Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy from a primary reactor coolant to a secondary coolant. The heat exchanger is formed with a hot flow channel, a cold flow channel, and a porous layer between the hot flow channel and the cold flow channel. The porous layer may be thermally insulative to reduce the efficiency of thermal energy transfer from the hot flow channel to the cold flow channel. The porous layer may have a control gas passed therethrough that can be tailored to control the thermal energy transfer through the porous layer. The control gas can be tested for leakage within the heat exchanger. The control gas may also be used to sequester fission or activation products.

Abstract: A system includes any number of solid-state circuit breakers that couple between a power supply and an electrical load. The system also includes a housing and the solid-state circuit breakers are disposed within the housing. The housing includes a door sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a position of a door of the housing. The housing also includes an indicator that generates a second signal indicative of a position of a handle of the housing. The system also includes a secondary device communicatively coupled to the solid-state circuit breakers, the door sensor, and the indicator. The secondary device receives the first signal and the second signal and generates an instruction to adjust an operating state of the solid-state circuit breakers based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Titanium alloys with an improved and unexpected combination of corrosion resistance, strength, ductility and toughness are provided. The titanium alloys contain molybdenum, nickel, zirconium, iron, and oxygen as alloying agents. Also the titanium alloys may be subjected to thermal treatments. The titanium alloys can include molybdenum between 3.0 to 4.5 wt. %, nickel between 0.1 to 1.0 wt. %, zirconium between 0.1 to 1.5 wt. %, iron between 0.05 to 0.3 wt. %, oxygen between 0.05 to 0.25 wt. %, and a balance of titanium and unavoidable impurities. The titanium alloys can have a yield strength between 550 to 750 MPa, a tensile strength between 700 to 900 MPa, an elongation to failure between 25 to 35%, a reduction in area between 55 to 70%, and a corrosion rate between 0.5 to 2.5 mils per year when exposed to 1 wt. % boiling hydrochloric acid per the ASTM G-31 test method.

Abstract: Titanium alloys with an improved and unexpected combination of corrosion resistance, strength, ductility and toughness are provided. The titanium alloys contain molybdenum, nickel, zirconium, iron, and oxygen as alloying agents. Also the titanium alloys may be subjected to thermal treatments. The titanium alloys can include molybdenum between 3.0 to 4.5 wt. %, nickel between 0.1 to 1.0 wt. %, zirconium between 0.1 to 1.5 wt. %, iron between 0.05 to 0.3 wt. %, oxygen between 0.05 to 0.25 wt. %, and a balance of titanium and unavoidable impurities. The titanium alloys can have a yield strength between 550 to 750 MPa, a tensile strength between 700 to 900 MPa, an elongation to failure between 25 to 35%, a reduction in area between 55 to 70%, and a corrosion rate between 0.5 to 2.5 mils per year when exposed to 1 wt. % boiling hydrochloric acid per the ASTM G-31 test method.

Abstract: A power line puller control package facilitates the installation of conductor or high tension power lines by directing the conductor or high tension line removal from at least one supply reel at a substantially stable rate, while adjusting the speed of the drum to the amount of the rope or cable on the at least one holding drum, to facilitate manufacturing, installation or use of the high tension power line at a substantially constant speed and tension.

Abstract: A titanium article having improved corrosion resistance resulting from a direct or indirect attachment of a platinum group metal or alloy thereof or incorporation of this metal or alloy thereof into a minor surface portion of the article.

Abstract: A titanium article having improved corrosion resistance resulting from a direct or indirect attachment of a platinum group metal or alloy thereof or incorporation of this metal or alloy thereof into a minor surface portion of the article.

Abstract: The present invention is a tape feeding device with splicing capabilities for reliably conveying parts to a pickup location for attachment to a substrate using a pick and place machine, including an extensible carrier tape reel support, a system for sensing the fill state of a carrier tape take-up reel, and a split hub take-up reel design to facilitate the removal of carrier tape therefrom.

Abstract: A titanium article having improved corrosion resistance resulting from an appliqué of a platinum group metal or alloy thereof attached to a minor surface portion of the article.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: The present invention is a tape feeding device with splicing capabilities for reliably conveying parts to a pickup location for attachment to a substrate using a pick and place machine, including an extensible carrier tape reel support, a system for sensing the state of a carrier tape take-up reel, and a split hub take-up reel design to facilitate the removal of carrier tape therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for parting and peeling-back the cover tape on a carrier tape (consisting of a component tape with pockets therein and cover tape thereover) in order to expose the component for retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is parted along one edge, or slit in the middle for wider component tapes. The cover tape flap(s) created by the parting operation are then retracted back away from the region above the component, whereby the component is exposed for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location the carrier tape, with the parted cover tape flap(s) still attached thereto, is directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism, avoiding the need for a separate cover tape take-up reel.

Abstract: Porous bodies are produced which are suitable for use as supports for catalysts, including living cells, such as bacteria and which are upset resistant to acids and bases. The bodies have a significantly large average pore diameter of about 0.5 to 100 microns, (i.e. 5,000 to 1,000,000 .ANG.) and a total pore volume of about 0.1 to 1.5 cc/g with the large pores contributing a pore volume of from about 0.1 to 1.0 cc/g. The bodies are made by preparing a mixture of ultimate particles containing a zeolite and one or more optional ingredients such as inorganic binders, extrusion or forming aids, burnout agents, or a forming liquid, such as water. In a preferred embodiment, the ultimate particles are formed by spray drying.

Abstract: A punch press machine for punching a series of holes in a cylindrical work piece has a main frame, a clamping fixture for holding the work piece, and a punch press frame having a horizontal moving punch and a die for receiving the punch. The clamping fixture is moveable relative to the main frame along a first horizontal axis and the punch press frame is moveable relative to the main frame along a second vertical axis for lowering the punch and die into a punching position with the punch on one side of the work piece and the die on the other side of the work piece.

Abstract: An incubator assembly useful in a clinical analyzer having at least two incubators, each having a rotationally driven rotor assembly having a plurality of slide element holding stations, which incubators are stacked one above the other to define a substantially vertical arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, in which the incubators are of varying size, the smaller rotor assembly is horizontally offset so that the outside diameter of each rotor assembly is coincident in one location, preferably an input station, so that slide elements can be loaded into and removed more conveniently from either rotor assembly.

Abstract: An incubator and its cover are provided for an analyzer, and especially a mechanism for raising and lowering the cover. Such a mechanism includes a connector between the cover and incubator that allows the cover to be raised to a superimposed position, but not rotated. A pivot pin is mounted directly between the connector and the cover so that the cover can be pivoted relative to the connector to complete exposure of the incubator for access. A latch is provided on the connector for automatically latching the cover in the raised position as soon as the cover is pivoted in the plane at least part way from the superimposed position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for stabilizing a work piece of ring configuration on a base. The apparatus has a first ring fixed to the base and frictionally positioned within the work piece. A second ring has a portion within the other end of the work piece and a portion covering the other end of the work piece. A plurality of hold downs are connected to a base via hydraulic cylinders and are positioned about the work piece and have arms with rollers attached thereto. In response to actuation of the cylinders, the rollers are automatically swung into position over the second ring and the rollers forcibly urge the second ring and work piece in a direction toward the base.

Abstract: Porous bodies are produced which are suitable for use as supports for catalysts, including living cells, such as bacteria and which are upset resistant to acids and bases. The bodies have a significantly large average pore diameter of about 0.5 to 100 microns, (i.e. 5,000 to 1,000,000 .ANG.) and a total pore volume of about 0.1 to 1.5 cc/g with the large pores contributing a pore volume of from about 0.1 to 1.0 cc/g. The bodies are made by preparing a mixture of ultimate particles containing a zeolite and one or more optional ingredients such as inorganic binders, extrusion or forming aids, burnout agents, or a forming liquid, such as water. In a preferred embodiment, the ultimate particles are formed by spray drying.

Abstract: Porous bodies are produced which are suitable for use as supports for catalysts, including living cells, such as bacteria and which are upset resistant to acids and bases. The bodies have a significantly large average pore diameter of about 0.5 to 100 microns, (i.e. 5,000 to 1,000,000 .ANG.) and a total pore volume of about 0.1 to 1.5 cc/g with the large pores contributing a pore volume of from about 0.1 to 1.0 cc/g. The bodies are made by preparing a mixture of ultimate particles containing a zeolite and one or more optional ingredients such as inorganic binders, extrusion or forming aids, burnout agents, or a forming liquid, such as water. Incorporated into the support is activated carbon which provides improved properties. In a preferred embodiment, the ultimate particles are formed by spray drying.