Abstract:
A packing assembly for a valve includes a first segment having at least one first guiding surface, and a second segment having at least one second guiding surface in engagement with at least a portion of the at least one first guiding surface. A shape-memory member couples the first and second segments. The shape-memory member may be formed of a material that is responsive to changes in temperature, so that, in response to a change in temperature, the shape-memory member may cause relative movement of the first and second segments in a first direction. In response to the movement, the first and second guiding surfaces may cause relative displacement of the first and second segments in a second direction.
Abstract:
A system for determining a radiation dose in real time can include at least one three- dimensional target object to be exposed to ionizing radiation. The at least one target object may include a scintillating gel material. The scintillating gel material may emit light when exposed to the ionizing radiation. An imaging system may be configured to capture at least a first image of the target object from a first position, and a second image of the target object from a second position relative to the target object. A controller may be connected to the imaging system and may be configured to the process the first and second images to provide a three-dimensional dose distribution in real-time.
Abstract:
A regulator apparatus for distributing a fluid may include a charging valve assembly and a flow multiplier assembly. In a recharge mode, a valve of the charging valve assembly is in an open position, and the fluid is received in a second cylinder of the flow multiplier assembly, causing first and second pistons of the flow multiplier assembly to move in a first direction. In a purge mode, the valve is in the seated position, and the fluid is received in a first cylinder of the flow multiplier assembly, causing the first and second pistons to move in a second direction, and discharging an outlet flow through an outlet of the flow multiplier assembly. The second cylinder may have a bore cross sectional area that is greater than a bore cross sectional area of the first cylinder. Apparatuses disclosed herein may be implemented in a circumferential sampling tool.
Abstract:
A fuel assembly for a pressure-tube nuclear reactor includes a fuel channel assembly. The fuel channel assembly has an outer conduit and an inner conduit received within the outer conduit. The conduits define an annular fuel bundle chamber for receiving a flow of a coolant in one direction. The inner conduit includes a central flow passage for receiving a flow of the coolant in an opposite direction. A fuel bundle positioned within the fuel bundle chamber consists of fuel elements arranged to form an inner ring surrounding the inner conduit, and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring. The coolant may be light water, and geometries of the fuel assembly may be selected so moderation by the volume of coolant promotes generally uniform power distribution in the fuel elements.
Abstract:
A hydrogen fusible link may include a first link member having a thermally conductive material, and reaction region and a bonding region. A bonding material may be in a solid state at an operating temperature and may have a melting temperature that is greater than the operating temperature. A catalyst material may coat the reaction region and may facilitate an exothermic chemical reaction when exposed to gaseous hydrogen to produce heat, wherein heat produced by the catalyst material is conducted to the bonding region via the body to heat up the bonding material. When the catalyst material is exposed to a concentration of gaseous hydrogen that is at or above an activation concentration the reaction region produces sufficient heat to raise at least some of the bonding material above the melting temperature thereby failing at least some of the bonding material.
Abstract:
A non-destructive method for determining at least one of a cover depth and a cross-sectional area of at least a first ferrous rebar that is within a non-magnetic can include the steps of: a) establishing an electromagnetic circuit comprising the first ferrous rebar, a electromagnetic coupler, a first transmitter and a first receiver; b) introducing a first pulsed electromagnetic interrogation signal along the electromagnetic circuit; c) receiving a response electromagnetic signal having first magnitude that is induced in the first ferrous rebar and generating a corresponding response electrical signal; d) determining at least one of the cover depth and the cross-sectional area of the first ferrous rebar based on time information and the voltage information and generate a corresponding first output signal using a response signal processor; e) providing a first user output based on the output signal using a user output module.
Abstract:
An apparatus for adhering a filament to a surface can include a body having a filament inlet port, at least a first filament outlet port spaced apart from the filament inlet port, and at least a first filament travel path extending between the filament inlet port and the first filament outlet port. A reservoir chamber can form a portion of the first filament travel path between the filament inlet port and the first filament outlet port and can contain a viscous adhesive material. Imparting relative axial movement between the body and a first filament can urge the first filament along the first filament travel path and through the reservoir chamber so that the first filament is coated with the viscous adhesive material when exiting via the first filament outlet port, for adhesion to the surface.
Abstract:
A cross-over fluid coupling includes a first coupling end and a second coupling end. A plurality of first conduits have inner ends disposed toward the first coupling end and outer ends spaced apart from the inner end toward the second coupling end and being outboard of the inner end. A plurality of second conduits have outer ends that are disposed toward the first coupling end and positioned laterally outboard of the inner end of at least one of the first conduits, and inner ends that are spaced apart from the outer end toward the second coupling end in the axial direction and is laterally inboard of the outer end of the at least one of the first conduits.
Abstract:
With a water and debris mixture, a method of quantifying debris content may include obtaining at least one image of a sample of the water and debris mixture. The image may be analyzed to quantify the debris content.
Abstract:
A nuclear fuel bundle may include a first end face and a second end face axially spaced apart from the first end face and a plurality of elongate nuclear fuel elements supported by at least one spacer. The plurality of fuel elements and spacer being sized to be removably received within the fuel channel assembly. A coolant tube passage may extend axially through the fuel bundle between a first aperture in the first end face and a second aperture in the second end face. The coolant tube passage sized to removably receive a coolant fluid downflow tube provided in the fuel channel assembly. The tube passage extending from the first end face to the second end face to enable the coolant fluid downflow tube to pass through the fuel bundle.