Abstract: Fuel, heat exchangers, and instrumentation for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes a plurality of nuclear fuel elements, each of the nuclear fuel elements including an annulus; and a plurality of heat pipes, each of the plurality of heat pipes configured to pass through the annulus of a respective one of the nuclear fuel elements in conductive thermal contact with the respective nuclear fuel element. A nuclear instrumentation module includes an assembly of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising one or more sensors and configured for removable installation at one of the plurality of heat pipes. A heat exchanger includes a heat pipe including an evaporating region and a condensing region; and a tube bundle configured to wrap around the condensing region of the heat pipe and including one or more adjacent, parallel tubes, each tube forming a helix that is coaxial to the heat pipe.

Abstract: Reactor buildings and vessel systems are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes: a building structure that comprises at least two exterior side walls and two end walls, at least one of the exterior walls angled non-orthogonally relative to a floor of the building structure, the at least two exterior walls and two end walls defining an interior volume of the building structure; one or more nuclear reactor systems mounted at least partially in the interior volume of the building structure; and one or more heat exchanger systems mounted at least partially to at least one of the exterior walls. A nuclear reactor vessel system includes: a nuclear fission reactor; an inner vessel that defines an inner volume sized to at least partially enclose the nuclear fission reactor; and an outer vessel sized to wholly or substantially enclose the inner vessel, the inner vessel being removable from the outer vessel.

Abstract: Fuel cell lifting systems for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A fuel cell lifting system includes a radiation shield comprising: a first plate defining a first plane and comprising one or more first openings; and a second plate defining a second plane parallel to the first plane and comprising one or more second openings. At least one of the first plate or the second plate is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. A first opening of the first plate can be aligned with a second opening of the second plate to form a combined opening. A lifting motor is configured to extend and retract a tether through the combined opening of the radiation shield. The tether is attachable to a nuclear fuel cell.

Abstract: Fuel, heat exchangers, and instrumentation for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes a plurality of nuclear fuel elements, each of the nuclear fuel elements including an annulus; and a plurality of heat pipes, each of the plurality of heat pipes configured to pass through the annulus of a respective one of the nuclear fuel elements in conductive thermal contact with the respective nuclear fuel element. A nuclear instrumentation module includes an assembly of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising one or more sensors and configured for removable installation at one of the plurality of heat pipes. A heat exchanger includes a heat pipe including an evaporating region and a condensing region; and a tube bundle configured to wrap around the condensing region of the heat pipe and including one or more adjacent, parallel tubes, each tube forming a helix that is coaxial to the heat pipe.

Abstract: Methods and systems for in-vessel natural circulation alkali metal reactor systems, purification systems, and associated methods are disclosed. A nuclear reactor vessel system includes an inner vessel that defines an inner volume sized to at least partially enclose a reactor. The reactor includes a plurality of nuclear fuel elements at least partially enclosed within a cladding, the reactor being cooled by a liquid metal coolant in a primary coolant loop. A pool of immersing fluid occupies a volume inside the inner vessel. The reactor vessel system includes an outer vessel sized to wholly or substantially enclose the inner vessel. A nuclear reactor power system includes a reactor core including an active fuel region; and a rotatable drum including at least one of a neutron absorbing material, a neutron leakage enhancing material, or a neutron reflecting material, the rotatable drum positioned external to the active fuel region of the reactor core.

Abstract: Fuel, heat exchangers, and instrumentation for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes a plurality of nuclear fuel elements, each of the nuclear fuel elements including an annulus; and a plurality of heat pipes, each of the plurality of heat pipes configured to pass through the annulus of a respective one of the nuclear fuel elements in conductive thermal contact with the respective nuclear fuel element. A nuclear instrumentation module includes an assembly of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising one or more sensors and configured for removable installation at one of the plurality of heat pipes. A heat exchanger includes a heat pipe including an evaporating region and a condensing region; and a tube bundle configured to wrap around the condensing region of the heat pipe and including one or more adjacent, parallel tubes, each tube forming a helix that is coaxial to the heat pipe.

Abstract: Fuel, heat exchangers, and instrumentation for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes a plurality of nuclear fuel elements, each of the nuclear fuel elements including an annulus; and a plurality of heat pipes, each of the plurality of heat pipes configured to pass through the annulus of a respective one of the nuclear fuel elements in conductive thermal contact with the respective nuclear fuel element. A nuclear instrumentation module includes an assembly of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising one or more sensors and configured for removable installation at one of the plurality of heat pipes. A heat exchanger includes a heat pipe including an evaporating region and a condensing region; and a tube bundle configured to wrap around the condensing region of the heat pipe and including one or more adjacent, parallel tubes, each tube forming a helix that is coaxial to the heat pipe.

Abstract: Reactor buildings and vessel systems are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes: a building structure that comprises at least two exterior side walls and two end walls, at least one of the exterior walls angled non-orthogonally relative to a floor of the building structure, the at least two exterior walls and two end walls defining an interior volume of the building structure; one or more nuclear reactor systems mounted at least partially in the interior volume of the building structure; and one or more heat exchanger systems mounted at least partially to at least one of the exterior walls. A nuclear reactor vessel system includes: a nuclear fission reactor; an inner vessel that defines an inner volume sized to at least partially enclose the nuclear fission reactor; and an outer vessel sized to wholly or substantially enclose the inner vessel, the inner vessel being removable from the outer vessel.

Abstract: A powered clutch assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear or other vehicle wheel drive system equipped with wheel drive motors controllable to move the aircraft or vehicle during ground travel. Electric power for the clutch assembly is transferred to clutch actuation elements by a rotary power transfer assembly mounted between stationary and rotating elements within the landing gear wheel drive system to clutch actuation elements. Actuation elements are powered to securely lock clutch rotating elements when required to improve the reliability of failsafe operation of the clutch assembly when torque should not be transferred and to unlock clutch rotating elements when torque should be transferred when the landing gear wheel drive system is used to drive the aircraft during ground travel. Power transferred from the rotary power transfer assembly may also be used to operate components associated with the aircraft drive wheel other than the powered clutch assembly.

Abstract: A device for forming an opening in a nipple of a baby bottle has a housing having a platform formed on a top surface thereof. a cutting unit is positioned on the platform. The cutting unit moves in an up and down manner forming the opening in the nipple. A holding device on the platform has a base and a cutout formed in a top surface of the base holding the nipple there within. The cutout is formed to hold the nipple so that an area of the nipple where the opening is formed is positioned in a bottom area of the cutout. A slot is formed in a bottom section of the cutout and extending through the base, the slot allowing the cutting unit to penetrate through the nipple and into the slot. The cutting unit contacts and stretches an interior wall of the nipple where the opening is to be formed reducing disfiguration where the opening is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening in a nipple for a baby bottle, comprising: inserting the nipple in a holder having an opening formed therein, the nipple positioned within the opening so that an area of the nipple where the opening is to be formed is positioned in a bottom area of the opening, the holder preventing deformation of the nipple in the area where the opening if to be formed; inserting a cutting device in an interior section of the nipple; contacting and stretching an interior wall of the nipple where the opening is to be formed by the cutting device; and penetrating the interior wall of the nipple forming the opening.

Abstract: A powered clutch assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear or other vehicle wheel drive system equipped with wheel drive motors controllable to move the aircraft or vehicle during ground travel. Electric power for the clutch assembly is transferred to clutch actuation elements by a rotary power transfer assembly mounted between stationary and rotating elements within the landing gear wheel drive system to clutch actuation elements. Actuation elements are powered to securely lock clutch rotating elements when required to improve the reliability of failsafe operation of the clutch assembly when torque should not be transferred and to unlock clutch rotating elements when torque should be transferred when the landing gear wheel drive system is used to drive the aircraft during ground travel. Power transferred from the rotary power transfer assembly may also be used to operate components associated with the aircraft drive wheel other than the powered clutch assembly.

Abstract: A powered clutch assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear or other vehicle wheel drive system equipped with wheel drive motors controllable to move the aircraft or vehicle during ground travel. Electric power for the clutch assembly is transferred to clutch actuation elements by a rotary power transfer assembly mounted between stationary and rotating elements within the landing gear wheel drive system to clutch actuation elements. Actuation elements are powered to securely lock clutch rotating elements when required to improve the reliability of failsafe operation of the clutch assembly when torque should not be transferred and to unlock clutch rotating elements when torque should be transferred when the landing gear wheel drive system is used to drive the aircraft during ground travel. Power transferred from the rotary power transfer assembly may also be used to operate components associated with the aircraft drive wheel other than the powered clutch assembly.

Abstract: A detachment device especially of use as a material detachment device for detaching installed drywall is described. The detachment device has a material-engagement portion and a handle portion. The material-engagement portion has a beveled free end. The handle portion has a handle free end, is engaged with the material-engagement portion, and is transverse to the material-engagement portion. The material-engagement portion and the handle portion are shaped and configured to wholly or partly detach either or both installed material (such as drywall) and one or more attachment members (such as nails, screws, or dabs or beads of glue). A material detachment process especially of use as a drywall detachment process is also described which includes two analogous steps preceded by accessing (a) the installed material and (b) the one or more structural members (such as studs) to which the installed material is attached by one or more attachment members.

Abstract: A powered clutch assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear or other vehicle wheel drive system equipped with wheel drive motors controllable to move the aircraft or vehicle during ground travel. Electric power for the clutch assembly is transferred to clutch actuation elements by a rotary power transfer assembly mounted between stationary and rotating elements within the landing gear wheel drive system to clutch actuation elements. Actuation elements are powered to securely lock clutch rotating elements when required to improve the reliability of failsafe operation of the clutch assembly when torque should not be transferred and to unlock clutch rotating elements when torque should be transferred when the landing gear wheel drive system is used to drive the aircraft during ground travel. Power transferred from the rotary power transfer assembly may also be used to operate components associated with the aircraft drive wheel other than the powered clutch assembly.

Abstract: A detachment device especially of use as a material detachment device for detaching installed drywall has a material-engagement portion and a handle portion. The material-engagement portion has a beveled free end. The handle portion has a handle free end, is engaged with the material-engagement portion, and is transverse to the material-engagement portion.

Abstract: A flotation aid which has an inflation unit comprising an inflatable bladder and a gas container assembly including a capsule containing a compressed gas for inflating the bladder and having a valve through which gas may be released into the bladder, the gas container assembly being located substantially within the bladder and actuating means actuable externally of the bladder for actuating the valve to allow release of gas from the capsule into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In one form, the inflation unit is housed within a two-part longitudinally split casing, the parts of the casing being interconnected but being separated upon and by inflation of the bladder to release the bladder. In another form, the floatation aid is incorporated in pants or other article of clothing being located in a pocket and secured to the pants or article of clothing.

Abstract: A reporting program and system for updating a master copy of a geographic database is disclosed. According to the method and system, reports are obtained that relate to data contained in a geographic database. Satellite images of the geographic locations represented by the data in the reports are obtained. The satellite images are analyzed to confirm a need to make changes to the master copy of the geographic database based on the reports. After confirming the need to make the changes, the master copy of the geographic database is updated.

Abstract: A collection optics arrangement integrating an objective lens and a solid immersion lens. An objective lens housing has an objective lens mounted inside. A solid immersion lens (SIL) housing is slidably mounted onto said objective lens housing, and a solid immersion lens is mounted onto the SIL housing. A spring imparts resilient force resisting the sliding of the solid immersion lens housing with respect to the objective lens housing.

Abstract: A flotation aid which has an inflation unit comprising an inflatable bladder and a gas container assembly including a capsule containing a compressed gas for inflating the bladder and having a valve through which gas may be released into the bladder, the gas container assembly being located substantially within the bladder and actuating means actuable externally of the bladder for actuating the valve to allow release of gas from the capsule into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In one form, the inflation unit is housed within a two-part longitudinally split casing, the parts of the casing being interconnected but being separated upon and by inflation of the bladder to release the bladder. In another form, the floatation aid is incorporated in pants or other article of clothing being located in a pocket and secured to the pants or article of clothing.