US3913407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for acoustic detection in a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1972-07-18
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1992-07-18
Abstract
Abstract The device comprises a first acoustic conductor placed vertically within the coolant liquid contained in a nuclear reactor vessel and a second coaxial acoustic conductor extending to the exterior of the reactor vessel. The device essentially comprises an accelerometer assembly for detecting signals delivered by the second conductor and an amplifier which applies the detected signals to measuring instruments located outside the reactor vessel. The accelerometer comprises an amplifying pressure needle carried by the upper end of the second conductor, a piezoelectric ceramic element, a block fitted with a spring for applying the ceramic element against the needle and a preamplifier connected in series with the amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Hanff
- 👤 Noel Lions
- 👤 Jean Peronnet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:35
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/02; G21C17/022; G21C17/025; G21C17/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for acoustic detection within the vessel of a nuclear reactor which is cooled by a circulating liquid, comprising a first acoustic conductor constituted by a tube having an open lower end and placed vertically in the liquid within the reactor vessel, a second acoustic conductor constituted by a solid rod extending to the exterior of the reactor vessel and mounted in the axis of the tube, an accelerometer assembly which detects the signals delivered by the second conductor, said accelerometer assembly including an amplifying pressure needle carried by the upper extremity of the second conductor, a piezoelectric ceramic element, a block fitted with a spring for applying said ceramic element against said needle, a preamplifier connected to said ceramic element and a travel-limiting ring carried by the lower portion of the accelerometer surrounding said amplifying needle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for acoustic detection within the vessel of a nuclear reactor which is cooled by a circulating liquid, comprising a first acoustic conductor constituted by a tube having an open lower end and placed vertically in the liquid within the reactor vessel, a second acoustic conductor constituted by a solid rod extending to the exterior of the reactor vessel and mounted in the axis of the tube, an accelerometer assembly which detects the signals delivered by the second conductor, said accelerometer assembly including an amplifying pressure needle carried by the upper extremity of the second conductor, a piezoelectric ceramic element, a block fitted with a spring for applying said ceramic element against said needle, a preamplifier connected to said ceramic element and a travel-limiting ring carried by the lower portion of the accelerometer surrounding said amplifying needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A detection device according to claim 1 including means for cooling the second acoustic conductor by a circulation of gaseous fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A detection device according to claim 2, said means for cooling including an annular space delimited between the second conductor and a coaxial sleeve rigidly fixed at the lower end thereof to said second conductor receiving the circulation of gaseous fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A detection device according to claim 1, wherein the amplifying needle has a profile selected from the group consisting of a cylindro-conical, parabolic, tri-conic and exponential profile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3240674A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |