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US3860824A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fluid driven in-core flux mapping probe system

Assignee: Nuclear Services Corp
•
Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-10-23
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Abstract

Abstract A fluid drive system is disclosed for moving a neutron flux level probe in one or more guide tubes extending into a reactor core. A guide member which is part of the probe drive system is disposed for establishing fluid communication with one of a plurality of guide tubes in the reactor core by an indexing mechanism. A flux level probe is mounted in one end of an elongated sheath. The probe end of the sheath extends through a seal or a stabilizing member secured to the guide member and the other end of the sheath is provided with a seal extending to an inner surface of the guide member, such that an expansion chamber is formed thereby. The other end of the sheath and the end of an electrical cable extending from the probe and through the sheath are secured to a take-up reel. A fluid pump is connected in a line having its one end in fluid communication with the expansion chamber formed between the seal and its other end in fluid communication with the end of the sheath which is secured to the take-up reel. Accordingly, when fluid is supplied to the expansion chamber, a fluid return extends from the probe end of the sheath, through the sheath, and through the core of the takeup reel to the other side of the pump to move the probe into one of the core guide tubes. When the fluid pump is reversed, the opposite condition exists and the probe is moved out of a core guide tube.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gerald P Stone

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 07:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/10; G21C17/108; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 128 words
A system for moving a probe in a guide member, comprising: a. a sheath extending into said guide member and including means for supporting said probe to dispose the tip of said probe in one end of said sheath, b. seal means mounted between said sheath and an inner surface of the guide member and forming an expansion chamber therebetween, said seal means engaging said sheath and said guide member for sealing the fluid flow between said expansion chamber and a second chamber receiving the tip of said probe, and c. means for varying the fluid pressure between said expansion chamber and said second chamber for establishing a fluid pressure differential between said expansion chamber and said second chamber to move said probe relative to said guide member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 128 words
A system for moving a probe in a guide member, comprising: a. a sheath extending into said guide member and including means for supporting said probe to dispose the tip of said probe in one end of said sheath, b. seal means mounted between said sheath and an inner surface of the guide member and forming an expansion chamber therebetween, said seal means engaging said sheath and said guide member for sealing the fluid flow between said expansion chamber and a second chamber receiving the tip of said probe, and c. means for varying the fluid pressure between said expansion chamber and said second chamber for establishing a fluid pressure differential between said expansion chamber and said second chamber to move said probe relative to said guide member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means permits fluid communication between the ends of said probe within said sheath, and said fluid pressure varying means including a fluid pump communicating between said expansion chamber and said second chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 73 words
A system as defined in claim 2, wherein one end of said guide member is disposed for forming said second chamber with a guide tube, said guide tube having one end closed and the other end sealingly secured to the other end of said guide member, whereby a fluid differential is established between said expansion chamber and said second chamber to move said probe relative to said guide member and said guide tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said fluid pump is reversible to permit pressure differential in either direction between said expansion chamber and said second chamber to move said probe in either direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 51 words
A system as defined in claim 2, further comprising a take-up reel including means for sealingly receiving the other end of said sheath and for communicating with a conduit, and said fluid pump being connected to said conduit through said receiving means for establishing the differential pressure to move said probe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said probe is a neutron flux level sensor, and further comprising an electrical cable extending from said sensor to said take-up reel through said sheath for supplying information in the form of electrical signals from said sensor to output terminals on said take-up reel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a take-up reel including means for receiving the other end of said sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 42 words
A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said supporting means permits fluid communication between the ends of said probe within said sheath, and said fluid pressure varying means including a fluid pump connected between said expansion chamber and said second chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sheath includes an electrical conductor having an insulating covering, a protective layer surrounding said covering, and a fluid porous material between said covering and said layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
A system as defined in claim 9, wherein said porous material is corrugated sheet material.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2874107A Cited
US3207667A Cited
US3681194A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-01-13 1978-07-15 1979-01-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-01-13 1982-07-15 1983-01-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-01-13 1986-07-15 1987-01-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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