Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated head package for a nuclear power generation system, the integrated head package comprising a closure head, and a control rod drive mechanism housed within a shroud. The control rod drive mechanism comprises at least one drive rod extending through the closure head and having a coupling element for releasably coupling to a control rod assembly within a reactor core. The at least one drive rod is movable to a maintenance/refuelling position in which the at least one drive rod is uncoupled from the control rod assembly and at least partially retracted into the integrated head package. The integrated head package further comprises at least one engagement feature for securing the at least one drive rod in the maintenance/refuelling position.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lifting and transport device for lifting upper internals from a reactor core of a nuclear power generation system in a deployment location and transporting them to a storage location. The lifting/transport device comprises a device body formed of radioactive shielding material, the device body defining a storage chamber having an open base. The device further comprises a movable sealing plate formed of radioactive shielding material, the sealing plate being movable between an open position in which the storage chamber is open and a closed position in which the storage chamber is sealed. There is also a lifting system mounted within the storage chamber having a lifting rig for releasable connection to the upper internals and configured to raise the upper internals to within the storage chamber when the device is in the deployment location and the plate is in the open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nuclear power generation system comprising a reactor vessel comprising a body defining a cavity housing a reactor core, and an integrated head package having a closure head for closing an opening to the cavity. The system also comprises a containment structure having a working floor surrounding and substantially vertically aligned with the opening to the cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lifting device for lifting a closure head assembly from a reactor vessel body in a nuclear power generation system. The lifting device comprises at least one lifting element having an engagement surface configured to engage an underside surface of the closure head assembly. The at least one lifting element is axially adjustable in height between a retracted position in which its axial height is such that the closure head assembly seals against the body of the reactor vessel and an extended position in which its axial height is such that the closure head assembly is raised above the body of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Certain disclosed method embodiments concern performing a stalk puncture test to determine force and displacement data. Plant features, such as rind thickness, stalk radius, stalk diameter, section modulus and/or integrative puncture score, primarily applicable to corn, sorghum, sunflower, wheat or rice, can be calculated using the force and displacement data. The calculated plant features are used to select plants for selective breeding to produce lodging-resistant crop hybrids. The present invention also provides embodiments of a hand-held puncture device that can be used to practice disclosed method embodiments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refuelling device for lifting a fuel rod assembly from a reactor core of a nuclear power generation system in a deployment location and transporting it to a storage location. The refuelling device comprises a device body having an open base and defining a chamber for housing a coolant. A sealing plate is movable between an open position in which the chamber is open and a closed position in which the chamber is sealed. The device further comprises a shielding element formed of radioactive shielding material and moveably mounted within the chamber. It has a storage cavity having an open lower end, the shielding element being movable between a retracted position in which it is fully contained within the chamber and an extended position in which it extends from the chamber through the open base of the device body.

Abstract: A pressure-containing silo for one or more components on a primary coolant circuit of a nuclear reactor having nuclear fuel assemblies cooled by coolant circulating the primary coolant circuit, the silo defining a release space which, in a loss-of-coolant accident releasing the pressurised coolant water from the one or more components therein, receives and contains the released water and steam, at increasing pressure, formed therefrom; wherein the silo is formed from plural, substantially identical, stacked and joined modular units, each having: a concrete body, a metal liner which lines a surface of the concrete body, and which, when the units are stacked and joined, is sealed edge-to-edge with metal liners of neighbouring units forming an inward-facing, pressure-containing skin surrounding the release space, and plural conduits which, when the units are stacked, align with the conduits of neighbouring units to receive elongate tensioning members for post-stressing the concrete of the bodies.

Abstract: A rotorcraft that utilizes both a main compound rotor and a plurality of tiltrotors is disclosed. The main rotor and the thrusters can provide vertical lift for vertical take-off and landing of the rotorcraft. The thrusters of the rotorcraft can articulate to a horizontal position to facilitate horizontal flight. The main rotor of the rotorcraft can continue to provide vertical lift for the rotorcraft in horizontal flight, as well as operate in an autorotation mode. In the event of a failure of the main power source of the rotorcraft, the main rotor in autorotation mode can safety land the rotorcraft. In the autorotation mode, the main rotor can create electrical energy that is stored in a battery and can be used to power the plurality of thrusters. The rotorcraft can also be configured in an anti-torque mode, where the thrusters cancel out the torque of the main rotor.

Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.

Abstract: A rotorcraft that utilizes both a main compound rotor and a plurality of tiltrotors is disclosed. The main rotor and the thrusters can provide vertical lift for vertical take-off and landing of the rotorcraft. The thrusters of the rotorcraft can articulate to a horizontal position to facilitate horizontal flight. The main rotor of the rotorcraft can continue to provide vertical lift for the rotorcraft in horizontal flight, as well as operate in an autorotation mode. In the event of a failure of the main power source of the rotorcraft, the main rotor in autorotation mode can safety land the rotorcraft. In the autorotation mode, the main rotor can create electrical energy that is stored in a battery and can be used to power the plurality of thrusters. The rotorcraft can also be configured in an anti-torque mode, where the thrusters cancel out the torque of the main rotor.

Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.

Abstract: Certain disclosed method embodiments concern performing a stalk puncture test to determine force and displacement data. Plant features, such as rind thickness, stalk radius, stalk diameter, section modulus and/or integrative puncture score, primarily applicable to corn, sorghum, sunflower, wheat or rice, can be calculated using the force and displacement data. The calculated plant features are used to select plants for selective breeding to produce lodging-resistant crop hybrids. The present invention also provides embodiments of a hand-held puncture device that can be used to practice disclosed method embodiments.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.

Abstract: In an inductively coupled power transmitter a force detector that detects the presence of a potential device by monitoring forces applied to a surface of the power transmitter and activates the inductively coupled power transmitter upon detection of a potential device. An inductively coupled power transmitter having a proximity detector that detects the presence and location of a potential device by monitoring the proximity of devices to a surface of the power transmitter and activates the inductively coupled power transmitter upon detection of a potential device. The transmitter preferably has one or more detection coils each having an area much greater than that of the transmitter coils for detecting the presence of a potential device.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.

Abstract: In an inductively coupled power transmitter a force detector that detects the presence of a potential device by monitoring forces applied to a surface of the power transmitter and activates the inductively coupled power transmitter upon detection of a potential device. An inductively coupled power transmitter having a proximity detector that detects the presence and location of a potential device by monitoring the proximity of devices to a surface of the power transmitter and activates the inductively coupled power transmitter upon detection of a potential device. The transmitter preferably has one or more detection coils each having an area much greater than that of the transmitter coils for detecting the presence of a potential device.

Abstract: A rotorcraft that utilizes both a main compound rotor and a plurality of tiltrotors is disclosed. The main rotor and the thrusters can provide vertical lift for vertical take-off and landing of the rotorcraft. The thrusters of the rotorcraft can articulate to a horizontal position to facilitate horizontal flight. The main rotor of the rotorcraft can continue to provide vertical lift for the rotorcraft in horizontal flight, as well as operate in an autorotation mode. In the event of a failure of the main power source of the rotorcraft, the main rotor in autorotation mode can safety land the rotorcraft. In the autorotation mode, the main rotor can create electrical energy that is stored in a battery and can be used to power the plurality of thrusters. The rotorcraft can also be configured in an anti-torque mode, where the thrusters cancel out the torque of the main rotor.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer receiver is provided including a receiving coil (13) in series with a capacitor (14), a voltage multiplier (15) for providing a DC output, and a power control switch (18) controlled by a controller (19) for regulating the power supplied to a load. An inductive power transfer receiver is provided including a receiving coil in series with a capacitor, a charge pump for providing a DC output, and a power control switch controlled by a controller for regulating the power supplied to a load. A method of power flow control in an inductive power transfer circuit having a power control switch is also provided. The method includes detecting two operational transitions in the circuit and determining a reference timing bases on which operational transition is detected earliest within a detection window. The reference timing is used to developing a signal for controlling the power control switch.

Abstract: A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module includes providing formwork defining a chamber in which is mounted a nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear reactor pressure vessel configured to contain nuclear fuel when in use, the formwork being housed within a containment structure configured to contain an internal pressure generated by an escape of coolant from a reactor coolant circuit. The method further includes filling one or more voids within the formwork with concrete through at least one concrete supply pipe that extends from outside of the containment structure, through the containment structure, and to the formwork; and venting the one or more voids within the formwork through one or more vent pipes, thereby forming a concrete support structure for the nuclear reactor.