US4069097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring flux deviations in a nuclear reactor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1975-11-11
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Granted: 1978-01-17
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Expires: 1995-11-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for sensitively monitoring flux deviations along a given core plane of a nuclear reactor as detected by a plurality of flux sensitive detectors positioned around the periphery of the core within the monitoring plane. The detector responses are averaged and the respective detector outputs exceeding the average are summed and compared to a preselected design setpoint. Sums of the detector outputs exceeding the setpoint are annunciated alerting the plant operator to take corrective action to avoid surpassing design limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred J. Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/10; G21C17/108; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An improved method for identifying power maldistributions within a given plane of a core of a nuclear reactor comprising the steps of: measuring a parameter representative of the power within the core at a preset number of locations within the given plane; supplying an electrical output representative of the power measured at the respective preset locations; electrically averaging the respective measured powers; electrically summing the electrical outputs representative of the measured power at the respective locations which deviate in a given direction from the average measured power; comparing a value representative of the sum to a predetermined setpoint; supplying an alarm when the sum exceeds the setpoint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved method for identifying power maldistributions within a given plane of a core of a nuclear reactor comprising the steps of: measuring a parameter representative of the power within the core at a preset number of locations within the given plane; supplying an electrical output representative of the power measured at the respective preset locations; electrically averaging the respective measured powers; electrically summing the electrical outputs representative of the measured power at the respective locations which deviate in a given direction from the average measured power; comparing a value representative of the sum to a predetermined setpoint; supplying an alarm when the sum exceeds the setpoint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the setpoint is a preset percentage of the average power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preset locations are symmetrically positioned with respect to the nuclear core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein four preset locations are measured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring locations are positioned external to the core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein reactivity within the core is altered by control means movable into and out of the core along a prescribed plane of the core and wherein the given plane is perpendicular to the preselected plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the summing step sums the electrical outputs representative of the measured power at the respective locations which are larger than the average measured power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the measured parameter is nuclear flux.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for identifying maldistributions within a given plane of a core of a nuclear reactor comprising: a plurality of detectors positioned to measure a parameter representative of the power within the core at a preset number of locations within the given plane, each of the plurality of detectors being responsive to the measured parameter at the corresponding detector location to provide a representative electrical output; means for averaging the respective detector outputs; means for summing the respective detector outputs that deviate in a given direction from the average; and means for comparing the sum to a preset setpoint and annunciating a signal when the sum exceeds the setpoint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for identifying maldistributions within a given plane of a core of a nuclear reactor comprising: a plurality of detectors positioned to measure a parameter representative of the power within the core at a preset number of locations within the given plane, each of the plurality of detectors being responsive to the measured parameter at the corresponding detector location to provide a representative electrical output; means for averaging the respective detector outputs; means for summing the respective detector outputs that deviate in a given direction from the average; and means for comparing the sum to a preset setpoint and annunciating a signal when the sum exceeds the setpoint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for electrically calculating the setpoint as a predetermined percentage of the average of the respective detector outputs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the detector locations are symmetrically positioned with respect to the nuclear core.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the detectors are positioned external to the nuclear core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for summing sums the respective detector outputs that exceed the average.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the measured parameter is nuclear flux.
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) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |