US3810138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interpolative sensor output visual map display system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-10
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1992-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A sensor output visual display system is presented for coherently displaying the output readings of a plurality of sensors, such as the in-core thermocouples of a nuclear reactor. The in-core temperature distribution, as detected by the in-core thermocouples, is displayed using light intensity modulation over a reactor core map - the brighter areas on the map corresponding to the hotter areas of the core. The active display area is divided into blocks, each corresponding to a zone within the core representing a fuel rod assembly. Interpolation for assemblies not monitored directly by thermocouples is provided for a coherent display. The interpolation is performed by a resistive plate or resistor matrix constructed to conform to the geometric configuration of the reactor core. The total temperature information is then processed to interface with the display media. A visual alarm feature is included to indicate thermocouple readings which are outside preset limits and for identifying the existence of defective thermocouples.
Inventors
- 👤 S Sun
- 👤 F Thompson
- 👤 S Silverstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D7/00; G01D7/02; G01D7/04; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A sensor monitoring system for displaying a profile of the parameter monitored over a defined area divided into a plurality of zones, comprising: a plurality of sensors positioned to monitor at least a portion of the zones within the defined area, each of said sensors having a corresponding output representative of the value of the parameter monitored within the respective zones; means for interpolating the outputs of said sensors to provide an output representative of the interpolated value of the monitored parameter in each of the corresponding zones within the defined area; and means for displaying the respective interpolated values of the monitored parameter according to each of the corresponding zones so as to present the parameter profile over the defined area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A sensor monitoring system for displaying a profile of the parameter monitored over a defined area divided into a plurality of zones, comprising: a plurality of sensors positioned to monitor at least a portion of the zones within the defined area, each of said sensors having a corresponding output representative of the value of the parameter monitored within the respective zones; means for interpolating the outputs of said sensors to provide an output representative of the interpolated value of the monitored parameter in each of the corresponding zones within the defined area; and means for displaying the respective interpolated values of the monitored parameter according to each of the corresponding zones so as to present the parameter profile over the defined area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein the defined area comprises the core of a nuclear reactor and the zones correspond to the respective fuel assembly locations within the core and the sensors are arranged to monitor at least a portion of the total number of fuel assemblies within the core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said sensors monitor, respectively, fewer than said plurality of zones and said interpolating means provides an output to said display means representative of the interpolated value of the monitored parameter within each of the respective zones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system of claim 1 including means for interfacing said sensor outputs to said interpolating means so as to amplify and buffer said sensor outputs to obtain a signal of sufficient definition for interpolation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The display system of claim 4 wherein said sensor interface includes: means for sequentially addressing and reading out the output from each of said plurality of sensors; and means for storing said sensor outputs in corresponding storage locations and simultaneously presenting the respective outputs from said address means storage locations to the corresponding inputs of said interpolation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The display system of claim 5 wherein said address means includes contact relay means for sequentially connecting and communicating the outputs from each of said plurality of sensorS to the respective storage locations within said address means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system of claim 5 including means for arithmetically normalizing the outputs from said sensors to a reference value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The display system of claim 5 wherein said storage means comprise: a plurality of sample and hold modules equal to at least the number of sensors positioned to monitor the defined area, said modules having inputs from said address means and corresponding outputs to said interpolation means, said address means sequentially activating said modules to communicate the corresponding thermcouple readings to the respective modules for storage and said modules providing simultaneous outputs to the corresponding inputs of said interpolation means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said display means includes: a visual map designed to correspond to the defined area with subdivisions corresponding to the respective zones, said subdivisions being light intensity modulated according to the respective value of the parameter monitored within the corresponding zones presenting a relative light intensity profile of the monitored parameter over the defined area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system of claim 9 including means for indicating a sensor output which is outside the limits of a preselected range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display system of claim 10 wherein said indicating means flashes a light within at least a portion of the subdivision corresponding to the respective zone associated with the sensor providing the out of limits reading.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display system of claim 9 wherein said visual map is formed on an electroluminescent display comprising an electroluminescent lamp correspondingly subdivided according to the respective zones within the defined area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display system of claim 9 including means for indicating a sensor failure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system of claim 9 wherein said visual map is formed on a TV monitor display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
The display system of claim 14 wherein said TV monitor display comprises: a display interface for selectively communicating said interpolating means outputs to the input of said TV monitor; scan generator means for providing the control signals required by said TV monitor and said display interface including; vertical and horizontal blanking signals to form the outline of said visual map; selection signals for said display interface to identify the corresponding interpolation means output signal to be communicated to the visual map subdivision being scanned by the TV monitor; and a synchronization signal to synchronize said TV monitor to said scan generator so as trace sweeps across the subdivisions on the TV screen, the brightness is modulated according to the profile of the monitored parameter; and a video signal processor for interfacing the output signals from said scan generator and said display interface to said TV monitor so as to process said scan generator and display interface outputs into compatible inputs for said TV monitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said interpolation means comprises a resistive bridge constructed in the form of a matrix corresponding to the shape of the zoned defined area and wherein substantially matched resistors are positioned on the outline of each of the respective zones corresponding to the zones within the defined area, the common resistor terminals forming the nodes of the matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The display system of claim 16 wherein the respective sensor outputs are connected to the corresponding nodes of the resistor matrix in the same geometric configuration as the sensors are positioned within the defined area and the respective outputs of the matrix are taken at each of the respective matrix nodes to provide the interpolation means output.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein each one of the nodes of said matrix having an input representative of a corresponding sensor output is insulated from all other adjacent nodes of said matrix hAving an input representative of a corresponding sensor output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said interpolation means comprises a resistive plate formed substantially in the shape of the defined area having respective inputs representative of said sensor outputs geometrically arranged to correspond to said sensor location within the defined area and respective outputs geometrically arranged to correspond to the respective zone locations within the defined area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors are respectively responsive to the temperature values of a corresponding plurality of zones to provide respective outputs respresentative thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display system of claim 20 wherein said sensors comprise thermocouples.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |