Abstract: A debris exclusion and retention device traps and retains foreign material within the lower tie plate of the fuel assembly utilizing the existing flow paths within the lower tie plate, and without redirecting coolant flow. Flow through the inlet nozzle of the lower tie plate into an enlarged lower tie plate housing creates strong jet impingement against the center of the lower tie plate grid or debris filter, if present, which has a tendency to push debris to the periphery of the lower tie plate. Low flow zones around the periphery of the lower tie plate allow debris to fall back toward the inlet nozzle. The retention device traps and retains debris in these low flow zones without impacting existing flow patterns in the lower tie plate. Thus, the retention device has minimal or no impact on lower tie plate pressure drop.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to tie plate attachments having irradiation targets and/or fuel assemblies having example embodiment tie plate attachments with irradiation targets and methods of using the same to generate radioisotopes. Example embodiment tie plate attachments may include a plurality of retention bores that permit irradiation targets to be contained in the retention bores. Irradiation targets may be irradiated in an operating nuclear core including the fuel assemblies, generating radioisotopes that may be harvested from the spent nuclear fuel assembly by removing example embodiment tie plate attachments.

Abstract: Fuel spacers include at least one specialized bathtub on an outer perimeter band. Specialized bathtubs include an elastic resistive extension and a corresponding deflection limiter on a same outer face of the perimeter band. The elastic resistive extension provides flexible resistance to the channel, and the deflection limiter provides rigid movement limitation beyond a particular threshold between channel and spacer. The positioning, spring constant, length, number, and other properties of the specialized bathtub can be chosen based on the desired fuel assembly properties and expected transverse loads in fuel shipping and operation against which specialized bathtubs resiliently protect. The specialized bathtubs can be formed from a simplified stamp operation out of the perimeter band. Bathtubs can be placed on any position(s) on the perimeter band of example embodiment spacers used in nuclear fuel assemblies.

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: A laryngoscope assembly with enhanced viewing capability including a laryngoscope handle having a permanently mounted laryngoscope optical system. The laryngoscope optical system has a view tube with a leading aperture lens for affording a field of view along a deflected line of sight viewing in an operative intubation position. The laryngoscope handle includes a laryngoscope optical system securing arrangement for mechanically securing the laryngoscope optical system in the operative intubation position. The laryngoscope assembly also includes an interchangeable laryngoscope blade including a trailing view tube sleeve for slidably mounting on the view tube and a leading spatula wherein the view tube sleeve has a leading transparent window for covering the aperture lens. The laryngoscope assembly further includes a blade securing arrangement for mechanically securing the laryngoscope blade on the laryngoscope handle in the operative intubation position.

Abstract: A shipping container is constructed for shipping channeled fuel bundle assemblies. The shipping container includes an outer container, an inner container sized to fit within the outer container, and shock absorbing material disposed at least between the outer and inner containers. The inner container is shaped to house at least one pre-channeled fuel bundle assembly including a channel, a channel fastener, and an array of fuel rods supported by grid spacers between an upper tie plate and a lower tie plate. The inner container includes a lower tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the lower tie plate and a lower portion of the channel, and an upper tie plate restraint device shaped to receive the upper tie plate and an upper portion of the channel and channel fastener assembly. The lower and upper tie plate restraint devices are lockable within the inner shipping container.

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: A method of aligning a nuclear fuel bundle and handling selected fuel rods within the fuel bundle located in a spent fuel pool of a nuclear power plant. The bundle includes water rods, full-length and part-length fuel rods extending through a plurality of fuel spacers provided between top and bottom ends of the bundle, each spacer having a plurality of cells accommodating corresponding fuel and water rods. The method includes insertion of a rod grapple tool into a top end of a fuel bundle and down to a desired location within the bundle. A guide pin retrieval tool inserts into a side of the fuel bundle to remove a guide pin from a distal end of a gripper of the rod grapple tool, allowing the guide pin retrieval tool to grip a part-length fuel rod within the fuel bundle.

Abstract: A multi-die package has a plurality of leads and first and second semiconductor dies in superimposition and bonded together defining a die stack. The die stack has opposed first and second sides, with each of the first and second semiconductor dies having gate, drain and source regions, and gate, drain and source contacts. The first opposed side has the drain contact of the second semiconductor die, which is in electrical communication with a first set of the plurality of leads. The gate, drain and source contacts of the first semiconductor die and the gate and source contacts of the second semiconductor die are disposed on the second of said opposed sides and in electrical communication with a second set of the plurality of leads. The lead for the source of the first semiconductor die may be the same as the lead for the drain of the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers.

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: A laryngoscope assembly with enhanced viewing capability including a laryngoscope handle having a permanently mounted laryngoscope optical system. The laryngoscope optical system has a view tube with a leading aperture lens for affording a field of view along a deflected line of sight viewing in an operative intubation position. The laryngoscope handle includes a laryngoscope optical system securing arrangement for mechanically securing the laryngoscope optical system in the operative intubation position. The laryngoscope assembly also includes an interchangeable laryngoscope blade including a trailing view tube sleeve for slidably mounting on the view tube and a leading spatula wherein the view tube sleeve has a leading transparent window for covering the aperture lens. The laryngoscope assembly further includes a blade securing arrangement for mechanically securing the laryngoscope blade on the laryngoscope handle in the operative intubation position.

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: A debris exclusion and retention device traps and retains foreign material within the lower tie plate of the fuel assembly utilizing the existing flow paths within the lower tie plate, and without redirecting coolant flow. Flow through the inlet nozzle of the lower tie plate into an enlarged lower tie plate housing creates strong jet impingement against the center of the lower tie plate grid or debris filter, if present, which has a tendency to push debris to the periphery of the lower tie plate. Low flow zones around the periphery of the lower tie plate allow debris to fall back toward the inlet nozzle. The retention device traps and retains debris in these low flow zones without impacting existing flow patterns in the lower tie plate. Thus, the retention device has minimal or no impact on lower tie plate pressure drop.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel bundle confinement system including: a fuel bundle with an upper tie plate; a channel enclosing the fuel bundle; a handle for the fuel bundle extending above the fuel bundle; an upper fuel particle barrier positioned over the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, wherein the fuel particle barrier has a permeable panel at least co-extensive with an open area of the upper tie plate; a slot in the permeable panel through which passes the handle, and a closure device on the fuel particle barrier having a closed position which covers the slot and an open position that leaves the slot open; a lower fuel particle barrier positioned over the lower tie plate and below the fuel rods, wherein the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly is grasped by the lower fuel particle barrier.

Abstract: A multi-die package has a plurality of leads and first and second semiconductor dies in superimposition and bonded together defining a die stack. The die stack has opposed first and second sides, with each of the first and second semiconductor dies having gate, drain and source regions, and gate, drain and source contacts. The first opposed side has the drain contact of the second semiconductor die, which is in electrical communication with a first set of the plurality of leads. The gate, drain and source contacts of the first semiconductor die and the gate and source contacts of the second semiconductor die are disposed on the second of said opposed sides and in electrical communication with a second set of the plurality of leads. The lead for the source of the first semiconductor die may be the same as the lead for the drain of the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring perpendicularity of an upper tie plate of a nuclear fuel bundle includes a first comb having a first plurality of teeth; a second comb having a second plurality of teeth, the second comb being parallel to and spaced from the first comb; a comb connector that connects the first comb to the second comb, the comb connector having a second end extending beyond the first comb; a rigid finger provided at the second end of the comb connector; a rotatable gage provided on the second comb; and a mobile finger operatively connected to the gage.

Abstract: A tool to slide a channel on a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly, the tool includes: a plate having a slot to receive a handle of the fuel bundle and a lower surface that engages an upper edge of the channel; at least one post extends up from the plate, and an arm is attached to a pivot on the post and includes a first end to receive a downward force and a second end adapted to engage the handle of the fuel bundle to apply an upward force to the handle and push down on the channel.

Abstract: A method of aligning a nuclear fuel bundle and handling selected fuel rods within the fuel bundle located in a spent fuel pool of a nuclear power plant. The bundle includes water rods, full-length and part-length fuel rods extending through a plurality of fuel spacers provided between top and bottom ends of the bundle, each spacer having a plurality of cells accommodating corresponding fuel and water rods. The method includes insertion of a rod grapple tool into a top end of a fuel bundle and down to a desired location within the bundle. A guide pin retrieval tool inserts into a side of the fuel bundle to remove a guide pin from a distal end of a gripper of the rod grapple tool, allowing the guide pin retrieval tool to grip a part-length fuel rod within the fuel bundle.