Abstract: An exercise system in the form of a block having a plurality of locations for attachments is disclosed. The attachments can be utilized to create a variety of different exercises using the block.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a molten salt reactor can include a graphite reactor core that defines an internal space, with multiple fuel wedges being received in the internal space, and with the wedges each defining a fuel channel extending from a first end to a second end of each of the wedges. The reactor can further include a fuel pin rod that defines an internal fuel conduit and that is disposed between at least two of the wedges. The reactor core can also define a fuel ingress port and a fuel egress port. The reactor core can further be rotatably received within a reactor housing such that the ports are configured to become at least one of more occluded and less occluded as the reactor core rotates.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for quickly and simply manufacturing semi-custom cabinetry utilizing a hidden pin joining system. The hidden pin joining system allows panels of the cabinet to quickly and securely join together, with significant load bearing ability. The different joining pin designs allow for different ways of discretely joining pieces together to create custom cabinetry during installation. The specially designed drill bits allow the system to work seamlessly. Using CAD/CAM machinery, the drill bits can cut stock pieces that can be taken to installation sites, and formed into custom cabinetry for kitchen, closets, or any other desired shelving units.

Abstract: The modular panel system includes composite panels with grooves integrated into both vertical sides thereof. The grooves engage the protrusions molded into all four sides of the mating element. By sliding panels onto a mating element, a room can be created. Two walls at right angles form a simple room corner. Three walls can become two adjoining rooms and other configurations. When disassembled, the panels and elements can be transported and stored out of the way, which is especially useful when used for large scale dolls, eighteen inches tall or more.

Abstract: Assembly of two construction elements (1) which each comprise a number of side faces and are provided with a connecting means (2) for connecting the construction elements (1) to one another. The construction elements each comprise a side face with a recess (3), the recess (3) having been produced by cutting away a part (4) from the construction element (1). The slidable parts (4) are slidable in the recesses (3) and form the connections (2). A method of connecting such construction elements (1) to one another is also provided.

Abstract: A hierarchical digital material comprises a set of self-similar digital voxels and connectors. Each voxel is connectable to other self-similar digital voxels by means of the connectors and each voxel is configured to accept connectors of differing sizes. Voxels and connectors may be of differing sizes. Voxels and connectors of the same or differing sizes are connectable to each other in order to assemble two- and three-dimensional structures. The voxels within a structure may be made of differing materials, as may the connectors.

Abstract: A neutron reflector bolt fastening structure is disclosed in which even upon relaxation in the fastening forces thereof being generated in tie rods for divided stage portions as a result of neutron irradiation, it is possible to press the neutron reflector firmly against a core vessel. The neutron reflector bolt fastening structure includes: a neutron reflector which includes of a plurality of divided stage portions and situated in a core vessel in a reactor vessel; a plurality of tie rods for fixing the neutron reflector to the core vessel; and a plurality of bolts for exclusively fixing the lowermost stage portion of the plurality of stage portions of the neutron reflector to the core vessel.

Abstract: With an arrangement that the axial distance from the upper end of a first opening area to the upper end of the second opening area is equal to the axial distance from the upper end of a first coupling member to the upper end of a second coupling member, when a spring member is moved upwardly relative to round cells, the upper end of the second coupling member comes into contact with the upper end of the second opening area, and the spring members receives upwardly acting forces from fuel elements. The spring member is thereby prevented from inclining with respect to flow of a coolant. Simultaneously, the upper end of the first coupling member contacts the upper end of the first opening area, and the spring member is stably held in a condition where it is aligned with the direction of the coolant flow.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor reflector is disclosed that comprises a stack of reflector blocks with vertical water flow passages to cool the reflector. The interface between blocks is opposite support points for reactor fuel rods. Water flows between the reflector and the reactor barrel from passages in a bottom block. The top block contains a flange to limit this flow and the flange has a slot to receive an alignment pin that is welded to the barrel. The pin is held in the slot by two removable shims. Alignment bars extend the length of the stack in slots machined in each block when the stack is assembled.

Abstract: A pressurized water reactor has a solid reflector formed of a stack of rings each completely surrounding the reactor core, whose internal periphery matches the external contour of the core. Keys fixed to the casing project into vertical grooves formed in the rings for centering them with respect to the core casing. The stack is formed with a plurality of vertical channels each consisting of a plurality of vertical mutually aligned passages each formed in a respective one of said rings, each channel containing a plurality of vertically aligned plugs.The vertical passages are formed in radially thicker parts only of the rings. Each plug cooperates with the respective ring to define an annular water flow channel. Some at least of the plugs comprise an upper flange bearing on a shoulder of a corresponding ring, machined for defining channels slanted with respect to the vertical so as to give a circumferential speed component to the water flowing along the annular passages about the plugs.

Abstract: A multi-region reactor core pebble bed high temperature gas reactor comprises a pebble bed reactor core housed within a pressure vessel and charged with spherical fuel. The reactor core is surrounded by a reflector wall comprising a partition wall which partitions the reactor core into a plurality of reactor core sub-regions. The reflector wall comprises a plurality of layers of reflector blocks, adjacent blocks of a layer being secured against one another by removable tapered keys wedged therein between.

Abstract: In order to ensure a good seal and a good resistance to shocks and corrosion, without increasing their cost, radioactive waste storage containers are completely made from metal fiber-reinforced concrete. This material is used for producing by molding a drum (210) and a cover (212), as well as a keying joint (224) by which the cover is fixed to the drum. At least one dovetail keying groove is formed in the junction zone between the drum and the cover. Advantageously, a filling material of the same nature as that in which is formed the container is injected into the latter, so as to form a homogeneous block.

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor with solid partitioning comprises a core formed by assemblies of prismatic shape disposed side by side inside a vertical cylindrical casing. A space between the core and the casing receives a solid partitioning structure. The partitioning is formed as a vertical stack of rings each completely surrounding the core, whose external periphery is engaged with a clearance in the casing and whose internal periphery matches the external contour of the core. The rings are centered and indexed with respect to the core casing by keys fixed to the casing and projecting into vertical grooves formed in the rings and they are formed with vertical mutually aligned holes defining cooling channels. Plugs in the channels define restricted water flow passages.

Abstract: A roof reflector comprising at least three individual layers of tapered layer elements combined in the form of vertical columns. Each column rests on a block column of the lateral reflector. Individual elements are secured by wedges and dowels to permit vertical column movements without constraint. The top and bottom layers comprise gas collector spaces communicating with each other by passage openings in the middle layer. In the top and bottom layers are also slot-shaped passage openings leading to an from the collector spaces. Preferably, they are radially offset relative to the passage openings in the middle layer to obtain good gas mixing as it rises through the reflector.Such a roof reflector is useful for avoiding roof reflector element damage if one element is vertically displaced relative to an adjacent element. The roof elements are carefully designed to achieve this end and maintain cover utility.

Abstract: Core barrel for a high-temperature nuclear reactor, including internal parts formed of an inner layer of graphite blocks stacked on each other and an outer layer of carbon blocks stacked on each other together forming columns, the blocks of the respective layers being staggered in height, offset relative to each other in azimuth and having indentations alternately formed therein causing each two layers of graphite blocks to be supported on a protruding layer of carbon blocks and each two layers of carbon blocks to be supported on a protruding layer of graphite blocks.

Abstract: A high temperature reactor having a reactor core filled with spherical fuel elements is provided comprising a graphite side reflector including at least one nose-like projection protruding radially into the reactor core from said graphite said reflector, said at least one nose-like projection including a vertically disposed cavity adapted to receive discrete absorber material elements introduced into said reactor core as well as a vertically disposed continuous opening which permits communication between said cavity and the core of the reactor, and sealing means positioned in said continuous opening and cooperatively engaged with the portion of said nose-like projections defining said vertically disposed continuous opening, said sealing means being so configured and so cooperatively engaged so as to permit gaseous communication between said cavity and said core while preventing passage of said discrete absorber material elements through said continuous passage.

Abstract: In order to seal an opening formed in a vertical wall, a removable partition is formed, which is constituted by at least two dry-stacked brick layers. Each layer is formed from several rows of bricks, each constituted by bricks which, in cross-section, are shaped like a parallelogram, arranged in opposite directions on either side of a central locking brick which, in cross-section, is shaped like an isosceles trapezium. Each row of bricks behaves like a fictitious funicular arc when exposed to a horizontal force normal to the partition. Thus, the earthquake resistance is ensured without adding a reinforcing framework to the two faces of the partition.

Abstract: A roof reflector for a small, high temperature reactor with a hot gas collector space arranged above the roof reflector comprises a side reflector arranged under the roof reflector around a reactor core with a thermal side shield arranged around both the side reflector and the roof reflector. The roof reflector is composed of individual, mutually supporting, wedge-shaped graphite blocks and is supported on the thermal side shield by means of springingly elastic fastening elements in a radially expandable manner.

Abstract: A control rod for a nuclear reactor wherein plates of neutron absorbing material (e.g. hafnium) are used in the upper portion thereof and tubes containing a different neutron absorbing material (e.g. boron) are positioned beneath the plates. To relieve the tubes of the weight of the plates, the plates are attached to support members of the control rod frame, to prevent or reduce the area of a gap between the plates and the tubes, joints therebetween are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear reactor core and fuel elements therefore. Stackable fuel elements, having the usual coolant holes machined therethrough, are formed with grooves along their vertical extent for alignment with similar grooves on adjacent fuel elements to define additional coolant passageways. These grooves provide coolant passageways between adjacent fuel elements enhancing the mechanical stability of the core. Furthermore, these additional coolant passageways allow a more efficient utilization of reactor core space and permit coolant escaping into the interstices between adjacent ends of blocks to be collected at these additional coolant passageways. Stability may be enhanced further by means of complementary elevations and depressions formed on end faces of the fuel blocks.

Abstract: Vessel bottom for a gas-cooled pebble-bed reactor, including a multiplicity of blocks having inclined upper surfaces and being disposed adjacent each other side by side with gaps forming therebetween during operation of the reactor, each immediately adjacent two blocks being in the form of a higher block and a lower block, and projections integral with the higher block of each of the immediately adjacent two blocks extended at least partly over the lower block thereof, the projections being wider than the gaps forming between the adjacent blocks.

Abstract: The fuel assembly is supported by means of a cylindrical supporting member which is introduced into a shore of the cross-member. The foot of the fuel assembly is introduced into the upper part of the cross-member. Orifices, coinciding with those made with the shore permit the introduction of the liquid metal into the supporting member and from there into the actual assembly. The supporting member is closed at its lower end.Application to the construction of the core of a fast neutron nuclear cooled with liquid sodium.

Abstract: A top reflector for a nuclear-reactor vessel, i.e. the containment for a nuclear-reactor core, especially of a high-temperature or pebble bed reactor, is composed of laterally contiguous bodies (e.g. of graphite) which can be suspended from a support and in which means is provided for the form-fitting interengagement of the adjacent bodies to prevent collapse of the top reflector upon failure of the suspension.