Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements inventions 10/07

20070248202 - Weld testing apparatus and method for nozzles: A weld testing assembly for testing the integrity of weld used to secure a nozzle to a vessel and the like comprises a pair of plates or discs positioned on either end of the nozzle and a generally coaxially extending annular body having a diameter smaller than the nozzle stem.... Agent: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

20070248203 - T-shaped pipework element for an auxiliary circuit of a nuclear reactor, connection piece and method for producing and assembling the pipework element: The invention relates to a T-shaped pipefitting element (10) comprising a main tubular branch (10a) having a first end for the connection thereof to a first pipefitting section (7) and a second end for the connection thereof to a second pipefitting section (6), a lateral branch (10b) having an axis... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20070242790 - 10b(d,n)11c reaction based neutron generator: A neutron generator comprising a boron-10 bearing target and a low-energy accelerator, wherein said low-energy accelerator emits a plurality of particles which bombard said boron-10 bearing target to cause a 10B(d,n)11C reaction which in turn produces a plurality of neutrons having an energy value greater than about 2 MeV and... Agent: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

20070242791 - Process for producing pellets of a nuclear fuel based on a (u, pu)02 or (u, th)02 mixed oxide: The invention relates to a process for producing pellets of a nuclear fuel based on a (U,Pu)O2 or (U,Th)O2 mixed oxide which comprises a) preparing a primary mixture of powders by co-milling a UO2 powder P1 and a PuO2 or ThO2 powder P2, b) sieving this mixture, c) preparing a... Agent: Robert E. Krebs Thelen Reid & Priest

20070242792 - Fuel rod for a nuclear reactor: The nuclear reactor comprises a lower stopper sealingly fixed to a lower end of a tubular casing of the pencil that comprises a part which is internal to the casing successively comprising a first cylindrical section having a diameter which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubular... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070242793 - Spacer grid spring for increasing the conformal contact area with fuel rod: A grid strap includes a spacer grid spring that increases the conformal contact area with a fuel rod of a nuclear fuel rod assembly. The shape of the spacer grid spring of the grid strap which is in contact with the fuel rod is optimized, thereby the elasticity of the... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C.

20070237278 - Inertial fusion reactor device: An inertial fusion reactor device comprises an outer containment chamber and an inner containment chamber supported within the outer containment chamber to define a space between respective walls of the inner and outer containment chambers. Water is contained within the space for generating steam which feeds turbine generators. Fuel for... Agent: Ryan W. Dupuis Ade & Company

20070237279 - System and method for fusion power generation using very high electrical potential difference: A fusion reactor system includes a reactor core containing a device capable of generating very high electrical potential difference on nuclear fusionable material. The reactor core produces very high electrical potential difference such that the high voltage circuit causes the fusionable material to generate a plasma in the form of... Agent: Sio-hang Cheang

20070237280 - Electromagnetic confinement configuration for plasma stabilization: A magnetic confinement arrangement for confining plasma in a fusion reactor. The confinement arrangement comprises fixed coils disposed around and equidistantly distributed along an outer surface of a confinement chamber in a toroidal configuration, and pairs of overlapping pivotable coils equidistantly distributed along the outer surface of the confinement chamber.... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070237281 - Neutron generator tube having reduced internal voltage gradients and longer lifetime: A neutron generator tube for borehole logging use having reduced internal voltage gradients, increased lifetime, substantially monoenergetic neutron flux on the generator surface, and unchanging ion optics characteristics, comprising an ion source to provide a source of hydrogen isotope ions, means to store and control the pressure of hydrogen isotopes... Agent: William W. Haefliger

20070237282 - Boundary condition adjustment methods and systems: Methods and systems for reactor lattice depletion are disclosed. One exemplary method, among others, comprises the steps of defining a reactor eigenvalue, the reactor eigenvalue being a specified ratio of actual neutron production to loss in the reactor; producing a lattice eigenvalue, the lattice eigenvalue being an estimated ratio of... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20070237283 - Apparatus and method for moving a ferromagnetic element: A device and technique for placing and moving a ferromagnetic element in an annulus between coaxially arranged cylindrical tubes. The device includes an electromagnetic ram moved along the interior of a cylindrical tube. The movable ferromagnetic element is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic ram and moved by magnetic force to... Agent: Vytas R. Matas

20070230651 - Fission meter: A neutron detector system for discriminating fissile material from non-fissile material wherein a digital data acquisition unit collects data at high rate, and in real-time processes large volumes of data directly into information that a first responder can use to discriminate materials. The system comprises counting neutrons from the unknown... Agent: Eddie E. Scott Assistant Laboratory Counsel