Abstract: Packaging structures and systems are used for handling components for use in a nuclear reactor. The packaging protects the component during transport and handling and then dissolves in liquid in the nuclear reactor or fuel pool. The packaging need not be removed and may block flow paths or otherwise interfere with operability were it not for its dissolution. The packaging may include shock absorbers in a fuel assembly or a seal on a water rod in the assembly. Mechanical, frictional, or chemical retaining materials may be used to secure the packaging and may also dissolve in the liquid. For a light water reactor, polymers, protein gels, and plastics can all be used where they will dissolve in the water and are otherwise compatible with reactor chemistry and neutronics. Materials with higher temperatures for solubility may be used because they will dissolve when reactor operations commence.

Abstract: An electro-technical device, includes an input electrical connection supplied with an input signal and electrically isolated from an output electrical connection. A bar magnet is pivotally mounted on a pedicel between the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection. A pair of coils disposed on opposite sides of the bar magnet and each being supplied with an electronic signal from a sensor, the bar magnet being responsive to an electromagnetic filed generated by the pair of coils to cause the bar magnet to contact the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection and complete a circuit and send out a control signal.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first housing portion electrically isolated from a second housing portion with a point source being disposed within the first housing portion. A movable conductor is connected to the first portion and is responsive to an electric field generated by the point source to cause the movable conductor to contact the second housing portion to complete a circuit and send out a control signal.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a circuit including a coil connected to a voltage source for receiving a predetermined current therefrom and connected to an output device. The circuit includes a breakable junction and a photodiode for receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable. The photodiode receives a light signal from a sensor. A permanent magnet includes a pole end opposing a common pole end of the coil, wherein when the coil receives an increased current from the photodiode, the coil creates an magnetic flux that repels against the common pole of the permanent magnet in order to cause the breakable junction to break and disrupt a connection between the voltage source and the output device.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first coil connected to a first sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the first coil being anchored at first and second ends. A second coil is connected to a second sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the second coil being anchored at first and second ends and being adjacent to the first coil. When the first and second coils receive an increased current from the first and second sensors, the first and second coils each create a magnetic flux that repel one another in order to cause at least one of the coils to break so that a shutdown signal can be sent.

Abstract: Packaging structures and systems are used for handling components for use in a nuclear reactor. The packaging protects the component during transport and handling and then dissolves in liquid in the nuclear reactor or fuel pool. The packaging need not be removed, as so can block flow paths or otherwise interfere with operability were it not for its dissolution. The packaging may include shock absorbers in a fuel assembly or a seal on a water rod in the assembly. Mechanical, frictional, or chemical retaining materials may be used to secure the packaging and may also dissolve in the liquid. For a light water reactor, polymers, protein gels, and plastics can all be used where they will dissolve in the water and are otherwise compatible with reactor chemistry and neutronics. Materials with higher temperatures for solubility may be used because they will dissolve when reactor operations commence.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first housing portion electrically isolated from a second housing portion with a point source being disposed within the first housing portion. A movable conductor is connected to the first portion and is responsive to an electric field generated by the point source to cause the movable conductor to contact the second housing portion to complete a circuit and send out a control signal.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a first coil connected to a first sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the first coil being anchored at first and second ends. A second coil is connected to a second sensor for receiving a current therefrom representative of a sensed condition, the second coil being anchored at first and second ends and being adjacent to the first coil. When the first and second coils receive an increased current from the first and second sensors, the first and second coils each create a magnetic flux that repel one another in order to cause at least one of the coils to break so that a shutdown signal can be sent.

Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a circuit including a coil connected to a voltage source for receiving a predetermined current therefrom and connected to an output device. The circuit includes a breakable junction and a photodiode for receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable. The photodiode receives a light signal from a sensor. A permanent magnet includes a pole end opposing a common pole end of the coil, wherein when the coil receives an increased current from the photodiode, the coil creates an magnetic flux that repels against the common pole of the permanent magnet in order to cause the breakable junction to break and disrupt a connection between the voltage source and the output device.

Abstract: An electro-technical device, includes an input electrical connection supplied with an input signal and electrically isolated from an output electrical connection. A bar magnet is pivotally mounted on a pedicel between the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection. A pair of coils disposed on opposite sides of the bar magnet and each being supplied with an electronic signal from a sensor, the bar magnet being responsive to an electromagnetic filed generated by the pair of coils to cause the bar magnet to contact the input electrical connection and the output electrical connection and complete a circuit and send out a control signal.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor pressure vessel assembly includes a part in a reactor housing structure. The part includes a body a vibration absorber. The body includes an internal surface. The internal surface of the body defines at least one cavity that is not exposed to an environment external to the body. The vibration absorber includes at least one of a harmonic oscillator connected to the internal surface of the body or an external surface of the body, a shear multiplier in the at least one cavity, a hybrid mass-viscoelastic structure in the at least one cavity and not secured to the internal surface of the body, and a distributed damping structure incorporated into the body.

Abstract: A travel planner system automatically constructs itineraries with available seats for a traveler's trip request which conform to pre-stored reasonableness standards which include a satisfactory check on whether a connecting flight distance exceeds that of a possible direct flight by a preset distance or ratio. The system finds the fares in a process which includes constructing sum-of-segments fares for each such itinerary which are valid under all the applicable airline tariffs and rules, finds itinerary-with-fare combinations acceptable in terms of cost and convenience to the traveler in accordance with an individualized travel policy of the traveler, and displays at least some of the itineraries by departure or arrival time.

Abstract: A travel planner system automatically constructs itineraries with available seats for a traveler's trip request which conform to pre-stored reasonableness standards which includes a satisfactory check on whether a connecting flight distance exceeds that of a possible direct flight by a preset distance or ratio. The system finds the fares in a process which includes constructing sum-of-segments fares for each such itinerary which are valid under all the applicable airline tariffs and rules, finds itinerary-with-fare combinations acceptable in terms of cost and convenience to the traveler in accordance with an individualized travel policy of the traveller, and displays at least some of the itineraries by departure or arrival time.