Search Results

open access

Cermets and method for making same

Description: The present invention is directed to a method for making a wide variety of general-purpose cermets and for radioactive waste disposal from ceramic powders prepared from urea-dispersed solutions containing various metal values. The powders are formed into a compact and subjected to a rapid temperature increase in a reducing atmosphere. During this reduction, one or more of the more readily reducible oxides in the compact is reduced to a selected substoichiometric state at a temperature below the… more
Date: April 1, 1981
Creator: Aaron, W. S.; Kinser, D. L. & Quinby, T. C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Solar coal-gasification reactor with pyrolysis-gas recycle. [Patent application]

Description: Coal (or other carbonaceous matter, such as biomass) is converted into a product gas that is substantially free from hydrocarbons. The coal is fed into a solar reactor, and solar energy is directed into the reactor onto coal char, creating a gasification front and a pyrolysis front. A gasification zone is produced well above the coal level within the reactor. A pyrolysis zone is produced immediately above the coal level. Steam, injected into the reactor adjacent to the gasification zone, reacts… more
Date: April 6, 1981
Creator: Aiman, W.R. & Gregg, D.W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

High-efficiency photoionization detector

Description: A high efficiency photoionization detector using tetraaminoethylenes in a gaseous state having a low ionization potential and a relative photoionization cross section which closely matches the emission spectrum of xenon gas. Imaging proportional counters are also disclosed using the novel photoionization detector of the invention. The compound of greatest interest is TMAE which comprises tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene which has a measured ionization potential of 5.36 +- 0.02 eV, and a vapor pr… more
Date: May 12, 1981
Creator: Anderson, D.F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Portable vacuum object handling device

Description: The disclosure relates to a portable device adapted to handle objects which are not to be touched by hand. A piston and bore wall form a vacuum chamber communicating with an adaptor sealably engageable with an object to be lifted. The piston is manually moved and set to establish vacuum. A valve is manually actuable to apply the vacuum to lift the object.
Date: July 30, 1981
Creator: Anderson, G.H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Self-actuating reactor-shutdown system. [LMFBR]

Description: A control system for the automatic or self-actuated shutdown or scram of a nuclear reactor is described. The system is capable of initiating scram insertion by a signal from the plant protection system or by independent action directly sensing reactor conditions of low-flow or over-power. Self-actuation due to a loss of reactor coolant flow results from a decrease of pressure differential between the upper and lower ends of an absorber element. When the force due to this differential falls belo… more
Date: June 4, 1981
Creator: Barrus, D.M.; Brummond, W.A. & Peterson, L.F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Thermionic switched self-actuating reactor shutdown system

Description: A self-actuating reactor shutdown system is described which has a thermionic switched electromagnetic latch arrangement which is responsive to reactor neutron flux changes and to reactor coolant temperature changes. The system is self-actuating in that the sensing thermionic device acts directly to release (scram) the control rod (absorber) without reference or signal from the main reactor plant protective and control systems. To be responsive to both temperature and neutron flux effects, two d… more
Date: June 4, 1981
Creator: Barrus, Donald M.; Shires, Charles D. & Brummond, William A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

High-temperature electrically conductive ceramic composite and method for making same

Description: The present invention relates to a metal-oxide ceramic composition useful in induction heating applications for treating uranium and uranium alloys. The ceramic composition is electrically conductive at room temperature and is nonreactive with molten uranium. The composition is prepared from a particulate admixture of 20 to 50 vol. % niobium and zirconium oxide which may be stabilized with an addition of a further oxide such as magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, or yttria. The composition is prepa… more
Date: June 9, 1981
Creator: Beck, D.E.; Gooch, J.G.; Holcombe, C.E. Jr. & Masters, D.R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Radioactive-materials shipping-cask anticontamination enclosure

Description: An anticontamination device for use in storing shipping casks for radioactive materials comprises (1) a seal plate assembly; (2) a double-layer plastic bag; and (3) a water management system or means for water management.
Date: August 18, 1981
Creator: Belmonte, M.S.; Davis, J.H. & Williams, D.A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Intense transient magnetic-field generation by laser plasma

Description: In a laser system, the return current of a laser generated plasma is conducted near a target to subject that target to the magnetic field thereof. In alternate embodiments the target may be either a small non-fusion object for testing under the magnetic field or a laser-fusion pellet. In the laser-fusion embodiment, the laser-fusion pellet is irradiated during the return current flow and the intense transient magnetic field is used to control the hot electrons thereof to hinder them from striki… more
Date: August 18, 1981
Creator: Benjamin, R.F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Automatic voltage-imbalance detector

Description: A device is described for indicating and preventing damage to voltage cells such as galvanic cells and fuel cells connected in series by detecting sequential voltages and comparing these voltages to adjacent voltage cells. The device is implemented by using operational amplifiers and switching circuitry is provided by transistors. The device can be utilized in battery powered electric vehicles to prevent galvanic cell damage and also in series connected fuel cells to prevent fuel cell damage.
Date: May 20, 1981
Creator: Bobbett, R. E.; McCormick, J. B. & Kerwin, W. J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Frequency spectrum analyzer with phase-lock

Description: A frequency-spectrum analyzer with phase-lock for analyzing the frequency and amplitude of an input signal is comprised of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) which is driven by a ramp generator, and a phase error detector circuit. The phase error detector circuit measures the difference in phase between the VCO and the input signal, and drives the VCO locking it in phase momentarily with the input signal. The input signal and the output of the VCO are fed into a correlator which transfers th… more
Date: July 29, 1981
Creator: Boland, Thomas J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Microscope and method of use

Description: A method and apparatus for electronically focusing and electronically scanning microscopic specimens are given. In the invention, visual images of even moving, living, opaque specimens can be acoustically obtained and viewed with virtually no time needed for processing (i.e., real time processing is used). And planar samples are not required. The specimens (if planar) need not be moved during scanning, although it will be desirable and possible to move or rotate nonplanar specimens (e.g., laser… more
Date: August 18, 1981
Creator: Bongianni, W.L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Bioluminescence monitor and method for enzymatic determinations. [Patents]

Description: An on-line, nonreferenced apparatus for measuring the concentration of a biomarker species in authentic biological samples in solution comprises conduit means for conducting said sample solution from a source of said solution, stream diversion means disposed within the conduit for diverting a predetermined amount of said sample for analysis, means for introducing and independently regulating the flow of one or more reactants disposed in fluid communication with said diverted stream, incubating … more
Date: April 28, 1981
Creator: Bostick, William D.; Denton, Mark S. & Dinsmore, Stanley R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Combination free-electron and gaseous laser

Description: A multiple laser having one or more gaseous laser stages and one or more free electron stages is described. Each of the free electron laser stages is sequentially pumped by a microwave linear accelerator. Subsequently, the electron beam is directed through a gaseous laser, in the preferred embodiment, and in an alternative embodiment, through a microwave accelerator to lower the energy level of the electron beam to pump one or more gaseous lasers. The combination laser provides high pulse repet… more
Date: June 8, 1981
Creator: Brau, C. A.; Rockwood, S. D. & Stein, W. E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Free-electron laser using rf-coupled accelerating and decelerating structures

Description: A free electron laser and free electron laser amplifier using beam transport devices for guiding an electron beam to a wiggler of a free electron laser and returning the electron beam to decelerating cavities disposed adjacent to the accelerating cavities of the free electron laser. Rf energy is extracted from the electron beam after it emerges from the wiggler by means of the decelerating cavities which are closely coupled to the accelerating cavities, or by means of a second bore within a sin… more
Date: June 19, 1981
Creator: Brau, C.A.; Swenson, D.A. & Boyd, T.J. Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

In-situ vitrification of soil. [Patent application]

Description: A method of vitrifying soil at or below a soil surface location. Two or more conductive electrodes are inserted into the soil for heating of the soil mass between them to a temperature above its melting temperature. Materials in the soil, such as buried waste, can thereby be effectively immobilized.
Date: April 6, 1981
Creator: Brouns, R. A.; Buelt, J. L. & Bonner, W. F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Separator assembly for use in spent-nuclear-fuel shipping cask. [Patent application]

Description: A separator assembly for use in a spent-nuclear-fuel shipping cask has a honeycomb-type wall structure defining parallel cavities for holding nuclear fuel assemblies. Tubes formed of an effective neutron-absorbing material are embedded in the wall structure around each of the cavities and provide neutron flux traps when filled with water.
Date: April 24, 1981
Creator: Bucholz, J.A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Gamma-thermometer-based reactor-core liquid-level detector. [PWR]

Description: A system is provided which employs a modified gamma thermometer for determining the liquid coolant level within a nuclear reactor core. The gamma thermometer which normally is employed to monitor local core heat generation rate (reactor power), is modified by thermocouple junctions and leads to obtain an unambiguous indication of the presence or absence of coolant liquid at the gamma thermometer location. A signal processor generates a signal based on the thermometer surface heat transfer coeff… more
Date: June 16, 1981
Creator: Burns, T.J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Method and apparatus for aerosol-particle absorption spectroscopy. [DOE patent application]

Description: A method and apparatus are described for determining the absorption spectra, and other properties, of aerosol particles. A heating beam source provides a beam of electromagnetic energy which is scanned through the region of the spectrum which is of interest. Particles exposed to the heating beam which have absorption bands within the band width of the heating beam absorb energy from the beam. The particles are also illuminated by light of a wave length such that the light is scattered by the pa… more
Date: June 25, 1981
Creator: Campillo, Anthony J. & Lin, Horn-Bond
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Compressor surge counter

Description: A surge counter for a rotating compressor is provided which detects surging by monitoring the vibration signal from an accelerometer mounted on the shaft bearing of the compressor. The circuit detects a rapid increase in the amplitude envelope of the vibration signal, e.g., 4 dB or greater in less than one second, which is associated with a surge onset and increments a counter. The circuit is rendered nonresponsive for a period of about 5 seconds following the detection which corresponds to the… more
Date: April 13, 1981
Creator: Castleberry, K.N.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nitrogen fixation method and apparatus. [DOE patent application]

Description: A method and apparatus for achieving nitrogen fixation includes a volumetric electric discharge chamber. The volumetric discharge chamber provides an even distribution of an electron beam, and enables the chamber to be maintained at a controlled energy to pressure (E/p) ratio. An E/p ratio of from 5 to 15 kV/atm of O/sub 2//cm promotes the formation of vibrationally excited N/sub 2/. Atomic oxygen interacts with vibrationally excited N/sub 2/ at a much quicker rate than unexcited N/sub 2/, grea… more
Date: August 11, 1981
Creator: Chen, H. L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Multiple sextupole system for the correction of third- and higher-order aberration

Description: A means is provided for compensating for third and higher order aberration in charged particle beam devices. The means includes two sextupoles with an intermediate focusing lens, all positioned between two focusing lenses.
Date: April 1, 1981
Creator: Crewe, A.V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Neutral beamline with improved ion-energy recovery

Description: A neutral beamline generator with unneutralized ion energy recovery is provided which enhances the energy recovery of the full energy ion component of the beam exiting the neutralizer cell of the beamline. The unneutralized full energy ions exiting the neutralizer are deflected from the beam path and the electrons in the cell are blocked by a magnetic field applied transverse to the beamline in the cell exit region. The ions, which are generated at essentially ground potential and accelerated t… more
Date: April 13, 1981
Creator: Dagenhart, William K.; Haselton, Halsey H.; Stirling, William L. & Whealton, John H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Apparatus and method for pyrolyzing biomass material

Description: A technique for pyrolyzing biomass materials is disclosed wherein a hot surface is provided having a predetermined temperature which is sufficient to pyrolyze only the surface strata of the biomass material without substantially heating the interior of the biomass material thereby providing a large temperature gradient from the surface strata inwardly of the relatively cool biomass materials. Relative motion and physical contact is produced between the surface strata and the hot surface for a s… more
Date: August 21, 1981
Creator: Diebold, J. P. & Reed, T. B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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