US3612860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Equipment for monitoring the radioactivity of coolant in a nuclear reactor
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1968-08-05
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1988-08-05
Abstract
Abstract Equipment for testing for failed nuclear reactor fuel elements has means for presenting samples of coolant from individual fuel elements or groups thereof sequentially to a first detector for detecting such radiation as would be associated with a coolant sample from a failed element, means for presenting the bulked remaining samples to a second separate detector for the said radiation and means to cause the sequentially selected sample to join the bulked samples after passing the first detector. The described equipment is particularly suitable for employment with a liquid metal cooled fast nuclear reactor.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Hackney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C1/00; G21C1/02; G21C1/03; G21C17/00; G21C17/02; G21C17/04; G21C17/042; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the said means at the common collecting chamber for passing the individual samples of reactor coolant sequentially through the second elongated conduit includes a fixed annular member having spaced orifices with each of which a coolant sample pipe communicates, and a collecting pipe rotatable about the axis of said annular member and communicating at one end with said second elongated conduit and at the other end in collecting manner with each of said orifices in turn as the pipe is rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Equipment according to claim 2, wherein the common collecting chamber in which the individual samples of reactor coolant mix to form a bulk coolant sample comprises a Collecting shroud enclosing said annular member, penetrated in sealing manner by said rotatable collecting pipe, and communicating with said first elongated conduit, whereby coolant samples from all the said orifices except the one with which said rotatable collecting pipe is in communication are collected and passed to said first elongated conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first elongated conduit and said second conduit are provided with flow couplers for inducing flow of coolant therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Equipment according to claim 1, wherein a flowmeter is incorporated in said second elongated conduit for enabling any blockage thereof to be rapidly detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Equipment according to claim 1, as applied to a fast nuclear reactor cooled by liquid metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Equipment for testing for failure of nuclear reactor fuel element assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet of the second elongated conduit is connected for passage of the individual samples of reactor coolant from the second elongated conduit into the bulk coolant sample in the common collecting chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
Equipment for testing for failure of nuclear reactor fuel element assemblies comprising means for feeding samples of reactor coolant each derived from a specific fuel element assembly to a common collecting chamber, means at the common collecting chamber for permitting mixing of the individual samples of reactor coolant to form a bulk coolant sample, means for passing said bulk coolant sample continuously from said common collecting chamber to a first detecting station for continuously detecting radiation in said bulk coolant sample, and means operative concurrently with the continuous detecting of the bulk coolant sample for isolating the individual samples, one at a time and in sequence, and passing them to a second station for detecting radiation in said individual samples.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2971089A
Cited
US3121789A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |