Abstract: A decorative or structural panel is formed of an array of spheroids of transparent or translucent material held in place in a grid member. This can be front and back grid members with the spheroids sandwiched therebetween. The panel can employ a semirigid grid member, or the grid can be molded in place around the spheroids.

Abstract: A picture frame has a front frame member, with a central picture opening. A cast zinc one-piece picture holder is secured to the frame member with double-sided tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of performing a calibration of the accuracy of placement of semiconductor chips or devices by a pick-and-place machine. The chips are placed on an adhesive-backed glass plate that has calibrated etch marks whose dimensions are chosen to aid the inspector in estimating, or carefully measuring in an optic comparator, the amount of placement error that the machine is causing. The calibration would be performed on a periodic basis as a preventive maintenance program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically performing a calibration of the accuracy of placement of semiconductor chips or devices by a pick-and-place machine. The parts are placed on an adhesive-backed glass plate that has calibrated black marks whose dimensions match those of a specific part lead footprint. A gray scale camera mounted on the machine above the inverted glass plate records and sends a signal to a machine computer identifying the coordinates of exposed part silver lead area. The computer calculates part placement error and sends error data to a CRT or camera screen and alarm to alert an operator.

Abstract: A picture frame has a front grid member and a back grid member, with an arrangement of marbles or similar spheres or spheroids retained between the grid members at a central picture opening. A cast zinc one-piece picture holder is secured in place with double-sided tape.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for removing and replacing the hold down beams of fluid circulating jet pumps mounted in a nuclear reactor. The disclosed process and apparatus are operable from a position such as the refueling bridge remote from the reactor and while the refueling cavity surrounding the reactor is flooded with moderator fluid.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for removing and replacing the hold down beams of fluid circulating jet pumps mounted in a nuclear reactor. The disclosed process and apparatus are operable from a position such as the refueling bridge remote from the reactor and while the refueling cavity surrounding the reactor is flooded with moderator fluid.

Abstract: A replacement station includes an old split-pin-assembly (OSPA) removal stand and a new split-pin-assembly (NSPA) installation stand. The removal stand includes a saw and a drill. With the guide tube to which the OSPA is secured in the removal stand, the saw severs each OSPA below the flange which engages the base of the lower counterbore in the lower guide tube (LGT) separating the OSPA into a pin fragment and a second fragment including the flange and the remainder of the split-pin with the nut threaded into it. The second fragment remains secured to the LGT after the sawing operation. The guide tube is rotated so that the drill is coaxial with the shank of the pin of the second fragment. The second fragment is separated into a third fragment including the flange and a fourth fragment including the remainder of the pin and the nut both removable from the LGT. The installation stand has NSPA blades in which the new split pins are mounted. The LGT sans the OSPA's is positioned on the installation stand.

Abstract: The guide tube is mounted on a fixture with the split-pins of each old split-pin assembly straddling a knife edge. The nut of each old split-pin assembly is engaged by a socket of a wrench and a high torque is impressed on the nut. The torque is of sufficient magnitude to shear the weld by which the nut is joined to the split-pin and/or to shear the pin particularly at the edge of a keyway where a button to which the weld is joined is engaged. The knife edge which each split-pin straddles prevents the pin from turning under the torque applied to the nut. After the weld or the pin is sheared the nut or the nut and the pin fragment joined to it is unthreaded from the pin or pin fragment and the separated parts are disposed of. Typically the nut of an old split-pin assembly has diametrically cut slots in its wall. The socket of the wrench is provided with projections which engage the nut in the slots. The torque is applied to the nut through these projections.

Abstract: The old split-pin assemblies of the lower guide tube of a nuclear reactor are replaced by new split-pin assemblies in a robotic work station under a pool of water. The work station includes a plurality of robotic tools which are remotely actuable from a robotic command center outside of the pool to position the guide tube precisely for a replacement operation, to fragment the old split-pin assemblies and dispose of the fragments under water, and to install a new split-pin assembly. The lower-guide-tube positioning means has a hydraulic cylinder, also remotely actuable externally to the pool, for rotating the guide tube so that it may be oriented properly to be processed by different tools in succession and also so that both split-pin assemblies in each guide tube may be replaced by the same set of tools.