Abstract: An improved heat exchanger utilizing a primary heated fluid to vaporize a secondary fluid flowing axially therethrough including a preheater assembly located within a cold leg side of the heat exchanger to allow axial flow of the secondary fluid through a preheater assembly to heat the secondary fluid to it boiling point temperature. The heat exchanger generally comprises a vertical shell portion with a tubesheet disposed adjacent a lower end thereof and a tube bundle which includes a plurality of U-shaped tubes through which the primary fluid flows. The preheater assembly is located in the vicinity of the tubesheet wherein the secondary fluid enters the preheater through a fluid inlet nozzle into a lower feedwater inlet box which is disposed around the inlet nozzle for dispersing the secondary fluid from the nozzle over a greater area.

Abstract: This patent discloses a secondary fluid supply system for a steam generator used in nuclear reactor power plants. The secondary fluid supply system comprises a secondary fluid (feedwater) inlet nozzle near the base of the steam generator shell, a feedwater riser pipe spaced between the shell of the steam generator and the tube bundle wrapper, the upper end of the feedwater riser pipe being connected to a distribution ring having a plurality of spray nozzles positioned in the recirculating pool above the top of the U-shaped heat exchanger tubes.

Abstract: A steam generator comprises a distribution means, positioned between the shell and the wrapper in the annular downcomer region of the steam generator, for uniformly mixing the colder feedwater with the warmer recirculating water in the downcomer region of the steam generator so that the colder feedwater is not introduced directly into any steam regions of the steam generator and does not contact any pressure boundaries for preventing water hammer and thermal shock to the steam generator. The distribution means has a downwardly directing means for discharging the substantially evenly distributed feedwater from the distribution means into the downcomer region in a descending direction and away from any pressure boundaries for minimizing flow resistance and for preventing thermal shock to the pressure boundaries.

Abstract: Vessel structural support system for laterally and vertically supporting a vessel, such as a nuclear steam generator having an exterior bottom surface and a side surface thereon. The system includes a bracket connected to the bottom surface. A support column is pivotally connected to the bracket for vertically supporting the steam generator. The system also includes a base pad assembly connected pivotally to the support column for supporting the support column and the steam generator. The base pad assembly, which is capable of being brought to a level position by turning leveling nuts, is anchored to a floor. The system further includes a male key member attached to the side surface of the steam generator and a female stop member attached to an adjacent wall. The male key member and the female stop member coact to laterally support the steam generator.

Abstract: A system for removing sludge from a sludge-bearing fluid flowing in a vertically oriented nuclear steam generator so that the sludge is not present therein in sufficient quantities to corrode components (e.g., heat transfer tubes) located in the steam generator. The system comprises a tube sheet having a plurality of apertures therethrough for receiving the ends of the heat transfer tubes so that the tubes are supported by the tube sheet. The tube sheet has a top surface thereon and also a recess formed in the top surface for separating and for collecting the sludge from the sludge-bearing fluid. The recess has a substantially frusto-conical wall generally converging at the bottom end of the recess for providing a settling basin for the sludge after the sludge is separated from the sludge-bearing fluid. A pipe extends from adjacent the bottom end of the recess to the exterior of the heat exchanger for transporting the sludge from the recess to the exterior of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the performance of a communication line that carries customer data between two modems, including a programmable processor (for example, a digital signal processor) in each modem that either performs modulation or demodulation of customer data or tests the line, and a controller (for example, a programmable host processor) that switches the programmable signal processor selectively between processing customer data and line testing. The communication line carries both customer data and network control commands that include a test command for initiating testing, and each host processor responds to the test command by switching the signal processor to the test mode. There are a plurality of modems forming a data network and a central network control system connected to the network for providing the test command. The test command names two of the modems to participate in the testing and the controller identifies whether a given modem is one of the participants.

Abstract: An adaptor for converting an electric fence post insulator from a wire electric conductor support to a tape conductor support. The adaptor connects to the wire holding fingers of the insulator.

Abstract: An insulator and wire mounting structure for supporting an electrically conductive fence wire from a metal fence post having a generally T-shaped cross-section. The insulator and wire supporting member has a pair of leg portions which are deformable relative to each other to receive an intermediate portion of the T-post and after being brought into parallel alignment with each other receive a nut which threadably engages a thread set to tighten the mounting structure in position for supporting the wire.

Abstract: A method of forming and installing anti-vibration bars into a tube bundle of a steam generator is disclosed. The tube bundle comprises rows of tubes, each tube carrying a high temperature coolant. Each of the resultant anti-vibration bars has a tubular configuration and is disposed between adjacent rows of the tube bundle for stabilizing the tubes against vibration caused by fluids recirculating at high velocities through the steam generator. The method of this invention comprises the steps of inserting at least one anti-vibration bar between adjacent rows of the tube bundle and applying a pressurized fluid in the anti-vibration, thus expanding the anti-vibration bar to contact the tubes of the adjacent rows and to make a series of indentations therein. Typically, the pressure of the fluid is increased incrementally up to a maximum level set such that the configuration of the steam genrator tubes is not deformed.

Abstract: An elongated shaft includes a spring anchoring point at each end and in the center. A pair of sleeves are slidably positioned on the shaft, one between the central anchoring point and each end anchoring point. Each sleeve is joined to the anchor point on either side thereof by a coil spring. Each coil spring is identical in length and tension strength, and is formed from steel wire of a selected gauge. The coil spring tension strength of all the springs on the bar is modified by varying the width distance between each coil turn in a selected segment or segments of each spring. In use, each spring may be compressed toward or extended away from the associated anchor point, depending upon the particular exercise.

Abstract: In a modem that transmits signals to and receives signals from a remote device at a multiplicity of communication rates, the quality of the channel is monitored, a communication rate is selected based on the channel quality, the desire for an increased rate is indicated, and the increased rate is implemented by the modem when the remote device concurs.

Abstract: A tube support plate is disclosed for supporting a plurality of tubes with reduced vibration in a nuclear steam generator. The support plate has a plurality of holes disposed therethrough in a regular array. Each hole has an axis, an interior surface and a plurality of lands supported on the interior surface and extending towards the axis. The support plate has a given thickness as taken along the hole axis, and each of the lands has a tapered surface for facilitating tube insertion. The method of forming the tube support plate comprises a first step of forming each of the holes through the support plate with a first cylindrical portion of a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a second diameter less than the first diameter. Next, portions of the second cylindrical portion are removed in a second step to form a plurality of lands having exposed ends supporting a tube within the hole.

Abstract: A non-contacting type of high frequency signal coupling arrangement for coupling RF signals to a television receiver at one or more workstations for alignment or test includes a first transmission line mounted a the workstation and coupled to the RF signal source and a second transmission line mounted on the pallate for moving the television receiver from one workstation to another and coupled to the antenna input of the television receiver. At a workstation, the two transmission lines are brought into overlying relationship so that the RF signals are capacitively coupled from the first transmission line to the second.

Abstract: An electric fence insulator cap for mounting on U-posts of varying flange tip to flange tip widths and varying bight to flange depth in either of two 180.degree. oriented positions. The electric fence wire is held in a pair of slotted lugs for simple installation. The cap top is generally sloped to deflect rain with a central flat surface for impacting installation on the fence post.

Abstract: A one-piece removable tube lane block includes an L-shaped angle bar, having one end thereof fixed to the closed end of a cylindrical sleeve and extending axially outwardly therefrom. The outer end of the sleeve has a radially outwardly extending annular retaining flange for engagement with the vessel wall at the outer end of the handhole. The blocking portion is dimensioned to be insertable through the handhole and into the tube lane to a use position with the distal leg of the L-shaped bar disposed perpendicular to the tube sheet and with the mounting sleeve disposed in the handhole and held in place therein by set screws extending radially outwardly through the sleeve.

Abstract: A low cost tapered horn with desirable equal E and H plane pattern beamwidths is achieved with one or more annular channels in the tapered wave translation surfaces of the horn. These channels extend concentric and parallel with the axis of symmetry of the horn to permit the horn including the channels capable of being formed using molding techniques.

Abstract: An electric fence insulator cap for mounting on various weight and flange configuration T-posts in any of four 90.degree. spaced positions. The electric fence wire is held in a pair of spaced slotted lugs for simple installation. The cap top is generally sloped to deflect rain with a central flat surface for impacting installation on the fence post.

Abstract: A molded one-piece electric fence post insulator which can be installed on a flat or round wood post with a single nail. A forward planar post engaging panel has a vertically extending wing at each lateral side. The wings extend forwardly of the panel plane from vertical hinge lines so that as the insulator is nailed against a round post, the wings engage the post to firmly hold the insulator against twisting, and as the insulator is nailed against a flat post, the wings fold rearwardly along the hinge lines presenting planar contact of the insulator with the post.