Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc.

American Potato Company

Harry R Deveraux

John L Veeneman

Marion E Thomas

Dan L Robinson

Richard K Welty

A method and system for fuel rod pressurization and for verifying when pressurization of a fuel rod containing nuclear fuel has taken place. One end of the loaded fuel rod is inserted into a pressure chamber in sealed relation thereto, whereupon the chamber is evacuated to remove the air present. Then the chamber is pressurized with an inert gas. The fuel rod then is drilled to provide an opening in the end of the fuel rod in the chamber, whereupon the rod is pressurized with the inert gas present in the chamber. Acoustic transducers are attached to the fuel rod at predetermined locations externally of the chamber for monitoring any noise which occurs during the pressurization process, which is transmitted through the metal walls of the rod to the transducers. The transducers generate electrical signals which are proportional to the amplitude of the noise sensed and by observing the signals a calibration of the activity going on can be maintained. A pressure transducer is connected with the pressure chamber for monitoring the status of the pressure in the chamber and providing an output signal which is proportional thereto. The acoustic and pressure signals are processed through appropriate electronic circuitry and recorded in analog and/or digital fashion for providing a comparative indication as to the status of when the necessary steps and activities for pressurization of the fuel rod have been accomplished.

Fuel rod pressurization

A process for automatically preparing french fries comprising the steps of cooking french fry shaped pieces of potato dough in a hot oil contained in an imperforate container having a drum shaped basket having a perforate cylindric wall and opposed overlapping arcuate segments which rotate to provide a tumbling agitation of said pieces, to insure uniform contact with said oil, which is interrupted for a time sufficient to complete the cooking of said pieces which thereafter are drained of any excess oil prior to transferring the drained pieces to a holding area.

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Idaho Falls, ID, United States of America

Harry R Deveraux