Did You Know...
...that while attempting to develop a super strong glue, 3M employee Spencer Silver accidentally developed a glue that was so weak it would barely hold two pieces of paper together? However, his colleague Art Fry needed the glue. Fry sang with his church choir and marked the pages of his hymnal with small scraps of paper that often fell out. He used Silver's glue to hold the papers in place. Today we call this invention Post-it Notes.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7424412 | Method of determining nuclear reactor core design with reduced control blade density In the method, a reference core design is generated based on a defined set of limits. The set of limits may include a target hot excess reactivity constraint to be satisfied over a given core energy cycle and a given desired control blade definition that is set for ... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7312452 | Mobile remote detection device and remote detection method for methane gas accumulations The invention relates to a mobile remote detection device for accumulations of methane, comprising an emitter device having a light source in order to generate light, the wavelength of said light source being tuned with the spectral signature of methane, whereby the... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7280946 | Method and arrangement for determining pin enrichments in fuel bundle of nuclear reactor A method and arrangement of determining pin enrichments for a fuel bundle of a nuclear reactor, where a plurality of input parameters and target conditions may be input and enrichment changes, to be made across the fuel bundle, may be calculated using response matri... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7231333 | Method and arrangement for developing core loading patterns in nuclear reactors In the method, a set of limits applicable to a core may be defined, and a test core loading pattern design, to be used for loading the core, may be determined based on the limits. Reactor operation on at least a subset of the core may be simulated to produce a plura... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7216004 | Method and system for optimization of general problems Embodiments of the disclosed invention include optimization methods and systems that receive a mathematical description of a system, in symbolic form, that includes decision variables of various types, including real-number-valued, integer-valued, and Boolean-valued... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7200541 | Method and arrangement for determining nuclear reactor core designs In the method, a set of limits are defined and a reference core design is generated based on the limits, and includes an initial loading pattern of current fresh fuel bundles arranged in a plurality of fuel locations. A unique subset of fresh fuel bundles is selecte... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7157054 | Membrane type gas sensor and method for manufacturing membrane type gas sensor A gas sensor includes a semiconductor substrate and a sensing membrane. The sensing membrane is located at the bottom of a recess, which is formed by etching the substrate, and includes a heater, heater extension electrodes, a gas sensitive film, and gas-sensitive-f... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7072723 | Method and system for optimization of general problems Embodiments of the disclosed inventinn include optimization methods and systems that receive a mathematical description of a system, in symbolic form, that includes decision variables of various types, including real-number-valued, integer-valued, and Bloolean-value... | 07/04/2006 |
| 6916664 | Flammable vapor sensor A method and apparatus for sensing a flammable vapor are described herein. Initially, a first thermal conductivity of a vapor at a first temperature and a second thermal conductivity of the vapor at a second temperature can be determined. Thereafter, a ratio of the ... | 07/12/2005 |
| 6873672 | Procedure and device for measuring resistance to hydriding of tubes and tubular claddings The method involves measuring hydrogen permeation in the tubes by mass spectrometry, wherein the tube is inserted into a high or ultrahigh vacuum device in which a mass spectrometer and a total pressure gauge are located. H2 or H2 and inert gas... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6731714 | Method for measuring tritium activity in a radioactive waste drum The invention relates to a method of measuring the tritium activity of a drum (1) of radioactive waste containing a quantity of radioactive waste (2) and a free volume, the method consisting of measuring the quantity of 3He produced by the d... | 05/04/2004 |
| 6478948 | Method of monitoring and controlling corrosion of furnace boiler tubes A method for monitoring and reducing corrosion in furnace boiler tubes measures electrochemical noise associated with corrosion mechanisms while corrosion is occurring at the surface of the tubes as they are exposed to combustion products. This noise is d... | 11/12/2002 |
| 5896432 | Brazeless electrochemical corrosion potential sensor An electrochemical corrosion potential sensor is fabricated by initially joining an electrical conductor to a sensor tip. An electrical cable is joined to the tip conductor. Ceramic powder is fused under heat around the tip conductor to form an integral a... | 04/20/1999 |
| 5848113 | Coated electrochemical corrosion potential sensor An electrochemical corrosion potential sensor includes a sensor tip electrically joined to a conductor, and a ceramic insulator joined to the tip around the conductor. A sleeve is joined to the insulator around the conductor, and is electrically insulated... | 12/08/1998 |
| 5571394 | Monolithic sensor switch for detecting presence of stoichiometric H2 /O2 ratio in boiling water reactor circuit An electrode probe for measuring the electrochemical potential of a surface at a location of interest in a boiling water reactor. The probe has a monolithic sensor configuration built into a single stainless steel mineral insulated (MI) cable. This monoli... | 11/05/1996 |
| 5546435 | Fission product leak detection in a pressurized-water reactor The invention relates to an arrangement for carrying out leak detection of a fuel assembly for a pressurized-water nuclear reactor. A substantially vertical hollow mast means open in both ends houses the fuel assembly to be examined. The fuel assembly is ... | 08/13/1996 |
| 5535253 | Method and device for detecting leaks in penetrations of a nuclear reactor vessel head during operation The method and the device are applicable to the penetrations (2) of a pressurised water nuclear reactor vessel head (1) during operation. The device includes a double circuit for picking off two gas samples (100, 16, 17; 12, 13, 14, 15) and a measurement assem... | 07/09/1996 |
| 5467375 | Gas injection system of nuclear power plant and gas injection method therefor A gas injection system of a nuclear power plant including a reactor and a gaseous waste disposal system, comprises a hydrogen injection unit for injecting hydrogen into a reactor of a nuclear power plant, an oxygen injection unit for injecting oxygen into... | 11/14/1995 |
| 5465278 | Shroud electrochemical potential monitor A method and an apparatus for measuring the degree of intergranular stress corrosion cracking protection in the area of the core shroud weldments. Electrochemical potential sensors are attached to the shroud wall and the upper core spray line at locations... | 11/07/1995 |
| 5465281 | Insulated protective coating for mitigation of stress corrosion cracking of metal components in high-temperature water A method for mitigating crack initiation and propagation on the surface of metal components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor. An electrically insulating coating is applied on the surfaces of IGSCC-susceptible reactor components. The preferred electricall... | 11/07/1995 |
| 5457720 | System for krypton-xenon concentration, separation and measurement for rapid detection of defective nuclear fuel bundles A process and system for the rapid concentration, separation and measurement of Kr-85 and Xe-133. By measuring the amount of Kr-85 radioisotope which is present, false positive signals for the vacuum sipping process can be eliminated. The fission gases ar... | 10/10/1995 |
| 5369674 | Plant diagnosis apparatus and method This invention concerns a plant diagnosis apparatus which comprises a first detecting unit for detecting a state of devices constituting a circulating system in which a fluid circulates and a second detecting unit for detecting a quality of the above-ment... | 11/29/1994 |
| 5319955 | Tritium monitor A system for continuously monitoring the concentration of tritium in an aqueous stream. The system pumps a sample of the stream to magnesium-filled combustion tube which reduces the sample to extract hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is then sent to an isoto... | 06/14/1994 |
| 5280507 | Method and apparatus for sensing obstructions in a nuclear fuel rod A method and apparatus of sensing obstructions in a tubular nuclear fuel rod or the like is disclosed. A nozzle is positioned to engage one end of the fuel rod in an air tight sealed relationship. A first gas flows through the nozzle and then into and thr... | 01/18/1994 |
| 5217596 | Electrode probe for use in aqueous environments of high temperature and high radiation An electrode probe suited for employment as an electrical potential reference electrode in an aqueous, high pressure, high temperature, and high radiation field environment such as the core of a nuclear reactor is described. The electrode is a brazed and ... | 06/08/1993 |
| 5192414 | Electrode probe for use in aqueous environments of high temperature and high radiation The present invention is addressed to an electrode for evaluating electrochemical potentials which has a robust structure particularly suiting it for employment within the rigorous environment of the reactor core of a nuclear power facility. The electrode... | 03/09/1993 |
| 5133855 | Integral cap for electrode and electrode employing same A container for electrochemical reactants for an electrode is provided, as well as electrodes employing the same. The electrodes can withstand the rigorous environment of a nuclear reactor core. The design of the container reduces stresses in the electrod... | 07/28/1992 |
| 5132075 | Method and apparatus for water chemistry diagnosis of atomic power plant Measurement values of conductivity of pH of water in the primary cooling water system of a boiling water atomic power plant are input through on-line and the measurement values of conductivity and pH at times of measurement when water quality changes are ... | 07/21/1992 |
| 5124114 | Movement detection system In a system for detecting abnormal movement of a part of a gas-cooled nuclear reactor, for example abnormal tilting of a boiler unit caused by failure of a boiler support, a tracer material is released into the gas coolant path in response to the movement... | 06/23/1992 |
| 5118913 | Container and reference electrode for use in radiated aqueous environments A container for electrochemical reactants for an electrode is provided, as well as electrodes employing the same. The electrodes can withstand the rigorous environment of a nuclear reactor core. The design of the container reduces stresses in the electrod... | 06/02/1992 |
| 5096657 | Reactor coolant void detection system A system for detecting steam voids or bubbles within a reactor coolant system. A dynamic pressure transducer detects pressure fluctuations in the coolant system and produces signals representative of steam voids within the system. The signals produced by ... | 03/17/1992 |
| 5084229 | Critical heat flux test apparatus An apparatus for testing, in situ, highly irradiated specimens at high temperature transients is provided. A specimen, which has a thermocouple device attached thereto, is manipulated into test position in a sealed quartz heating tube by a robot. An induc... | 01/28/1992 |
| 5080693 | Tritium monitor and collection system This system measures tritium on-line and collects tritium from a flowing inert gas stream. It separates the tritium from other non-hydrogen isotope contaminating gases, whether radioactive or not. The collecting portion of the system is constructed of var... | 01/14/1992 |
| 4990855 | Conductivity probe for use in the presence of high intensity nuclear radiation A conductivity probe able to withstand high water temperatures and pressures, and intense nuclear radiation is suitable for use within the core of the nuclear reactor. The probe is made with a ceramic insulator, such as sapphire, and a central electrode t... | 02/05/1991 |
| 4948492 | Electrode probe for use in aqueous environments of high temperature and high radiation An electrode probe suited for employment as a reference electrode in a high pressure, high temperature, and high radiation field environment such as adjacent the core of a nuclear reactor is described. The electrode is a brazed and welded assembly consist... | 08/14/1990 |
| 4937038 | Solution quantitative analysis apparatus, quantitative analysis methods, and nuclear reactor water quality control system This invention comprises electrochemical analytical devices capable of performing electrolysis in multiple pulse modes. It relates to a method of quantitative analysis and equipment for performing quantitative analysis which uses a combinaiton of these pu... | 06/26/1990 |
| 4935196 | Differential atmospheric tritium sampler An atmospheric tritium sampler is provided which uses a carrier gas comprised of hydrogen gas and a diluting gas, mixed in a nonexplosive concentration. Sample air and carrier gas are drawn into and mixed in a manifold. A regulator meters the carrier gas ... | 06/19/1990 |
| 4874572 | Method of and apparatus for measuring vapor density Apparatus and method determine the concentration of an individual component, such as water vapor, of a multi-component mixture, such as a gaseous mixture for cooling a nuclear reactor. A hygrometer apparatus includes an infrared source for producing a bro... | 10/17/1989 |
| 4761259 | Device for the detection of a gaseous phase in a nuclear reactor A device for detecting the presence of a gaseous phase in the tank of a nuclear reactor closed by a cover on which a plurality of vertical tubes are fixed for adapting the control rod actuating mechanism of the reactor, the adapter tubes not provided with... | 08/02/1988 |
| 4745795 | Apparatus for measuring gases dissolved in water Apparatus for measuring gases dissolved in water using a gas exchanger to which the water to be tested can be supplied via a water feed line and a carrier gas can be supplied via a gas feed line, and wherein in addition to a water drainage line for degass... | 05/24/1988 |
