Abstract: Insulated electrode fixture has an electrically conductive body with a receiving channel configured to receive a workpiece and an insert that is electrically isolated from the electrically conductive body is located on the first side and circumferential to the receiving channel. During welding processes, portions of the surface of the electrode fixture are electrically insulated from contact by a weld upset by the electrically isolated insert. Variations include an electrically isolated insert located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, an insert of a non-conductive material located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, an insert with a coating of a non-conductive material located on or inset into the surface of the electrode fixture, a non-conductive coating on the electrode fixture (except for in areas designated for conducting the weld current during resistance welding), or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Abstract: An open end of a cladding tube of a nuclear fuel rod is plugged with an end plug having a main body and a cylindrical bond portion extending from the main body and terminating in a cladding seat with reduced diameter compared with the cylindrical bond portion. The plugging includes clamping the open end of the cladding tube against the cladding seat of the end plug and, while clamping, applying electrical current between the end plug and the open end of the cladding tube so as to force the open end of the cladding tube over the cladding seat and slide over the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and to generate a resistance weld between a cylindrical bonding surface of the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and the inside surface of the open end of the cladding tube.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor, including a cladding tube having a first end with an annular end face, a second end with an annular end face, and a cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, and a first tube end plug including a front portion, an annular lip with an annular end face, and a substantially straight cylindrical body portion extending therebetween, wherein the surface area of the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are substantially equal, and the annular end face of the first end of the cladding tube and the annular end face of the annular lip of the first tube end plug are connected by a resistance pressure weld.

Abstract: An open end of a cladding tube of a nuclear fuel rod is plugged with an end plug having a main body and a cylindrical bond portion extending from the main body and terminating in a cladding seat with reduced diameter compared with the cylindrical bond portion. The plugging includes clamping the open end of the cladding tube against the cladding seat of the end plug and, while clamping, applying electrical current between the end plug and the open end of the cladding tube so as to force the open end of the cladding tube over the cladding seat and slide over the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and to generate a resistance weld between a cylindrical bonding surface of the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and the inside surface of the open end of the cladding tube.

Abstract: A process chamber is configured to contain a work piece in a controlled atmosphere and to perform a process that emits pyrophoric particulates. A closed recirculating loop connected with the process chamber recirculates gas defining the controlled atmosphere through the process chamber. A filter in the closed recirculating loop captures the generated pyrophoric particulates in the recirculating gas. A valve set has a work configuration defining the closed recirculating loop including the connection of the process chamber with the filter, and a filter regeneration configuration in which the filter is blocked off from the process chamber and is connected with an exhaust. A work piece is loaded into the process chamber. With the valve set in the work configuration, the process is performed on the loaded work piece. Thereafter, regeneration gas containing oxygen is delivered to the filter with the valve set in the regeneration configuration.

Abstract: An open end of a cladding tube of a nuclear fuel rod is plugged with an end plug having a main body and a cylindrical bond portion extending from the main body and terminating in a cladding seat with reduced diameter compared with the cylindrical bond portion. The plugging includes clamping the open end of the cladding tube against the cladding seat of the end plug and, while clamping, applying electrical current between the end plug and the open end of the cladding tube so as to force the open end of the cladding tube over the cladding seat and slide over the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and to generate a resistance weld between a cylindrical bonding surface of the cylindrical bond portion of the end plug and the inside surface of the open end of the cladding tube.

Abstract: A process chamber is configured to contain a work piece in a controlled atmosphere and to perform a process that emits pyrophoric particulates. A closed recirculating loop connected with the process chamber recirculates gas defining the controlled atmosphere through the process chamber. A filter in the closed recirculating loop captures the generated pyrophoric particulates in the recirculating gas. A valve set has a work configuration defining the closed recirculating loop including the connection of the process chamber with the filter, and a filter regeneration configuration in which the filter is blocked off from the process chamber and is connected with an exhaust. A work piece is loaded into the process chamber. With the valve set in the work configuration, the process is performed on the loaded work piece. Thereafter, regeneration gas containing oxygen is delivered to the filter with the valve set in the regeneration configuration.

Abstract: Brush card or holder assemblies are disclosed. The assemblies avoid any need for a separate plastic cap and utilize a lead wire (which could be or include a rod or other electrically-conductive device) both electrically to connect a brush to an external component and mechanically to fix the position of one end of a mechanism, such as a spring, for biasing the brush toward the surface of a commutator or other rotating machine element.