Abstract: An improved child safety seat buckling system and method of using the same for facilitating placement of a child into a child safety seat is disclosed. A series of slots or fasteners placed on the lift bar or handle of the child seat are fitted to interface with buckle end portions of a harness assembly. By securing components of the harness assembly away from the seating area, placement of a child into the seat prior to securing the child into the seat becomes easier. Less time is required to secure the child into the safety seat, and the need for a parent to lean the child forward while securing the child into the seat is eliminated.

Abstract: In a method of producing isotopes in a light water power reactor, one or more targets within the reactor may be irradiated under a neutron flux to produce one or more isotopes. The targets may be assembled into one or more fuel bundles that are to be loaded in a core of the reactor at a given outage. Power operations in the reactor irradiate the fuel bundles so as to generate desired isotopes, such as one or more radioisotopes at a desired specific activity or stable isotopes at a desired concentration.

Abstract: A fuel bundle for a nuclear reactor core is provided. The fuel bundle may include a plurality of rods comprised of nuclear fuel rods and/or isotope production rods. Each rod includes a plurality of interconnected rod segments, wherein at least two of the rod segments of at least one rod have different outside diameters. The fuel bundle may additionally include a plurality of rod spacer grids securely retained between axially adjacent, interconnected rod segments. The rod spacer grids interconnected between axially adjacent rod segments form an array of substantially equally spaced rods. The fuel bundle may further include an elongate tubular channel in which the arrayed rods are housed.

Abstract: Provided is an isotope delivery system and a method for irradiating a target and delivering the target to an extraction point. The isotope delivery system may include a cable including at least one target for irradiation, a drive system configured for moving the cable, and a first guide configured to guide the cable for insertion and extraction from a nuclear reactor. The method for irradiating a target and delivering a target may include pushing a cable with an attached target through a first guide and into a nuclear reactor using a drive system, irradiating the target in the nuclear reactor, pulling the cable with the attached irradiated target towards the drive system, pushing the cable with the irradiated target towards a loading/unloading area using the drive system, and placing the irradiated target into a transfer cask, wherein the cable is pulled and pushed by the drive system.

Abstract: In a method of producing isotopes in a light water power reactor, one or more targets within the reactor may be irradiated under a neutron flux to produce one or more isotopes. The targets may be assembled into one or more fuel bundles that are to be loaded in a core of the reactor at a given outage. Power operations in the reactor irradiate the fuel bundles so as to generate desired isotopes, such as one or more radioisotopes at a desired specific activity or stable isotopes at a desired concentration.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a fuel rod having end pieces on either end containing irradiation targets. Example embodiment end pieces may contain materials that may be converted to desired isotopes when exposed to neutron flux encountered at the end piece position. Example embodiment end pieces may be fabricated from the materials or may otherwise house the materials. Example embodiment end pieces may mate with a variety of full-length and/or part-length fuel rods and may function as upper and/or lower end plugs, mating the fuel rods to upper and/or lower tie plates.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a fuel rod having end pieces on either end containing irradiation targets. Example embodiment end pieces may contain materials that may be converted to desired isotopes when exposed to neutron flux encountered at the end piece position. Example embodiment end pieces may be fabricated from the materials or may otherwise house the materials. Example embodiment end pieces may mate with a variety of full-length and/or part-length fuel rods and may function as upper and/or lower end plugs, mating the fuel rods to upper and/or lower tie plates.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods for producing radioisotopes in instrumentation tubes of operating commercial nuclear reactors. Irradiation targets may be inserted and removed from instrumentation tubes during operation and converted to radioisotopes otherwise unavailable from nuclear reactors. Example apparatuses may continuously insert, remove, and store irradiation targets to be converted to useable radioisotopes.

Abstract: Example embodiments may include a nuclear fuel rod and/or segment design using fuel element spacers. Fuel element spacers may be placed at intervals within fuel rods and/or segments in order to manipulate operating characteristics of the fuel rods and/or segments and/or decrease consequences of fretting of the fuel rod and/or segment. Example methods may include using fuel rods and/or segments having fuel element spacing elements by adjusting intervals of the spacing elements so as to affect the mechanical, neutronic, and/or thermal properties of the fuel rod and/or segment.

Abstract: A rod assembly for a fuel bundle of a nuclear reactor may include an upper end piece, lower end piece and a plurality of rod segments attached between the upper and lower end pieces and to each other so as to form an axial length of the rod assembly. The rod assembly may include an adaptor subassembly provided at given connection points for connecting adjacent rod segments or a given rod segment with one of the upper and lower end pieces. The connection points along the axial length of the rod assembly may be located where the rod assembly contacts a spacer in the fuel bundle. One (or more) of the rod segments may include an irradiation target therein for producing a desired isotope when a fuel bundle containing one (or more) rod assemblies is irradiated in a core of the reactor.

Abstract: A microcapsule comprising A) a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax, B) a polymeric shell comprising a) a polymer formed from a monomer mixture containing: i) 1 to 95% by weight of a hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, ii) 5 to 99% by weight of a polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and iii) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer, and b) a further hydrophobic polymer which is insoluble in the hydrophobic liquid or wax. The invention includes a process for the manufacture of particles and the use of particles in articles, such as fabrics, and coating compositions, especially for textiles.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods have cladding or fuel with physical parameters that substantially change based on axial position within a rod. Parameters include inner and outer cladding and fuel diameters or widths, volume, mass, internal volume, thickness, rod width, etc. Parameters are selected and implemented based on calculated operating conditions and/or desired fuel response at an axial position across an entire rod length and/or fuel assembly position, including both fueled regions and non-fueled zones. Desired parameters can be achieved through fabrication or later alterations. Parameter variations versus axial position and fuel assembly position are intentional and achieve desired fuel properties and responses, such as optimized fuel mass, pressure drop, over-pressurization protection, etc. Fuel rods can be compatible with existing fuel types and replace conventional fuel rods therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor die package is disclosed. It includes a leadframe structure comprising a first die attach pad and a second die attach pad. A plurality of leads extend from the first and second die attach pads. The plurality of leads includes at least a first control lead and a second control lead. A first semiconductor die including a first device is mounted on the first die attach pad, and a second semiconductor die has a second device is mounted on the second die attach pad. A housing is provided in the semiconductor die package and protects the first and second dies. The housing may have an exterior surface and at least partially covers the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The first control lead and the second control lead are at opposite sides of the semiconductor die package.

Abstract: The present invention related to (micro-or nano-) capsules that have two different functional groups on the outer shell of the particles that allow deposition onto the textile surfaces (i.e. exhibit substantivity) and subsequent covalent bonding of the particles onto the textile (i.e. are reactive towards the fiber).

Abstract: A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed.

Abstract: A microcapsule comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax and a polymeric shell formed from: i) 1 to 20% by weight of polymerizable silane compound, ii) 1 to 94% by weight of hydrophobic mono functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, iii) 5 to 98% by weight of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and iv) 0 to 60% by weight of other mono functional monomer(s), wherein components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) total 100%, and in which the microcapsule also includes a hydrophilic polymer which is covalently bonded to the microcapsule. The invention includes a process for the manufacture of particles and the use of particles in articles, such as fabrics, and coating compositions, especially for textiles.

Abstract: A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that allows for simultaneously assembling or disassembling multiple segmented nuclear fuel rods (hereinafter “segmented rods”). An embodiment of the present invention, may receive, secure, and move the segmented rods into a position that allows for performing the tasks of either assembly or disassembly, allowing for an operator to use a tool to complete the aforementioned tasks.

Abstract: A microcapsule comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax within a polymeric shell, in which solid particles insoluble in the hydrophobic liquid or wax are distributed throughout the core, wherein an oil soluble dispersant polymer is adhered to the surface of the solid insoluble particles. Processes of obtaining the microcapsules and dispersions of microcapsules in a liquid are claimed. The microcapsules can be used in a variety of applications particularly in the field of thermal energy storage. Suitably the microcapsules can be designed to have a particular density and can be used in the transfer fluids where the density of the microcapsules are the same as the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for generating desired isotopes within water rods of nuclear fuel assemblies. Example methods may include selecting a desired irradiation target based on the target's properties, loading the target into a target rod based on irradiation target and fuel assembly properties, exposing the target rod to neutron flux, and/or harvesting isotopes produced from the irradiation target from the target rod. Example embodiment target rods may house one or more irradiation targets of varying types and phases. Example embodiment securing devices include a ledge collar and/or bushing that support target rods within a water rod and permit moderator/coolant flow through the water rod. Other example embodiment securing devices include one or more washers with one or more apertures drilled therein to hold one or more example embodiment target rods in a water rod while permitting coolant/moderator to flow through the water rod.