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Assembly and method for testing the integrity of stuffing tubes (open access)

Assembly and method for testing the integrity of stuffing tubes

A stuffing tube integrity checking assembly includes first and second annular seals, with each seal adapted to be positioned about a stuffing tube penetration component. An annular inflation bladder is provided, the bladder having a slot extending longitudinally there along and including a separator for sealing the slot. A first valve is in fluid communication with the bladder for introducing pressurized fluid to the space defined by the bladder when mounted about the tube. First and second releasible clamps are provided. Each clamp assembly is positioned about the bladder for securing the bladder to one of the seals for thereby establishing a fluid-tight chamber about the tube.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Morrison, Edward F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bulk single crystal ternary substrates for a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system (open access)

Bulk single crystal ternary substrates for a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system

A thermophotovoltaic energy conversion device and a method for making the device are disclosed. The device includes a substrate formed from a bulk single crystal material having a bandgap (E{sub g}) of 0.4 eV < E{sub g} < 0.7 eV and an emitter fabricated on the substrate formed from one of a p-type and an n-type material. Another thermophotovoltaic energy conversion device includes a host substrate formed from a bulk single crystal material and lattice-matched ternary or quaternary III-V semiconductor active layers.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Charache, Greg W.; Baldasaro, Paul F. & Nichols, Greg J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cable load sensing device (open access)

Cable load sensing device

Apparatus for sensing the magnitude of a load on a cable as the cable is employed to support the load includes a beam structure clamped to the cable so that a length of the cable lies along the beam structure. A spacer associated with the beam structure forces a slight curvature in a portion of the length of cable under a cable no-load condition so that the portion of the length of cable is spaced from the beam structure to define a cable curved portion. A strain gauge circuit including strain gauges is secured to the beam structure by welding. As the cable is employed to support a load the load causes the cable curved portion to exert a force normal to the cable through the spacer and on the beam structure to deform the beam structure as the cable curved portion attempts to straighten under the load. As this deformation takes place, the resistance of the strain gauges is set to a value proportional to the magnitude of the normal strain on the beam structure during such deformation. The magnitude of the normal strain is manipulated in a control device to generate a value equal to the magnitude or …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Beus, M. J. & McCoy, W. G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Combustor oscillation pressure stabilizer (open access)

Combustor oscillation pressure stabilizer

In accordance with the objective of the present invention, the active control of unsteady combustion induced oscillations in a combustion chamber fired by a suitable fuel and oxidizer mixture, such as a hydrocarbon fuel and air mixture, is provided by restructuring and moving the position of the main flame front and thereby increasing the transport time and displacing the pressure wave further away from the in-phase relationship with the periodic heat release. The restructuring and repositioning of the main flame are achieved by utilizing a pilot flame which is pulsed at a predetermined frequency corresponding to less than about one-half the frequency of the combustion oscillation frequency with the duration of each pulse being sufficient to produce adequate secondary thermal energy to restructure the main flame and thereby decouple the heat release from the acoustic coupling so as to lead to a reduction in the dynamic pressure amplitude. The pulsating pilot flame produces a relatively small and intermittently existing flame front in the combustion zone that is separate from the oscillating main flame front but which provides the thermal energy necessary to effectively reposition the location of the oscillating main flame front out of the region in the combustion zone …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Gemmen, R. S.; Richards, G. A.; Yip, M. T. J.; Robey, E.; Cully, S. R. & Addis, R. E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compact cyclone filter train for radiological and hazardous environments (open access)

Compact cyclone filter train for radiological and hazardous environments

A compact cyclone filter train is described for the removal of hazardous and radiological particles from a gaseous fluid medium which permits a small cyclone separator to be used in a very small space envelope due to the arrangement of the filter housing adjacent to the separator with the cyclone separators and the filters mounted on a plate. The entire unit will have a hoist connection at the center of gravity so that the entire unit including the separator, the filters, and the base can be lifted and repositioned as desired.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Bench, T. R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Down-flow moving-bed gasifier with catalyst recycle (open access)

Down-flow moving-bed gasifier with catalyst recycle

The gasification of coal and other carbonaceous materials by an endothermic gasification reaction is achieved in the presence of a catalyst in a down-flow, moving-bed gasifier. Catalyst is removed along with ash from the gasifier and is then sufficiently heated in a riser/burner by the combustion of residual carbon in the ash to volatilize the catalyst. This volatilized catalyst is returned to the gasifier where it uniformly contacts and condenses on the carbonaceous material. Also, the hot gaseous combustion products resulting from the combustion of the carbon in the ash along with excess air are introduced into the gasifier for providing heat energy used in the endothermic reaction.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Halow, John S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Graphitic packing removal tool (open access)

Graphitic packing removal tool

Graphitic packing removal tools are described for removal of the seal rings in one piece from valves and pumps. The packing removal tool has a cylindrical base ring the same size as the packing ring with a surface finish, perforations, knurling or threads for adhesion to the seal ring. Elongated leg shanks are mounted axially along the circumferential center. A slit or slits permit insertion around shafts. A removal tool follower stabilizes the upper portion of the legs to allow a spanner wrench to be used for insertion and removal.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Meyers, K.E. & Kolsun, G.J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Holding fixture for metallographic mount polishing (open access)

Holding fixture for metallographic mount polishing

A fixture for holding mounted specimens for polishing, having an arm; a body attached to one end of the arm, the body having at least one flange having an opening to accommodate a mounted specimen; and a means applying pressure against the outer surface of the mounted specimen to hold the specimen in contact with the polishing surface.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Barth, C.H. & Cramer, C.E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hybrid high direct current circuit interrupter (open access)

Hybrid high direct current circuit interrupter

A device and a method for interrupting very high direct currents (greater than 100,000 amperes) and simultaneously blocking high voltages (greater than 600 volts). The device utilizes a mechanical switch to carry very high currents continuously with low loss and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to bypass the current around the mechanical switch while its contacts are separating. A commutation circuit, connected in parallel with the SCR, turns off the SCR by utilizing a resonant circuit to divert the SCR current after the switch opens.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Rockot, Joseph H.; Mikesell, Harvey E. & Jha, Kamal N.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Improved method for the production of atomic ion species from plasma ion sources (open access)

Improved method for the production of atomic ion species from plasma ion sources

A technique to enhance the yield of neutral atomic and ionic species (H{sup +}, D{sup +}, O{sup +}, N{sup +}, etc.) from plasmas. The technique involves the addition of catalyzing agents to the ion discharge. Effective catalysts include H{sub 2}O, O{sub 2}, and SF{sub 6}, among others, with the most effective being water (H{sub 2}O). This technique has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory, where microwave produced beams consisting essentially of 100% atomic neutral species (H) have been generated, and ion beams of close to 100% purity have been generated.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Spence, D. & Lykke, K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lapped substrate for enhanced backsurface reflectivity in a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system (open access)

Lapped substrate for enhanced backsurface reflectivity in a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system

A method is described for fabricating a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion cell including a thin semiconductor wafer substrate having a thickness ({beta}) calculated to decrease the free carrier absorption on a heavily doped substrate; wherein the top surface of the semiconductor wafer substrate is provided with a thermophotovoltaic device, a metallized grid and optionally an antireflective (AR) overcoating; and, the bottom surface (10 ft) of the semiconductor wafer substrate is provided with a highly reflecting coating which may comprise a metal coating or a combined dielectric/metal coating.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Baldasaro, Paul F.; Brown, Edward J.; Charache, Greg W. & DePoy, David M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and apparatus for automatically detecting patterns in digital point-ordered signals (open access)

Method and apparatus for automatically detecting patterns in digital point-ordered signals

The present invention is a method and system for detecting a physical feature of a test piece by detecting a pattern in a signal representing data from inspection of the test piece. The pattern is detected by automated additive decomposition of a digital point-ordered signal which represents the data. The present invention can properly handle a non-periodic signal. A physical parameter of the test piece is measured. A digital point-ordered signal representative of the measured physical parameter is generated. The digital point-ordered signal is decomposed into a baseline signal, a background noise signal, and a peaks/troughs signal. The peaks/troughs from the peaks/troughs signal are located and peaks/troughs information indicating the physical feature of the test piece is output.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Brudnoy, D. M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and apparatus for probing relative volume fractions (open access)

Method and apparatus for probing relative volume fractions

A relative volume fraction probe particularly for use in a multiphase fluid system includes two parallel conductive paths defining there between a sample zone within the system. A generating unit generates time varying electrical signals which are inserted into one of the two parallel conductive paths. A time domain reflectometer receives the time varying electrical signals returned by the second of the two parallel conductive paths and, responsive thereto, outputs a curve of impedance versus distance. An analysis unit then calculates the area under the curve, subtracts the calculated area from an area produced when the sample zone consists entirely of material of a first fluid phase, and divides this calculated difference by the difference between an area produced when the sample zone consists entirely of material of the first fluid phase and an area produced when the sample zone consists entirely of material of a second fluid phase. The result is the volume fraction.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Jandrasits, W.G. & Kikta, T.J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method and apparatus for steady-state magnetic measurement of poloidal magnetic field near a tokamak plasma (open access)

Method and apparatus for steady-state magnetic measurement of poloidal magnetic field near a tokamak plasma

A method and apparatus for the steady-state measurement of poloidal magnetic field near a tokamak plasma, where the tokamak is configured with respect to a cylindrical coordinate system having z, phi (toroidal), and r axes. The method is based on combining the two magnetic field principles of induction and torque. The apparatus includes a rotor assembly having a pair of inductive magnetic field pickup coils which are concentrically mounted, orthogonally oriented in the r and z directions, and coupled to remotely located electronics which include electronic integrators for determining magnetic field changes. The rotor assembly includes an axle oriented in the toroidal direction, with the axle mounted on pivot support brackets which in turn are mounted on a baseplate. First and second springs are located between the baseplate and the rotor assembly restricting rotation of the rotor assembly about its axle, the second spring providing a constant tensile preload in the first spring. A strain gauge is mounted on the first spring, and electronic means to continually monitor strain gauge resistance variations is provided. Electronic means for providing a known current pulse waveform to be periodically injected into each coil to create a time-varying torque on the rotor assembly in …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Woolley, R.D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Method for encapsulating and isolating hazardous cations, medium for encapsulating and isolating hazardous cations (open access)

Method for encapsulating and isolating hazardous cations, medium for encapsulating and isolating hazardous cations

The problems associated with the disposal of toxic metals in an environmentally acceptable manner continues to plague industry. Such metals as nickel, vanadium, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, and antimony present physiological and ecological challenges that are best addressed through minimization of exposure and dispersion. A method for encapsulating hazardous cations is provided comprising supplying a pretreated substrate containing the cations; contacting the substrate with an organo-silane compound to form a coating on the substrate; and allowing the coating to cure. A medium for containing hazardous cations is also provided, comprising a substrate having ion-exchange capacity and a silane-containing coating on the substrate.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Wasserman, S. R.; Anderson, K. B.; Song, K.; Yuchs, S. E. & Marshall, C. L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mobile machine hazardous working zone warning system (open access)

Mobile machine hazardous working zone warning system

A warning system is provided for a mobile working machine to alert an individual of a potentially dangerous condition in the event the individual strays into a hazardous working zone of the machine. The warning system includes a transmitter mounted on the machine and operable to generate a uniform magnetic field projecting beyond an outer periphery of the machine in defining a hazardous working zone around the machine during operation thereof. A receiver, carried by the individual and activated by the magnetic field, provides an alarm signal to alert the individual when he enters the hazardous working zone of the machine.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Schiffbauer, W.H. & Ganoe, C.W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Particle injector for fluid systems (open access)

Particle injector for fluid systems

A particle injector device provides injection of particles into a liquid stream. The device includes a funnel portion comprising a conical member having side walls tapering from a top opening (which receives the particles) down to a relatively smaller exit opening. A funnel inlet receives a portion of the liquid stream and the latter is directed onto the side walls of the conical member so as to create a cushion of liquid against which the particles impact. A main section of the device includes an inlet port in communication with the exit opening of the funnel portion. A main liquid inlet receives the main portion of the liquid stream at high pressure and low velocity and a throat region located downstream of the main liquid inlet accelerates liquid received by this inlet from the low velocity to a higher velocity so as to create a low pressure area at the exit opening of the funnel portion. An outlet opening of the main section enables the particles and liquid stream to exit from the injector device. This invention is particularly concerned with particle injection in connection with the calibration of inline optical particle counters.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Ruch, J.F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A portable tester for determining gas content within a core sample (open access)

A portable tester for determining gas content within a core sample

A portable tester is provided for reading and displaying the pressure of a gas released from a rock core sample stored within a sealed container and for taking a sample of the released pressurized gas for chemical analysis thereof for subsequent use in a modified direct method test which determines the volume of gas and specific type of gas contained within the core sample. The portable tester includes a pair of low and high range electrical pressure transducers for detecting a gas pressure within a first pressure range of 0--25 psia or a second pressure range of 0--200 psig and for producing an electrical signal related to the detected pressure, a pair of low and high range display units electrically connected to the respective low and high range electrical pressure transducers for receiving the electrical signal produced therefrom and visually displaying the pressure of detected gas in a digital numeric readout, selector valve means in flow communication with the low and high range pressure transducers and having separate flow paths to each of the low and high range pressure transducers and a selector knob for selecting gas flow to one of the flow paths, and control valve means having an …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Garcia, F. Jr. & Schatzel, S.J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reduction of spalling in mixed metal oxide desulfurization sorbents by addition of a large promoter metal oxide (open access)

Reduction of spalling in mixed metal oxide desulfurization sorbents by addition of a large promoter metal oxide

Mixed metal oxide pellets for removing hydrogen sulfide from fuel gas mixtures derived from coal are stabilized for operation over repeated cycles of desulfurization and regeneration reactions by addition of a large promoter metal oxide such as lanthanum trioxide. The pellets, which may be principally made up of a mixed metal oxide such as zinc titanate, exhibit physical stability and lack of spalling or decrepitation over repeated cycles without loss of reactivity. The lanthanum oxide is mixed with pellet-forming components in an amount of 1 to 10 weight percent.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Poston, J. A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remote drill bit loader (open access)

Remote drill bit loader

A drill bit loader is described for loading a tapered shank of a drill bit into a similarly tapered recess in the end of a drill spindle. The spindle has a transverse slot at the inner end of the recess. The end of the tapered shank of the drill bit has a transverse tang adapted to engage in the slot so that the drill bit will be rotated by the spindle. The loader is in the form of a cylinder adapted to receive the drill bit with the shank projecting out of the outer end of the cylinder. Retainer pins prevent rotation of the drill bit in the cylinder. The spindle is lowered to extend the shank of the drill bit into the recess in the spindle and the spindle is rotated to align the slot in the spindle with the tang on the shank. A spring unit in the cylinder is compressed by the drill bit during its entry into the recess of the spindle and resiliently drives the tang into the slot in the spindle when the tang and slot are aligned. In typical remote drilling operations, whether in hot cells or water pits, drill bits have been …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Dokos, J.A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remote repair appliance (open access)

Remote repair appliance

A remote appliance is described for supporting a tool for performing work at a worksite on a substantially circular bore of a workpiece and for providing video signals of the worksite to a remote monitor comprising: a baseplate having an inner face and an outer face; a plurality of rollers, wherein each roller is rotatably and adjustably attached to the inner face of the baseplate and positioned to roll against the bore of the workpiece when the baseplate is positioned against the mouth of the bore such that the appliance may be rotated about the bore in a plane substantially parallel to the baseplate; a tool holding means for supporting the tool, the tool holding means being adjustably attached to the outer face of the baseplate such that the working end of the tool is positioned on the inner face side of the baseplate; a camera for providing video signals of the worksite to the remote monitor; and a camera holding means for supporting the camera on the inner face side of the baseplate, the camera holding means being adjustably attached to the outer face of the baseplate. In a preferred embodiment, roller guards are provided to protect the rollers …
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Heumann, F.K.; Wilkinson, J.C. & Wooding, D.R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remote vacuum compaction of compressible hazardous waste (open access)

Remote vacuum compaction of compressible hazardous waste

A system is described for remote vacuum compaction and containment of low-level radioactive or hazardous waste comprising a vacuum source, a sealable first flexible container, and a sealable outer flexible container for receiving one or more first flexible containers. A method for compacting low level radioactive or hazardous waste materials at the point of generation comprising the steps of sealing the waste in a first flexible container, sealing one or more first containers within an outer flexible container, breaching the integrity of the first containers, evacuating the air from the inner and outer containers, and sealing the outer container shut.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Coyne, M. J.; Fiscus, G. M. & Sammel, A. G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Removal of oxides of nitrogen from gases in multi-stage coal combustion (open access)

Removal of oxides of nitrogen from gases in multi-stage coal combustion

Polluting NO{sub x} gas values are removed from off-gas of a multi-stage coal combustion process which includes an initial carbonizing reaction, firing of char from this reaction in a fluidized bed reactor, and burning of gases from the carbonizing and fluidized bed reactions in a topping combustor having a first, fuel-rich zone and a second, fuel-lean zone. The improvement by means of which NO{sub x} gases are removed is directed to introducing NO{sub x}-free oxidizing gas such as compressor air into the second, fuel-lean zone and completing combustion with this source of oxidizing gas. Excess air fed to the fluidized bed reactor is also controlled to obtain desired stoichiometry in the first, fuel-rich zone of the topping combustor.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Mollot, D.J.; Bonk, D.L. & Dowdy, T.E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Retaining latch for a water pit gate (open access)

Retaining latch for a water pit gate

The present invention relates to retaining devices which are used to latch two elements or parts together and, more particularly, to gate latches for use in locking a gate to a wall bracket in a water pit utilized to store or handle hazardous materials. A retaining latch is provided comprising a latch plate which is rotatably mounted to each end of the top of the gate and a recessed opening, formed in the gate frame, for engaging an edge of the latch plate. The latch plate is circular in profile with one side cut away or flat, such that the latch plate is D-shaped. The remaining circular edge of the latch plate comprises steps of successively reduced thickness. The stepped edge of the latch plate fits inside a recessed opening formed in the gate frame. As the latch plate is rotated, alternate steps of the latch plate are engaged by the recessed opening. When the latch plate is rotated such that the flat portion of the latch plate faces the recessed opening in the gate frame, there is no connection between the opening and the latch plate and the gate is unlatched from the gate frame.
Date: December 31, 1996
Creator: Beale, A.R.
System: The UNT Digital Library