US4067771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear reactor containment spray testing system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1976-04-22
•
Granted: 1978-01-10
•
Expires: 1996-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for periodic testing of a spray system in a nuclear reactor containment. The method includes injecting a gas into the spray system such that a temperature differential exists between the gas and the containment atmosphere. Scanning the gas jet discharged from the spray nozzles with infrared apparatus then provides a real-time thermal image on a monitor, such as a cathode ray tube, and detects any partially or completely blocked nozzles in the spray system. The scanning may be performed from the containment operating deck.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Rubin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:03
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C15/00; G21C15/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for testing a containment spray system in a containment structure of a nuclear reactor plant, said containment structure having an internal containment atmosphere and said spray system comprising spray nozzles flow connected to flow conduits positioned within said atmosphere, said method comprising: a. cooling said gas to a temperature at least 20 Fahrenheit degrees less than the temperature of said containment atmosphere; b. injecting said cooled gas into said flow conduits such that said gas flows through said conduits to at least some of said nozzles, completely through said some nozzles, and is discharged from each of said some nozzles as a gas jet into said containment atmosphere, each said gas jet being cooler than said atmosphere; and c. scanning each said gas jet with an infrared thermal detection device, said device including a real time thermal image producing monitor, whereby a real time thermal image discharge pattern of each said gas jet within said atmosphere is detected as a result of the difference in temperature between each said gas jet and said containment atmosphere.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for testing a containment spray system in a containment structure of a nuclear reactor plant, said containment structure having an internal containment atmosphere and said spray system comprising spray nozzles flow connected to flow conduits positioned within said atmosphere, said method comprising: a. cooling said gas to a temperature at least 20 Fahrenheit degrees less than the temperature of said containment atmosphere; b. injecting said cooled gas into said flow conduits such that said gas flows through said conduits to at least some of said nozzles, completely through said some nozzles, and is discharged from each of said some nozzles as a gas jet into said containment atmosphere, each said gas jet being cooler than said atmosphere; and c. scanning each said gas jet with an infrared thermal detection device, said device including a real time thermal image producing monitor, whereby a real time thermal image discharge pattern of each said gas jet within said atmosphere is detected as a result of the difference in temperature between each said gas jet and said containment atmosphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2816233A
Cited
US3528884A
Cited
US3635085A
Cited
US3736790A
Cited
US3854821A
Cited
US3791194A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-09 | 1981-07-11 | 1982-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-09 | 1985-07-11 | 1986-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-09 | 1989-07-11 | 1990-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |