processing equipment remote from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns the inspection of the corners of a square or rectangular metal billet. The inspection apparatus includes inspection probes (25) supported from a scanning head mounted between entry and exit boxes (13). The two boxes include ram displaceable rollers (4) which are moved into engagement with the other surfaces of the billet as it passes through the apparatus so positively siting the inspection probes above the corners of the billet. The probes are connected to transmit electrical pulses representative of the condition of the billet corners to signal processing equipment remote from the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A furnace electrode clamp comprises a metallic body portion (3), an electrically insulated U-shaped band (7) mounted for movement about the body and adapted to embrace the electrode (8) and at least one (preferably two) electrode contact piece(s) (13) mounted on the body and against which the electrode is clamped by the band. The or each contact piece is made from highly conductive material and is water-cooled. The small surface over which contact is made enables a high force/unit area to be established at the contact/electrode interface than hitherto and the direct water cooling facility enables higher current densities to be withstood.