US3724484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particle density control system for colloid core nuclear reactor
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1971-07-13
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A control system as provided in the fuel charging system for a colloid core reactor to control the particle density in the fuel input to the reactor cavity. A sound transmitter is positioned on one side of a tubular member in the fuel input, and a microphone is located on the opposite side of the tubular member. A signal, proportional to changes in phase resulting from changes in the acoustics in the tubular member, is used to control the gas flow in a by-pass to a cyclone separator fuel supply to control the particle density in the input to the reactor cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 B Turman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:13
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/28; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/2562
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
An apparatus for indicating the particle density in a particle laden gas comprising: a tubular element adapted to receive the particle laden gas at one end and for discharging the particlE laden gas at the other end; a signal generator having a signal output means; means, including a sound producing means connected to the output means of said signal generator and positioned on one side of the tubular element, for directing a sound signal into the tubular element; sound receiving means on the side of the tubular element opposite the means for directing a sound signal into the tubular element for providing an output signal in response to said sound signal means responsive to the signal output means of said signal generator and the output signal of the sound receiving means for indicating the phase between signal input to the sound producing means and the output signal of the sound receiving means; a first acoustic screen having openings less than one tenth of a wave length of the sound signal, adapted to pass the particle laden gas, positioned within the tubular element on one side of the sound producing means a distance of at least two wave lengths of the sound signal, a second acoustic screen having openings less than one tenth of a wave length of the sound signal, adapted to pass the particle laden gas, positioned within the tubular element on the other side of the sound producing means a distance of at least two wave lengths of the sound signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
An apparatus for indicating the particle density in a particle laden gas comprising: a tubular element adapted to receive the particle laden gas at one end and for discharging the particlE laden gas at the other end; a signal generator having a signal output means; means, including a sound producing means connected to the output means of said signal generator and positioned on one side of the tubular element, for directing a sound signal into the tubular element; sound receiving means on the side of the tubular element opposite the means for directing a sound signal into the tubular element for providing an output signal in response to said sound signal means responsive to the signal output means of said signal generator and the output signal of the sound receiving means for indicating the phase between signal input to the sound producing means and the output signal of the sound receiving means; a first acoustic screen having openings less than one tenth of a wave length of the sound signal, adapted to pass the particle laden gas, positioned within the tubular element on one side of the sound producing means a distance of at least two wave lengths of the sound signal, a second acoustic screen having openings less than one tenth of a wave length of the sound signal, adapted to pass the particle laden gas, positioned within the tubular element on the other side of the sound producing means a distance of at least two wave lengths of the sound signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means responsive to the signal output means of the signal generator and the output signal of the sound receiving means includes means for providing a control output signal proportional to the phase difference between the input to the sound producing means and the output signal of the sound receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
In combination with the apparatus recited in claim 2, means including a particle supply for supplying particle laden gas to said one end of said tubular element and means responsive to the control output signal proportional to the phase difference between the input to the sound producing means and the output signal of the sound receiving means for controlling the particle density in particle laden gas passing through the tubular element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the means for controlling particle density includes means for supplying a gas flow through the particle supply to provide the particle laden gas flow through the tubular element; means for providing a by-pass flow of gas around the particle supply and valve means, responsive the control output signal for controlling the flow through the particle supply and through the by-pass flow means whereby the particle density in the tubular element can be controlled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |