Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).

Abstract: A novel pillow cover is provided that can be manufactured so that a finished gusseted pillow produced from four rectangular fabric pieces with only six straight line seams.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a fuel rod having end pieces on either end containing irradiation targets. Example embodiment end pieces may contain materials that may be converted to desired isotopes when exposed to neutron flux encountered at the end piece position. Example embodiment end pieces may be fabricated from the materials or may otherwise house the materials. Example embodiment end pieces may mate with a variety of full-length and/or part-length fuel rods and may function as upper and/or lower end plugs, mating the fuel rods to upper and/or lower tie plates.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a fuel rod having end pieces on either end containing irradiation targets. Example embodiment end pieces may contain materials that may be converted to desired isotopes when exposed to neutron flux encountered at the end piece position. Example embodiment end pieces may be fabricated from the materials or may otherwise house the materials. Example embodiment end pieces may mate with a variety of full-length and/or part-length fuel rods and may function as upper and/or lower end plugs, mating the fuel rods to upper and/or lower tie plates.

Abstract: A rod assembly for a fuel bundle of a nuclear reactor may include an upper end piece, lower end piece and a plurality of rod segments attached between the upper and lower end pieces and to each other so as to form an axial length of the rod assembly. The rod assembly may include an adaptor subassembly provided at given connection points for connecting adjacent rod segments or a given rod segment with one of the upper and lower end pieces. The connection points along the axial length of the rod assembly may be located where the rod assembly contacts a spacer in the fuel bundle. One (or more) of the rod segments may include an irradiation target therein for producing a desired isotope when a fuel bundle containing one (or more) rod assemblies is irradiated in a core of the reactor.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor includes the fuel rod having a first axial zone positioned proximate to a bottom end, a second axial zone positioned adjacent to the first axial zone in the intermediate region, and a third axial zone positioned proximate to a top end. The first axial zone has an enrichment greater than the second axial zone and the second axial zone has an enrichment greater than or equal to the third axial zone. Also includes fuel assemblies having a plurality of fuel rods and methods of designing and manufacturing of fuel rods and fuel assemblies.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods for producing radioisotopes in instrumentation tubes of operating commercial nuclear reactors. Irradiation targets may be inserted and removed from instrumentation tubes during operation and converted to radioisotopes otherwise unavailable from nuclear reactors. Example apparatuses may continuously insert, remove, and store irradiation targets to be converted to useable radioisotopes.

Abstract: Example embodiments may include a nuclear fuel rod and/or segment design using fuel element spacers. Fuel element spacers may be placed at intervals within fuel rods and/or segments in order to manipulate operating characteristics of the fuel rods and/or segments and/or decrease consequences of fretting of the fuel rod and/or segment. Example methods may include using fuel rods and/or segments having fuel element spacing elements by adjusting intervals of the spacing elements so as to affect the mechanical, neutronic, and/or thermal properties of the fuel rod and/or segment.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).

Abstract: A pointing system having a rotatable housing, a boresight relative to the housing, a rotatable mirror, and a laser emitting a beam of light, wherein the beam of light is redirected off the mirror to the pointing target. When the rotatable mirror is rotated, the beam of light is moved relative to the boresight. The system operates such that rotation of the beam of light by means of the rotatable mirror is greater than the rotation of the boresight by means of the rotatable housing.

Abstract: A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus, brush holder and system are provided. The apparatus includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder, and a proximity sensor on the main body. The proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote location, and the wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush.

Abstract: A capsule for holding, irradiating, and eluting a material is provided. Methods of fabricating and using the capsule are also provided. The capsule may include a multidiameter tube with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. Washers and filters are provided in the end regions and the end regions may be sealed using various methods and materials with the end caps press fit into the end regions. The middle region is designed to store a material to be irradiated by a neutron flux source. The capsule components may be made from materials having a low nuclear cross section so that the capsule may be handled safely after an irradiation step is performed. The capsule is also designed to have a symmetric configuration as an elution and irradiation column so that the same capsule may be used to elute the material within the middle region of the capsule after an irradiation step is performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a printing press operation for alignment of plural images as are superposed onto one another. Plural images are aligned to one another as part of a color printing operation utilizing plural printing stations where registration marks associated with the plural respective images can be aligned to one another based upon an open loop feedback of registration information. One or more data sources, such as cameras, capture the registration marks and digitize the data so that alignment or misalignment can be determined based upon tolerance limits. Systems and methods of the present invention provide for real-time monitoring of image alignment so that an operator can quickly and easily make adjustments to printing cylinders to correct image alignment.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that allows for simultaneously assembling or disassembling multiple segmented nuclear fuel rods (hereinafter “segmented rods”). An embodiment of the present invention, may receive, secure, and move the segmented rods into a position that allows for performing the tasks of either assembly or disassembly, allowing for an operator to use a tool to complete the aforementioned tasks.

Abstract: An enclosure is presented. The enclosure includes an outer casing having one or more walls. Further, the enclosure includes a synthetic jet assembly configured to dissipate heat from the one or more walls, where the synthetic jet assembly includes a bracket operatively coupled to the one or more walls of the outer casing and two or more synthetic jets operatively coupled to the bracket, where the two or more synthetic jets are arranged in a multi-dimensional array.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for generating desired isotopes within water rods of nuclear fuel assemblies. Example methods may include selecting a desired irradiation target based on the target's properties, loading the target into a target rod based on irradiation target and fuel assembly properties, exposing the target rod to neutron flux, and/or harvesting isotopes produced from the irradiation target from the target rod. Example embodiment target rods may house one or more irradiation targets of varying types and phases. Example embodiment securing devices include a ledge collar and/or bushing that support target rods within a water rod and permit moderator/coolant flow through the water rod. Other example embodiment securing devices include one or more washers with one or more apertures drilled therein to hold one or more example embodiment target rods in a water rod while permitting coolant/moderator to flow through the water rod.

Abstract: Variable vane assemblies and methods for removing and assembling variable vane assemblies in turbine systems are provided. In one embodiment, a variable vane assembly includes a variable stator vane and an outer casing. A generally annular ring channel is defined in the outer casing. The variable vane assembly further includes a ring segment disposed in the ring channel, and a stem extending from a radially outer end of the variable stator vane at least partially through the ring segment. In another embodiment, a variable vane assembly includes a variable stator vane and a ring segment. The variable vane assembly further includes a stem extending from a radially outer end of the variable stator vane and configured to extend at least partially through the ring segment, and a stem extension configured to couple with the stem and protrude from the ring segment.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.