Abstract: Methods for making nuclear fuel compacts exhibiting low heavy metal contamination and fewer defective coatings following compact fabrication from a mixture of hardenable binder, such as petroleum pitch, and nuclear fuel particles having multiple layer fission-product-retentive coatings, with the dense outermost layer of the fission-product-retentive coating being surrounded by a protective overcoating, e.g., pyrocarbon having a density between about 1 and 1.3 g/cm.sup.3. Such particles can be pre-compacted in molds under relatively high pressures and then combined with a fluid binder which is ultimately carbonized to produce carbonaceous nuclear fuel compacts having relatively high fuel loadings.

Abstract: This invention relates to particle coaters and in particular to a method and apparatus for a circulating bed particle coater which is particularly adapted for coating small diameter particles.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for supporting the covering of a hunting blind on a boat, the frame structure including a pair of laterally adjustable U-shaped tubular frame members hingedly connected together. At least one of the tubular members being connected to, or received within a socket of a universal mount at each side of the boat. The socket is pivotably mounted on articulating brackets pivotably carried by a C-shaped clamp removeably clamped to each side wall of the boat and spanning the gunwales. The other of the tubular members includes members at the end thereof for abutting the gunwales spaced from the clamps. With this construction the tubualar frame members and thus the blind are readily collapsible and may be mounted and dismounted in a matter of minutes.

Abstract: A fish hook formed from an elongated wire having spears at each end and bent into a form such that the spears at opposite ends face toward each other and overlie the body of a lure mounted between a pair of prongs formed by bending the wire into a U-shape relative to the ends. A line attaching portion extends between the prongs spaced from the lure and includes a slip-ring slidably mounted thereon for fastening a fish line. In one embodiment the wire is a continuous member and the prongs are formed by bending the wire beneath the spears and back upon itself to form a limb at the end of the U-shape portion remote from the spears. In another form of the invention the hook may be formed from separate wire elements fused together and may include additional spears fused to the wire. A fish striking the lure or one of the spears results in a pivoting of the hook and lure about the slip-ring to impale the fish on one of the spears.

Abstract: Items are coated with substantially homogeneous pyrolytic carbon by first heating them to the desired temperature, e.g., about 1200.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. in a nonoxidizing atmosphere. A mixture of gas including an inert gas portion and a hydrocarbon portion is supplied to the heated enclosure at a rate so that the mixture approaches the temperature of the heated items and the hydrocarbon decomposes. The hydrocarbon portion includes between about 25 and about 60 volume percent acetylene and the remainder propylene. The exothermic characteristics of acetylene is such that the heat given off upon decomposition is sufficient to sustain the coating reaction.