US4079236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for monitoring the axial power distribution within the core of a nuclear reactor, exterior of the reactor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-03-05
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for establishing the axial flux distribution of a reactor core from monitored responses obtained exterior of the reactor. The monitored responses obtained exterior of the reactor. The monitored responses are obtained from at least three axially spaced flux responsive detectors that are positioned within proximity of the periphery of the reactor core. The detectors provide corresponding electrical outputs representative of the flux monitored. The axial height of the core is figuratively divided at a plurality of space coordinates sufficient to provide reconstruction in point representation of the relative flux shape along the core axis. The relative value of flux at each of the spaced coordinates is then established from a sum of the electrical outputs of the detectors, respectively, algebraically modified by a corresponding preestablished constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Kingsley F. Graham
- 👤 Raj Gopal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:35
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/10; G21C17/108; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of monitoring externally of a nuclear reactor the flux distribution along a given axis of a nuclear core of the reactor, in a manner to representatively reconstruct the relative flux shape along the given axis, comprising the steps of: monitoring the flux exterior of the reactor at at least three locations respectively positioned centered about corresponding spaced planes perpendicularly bisecting the given axis; converting the value of flux monitored at the respective positions to corresponding electrical outputs; figuratively dividing the given axis at a plurality of spaced coordinates sufficient to provide a meaningful reconstruction in point representation of the relative flux shape along the axis; and electrically establishing the relative value of flux at each of the spaced coordinates from a sum of the electrical outputs respectively algebraically modified by a corresponding preestablished constant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of monitoring externally of a nuclear reactor the flux distribution along a given axis of a nuclear core of the reactor, in a manner to representatively reconstruct the relative flux shape along the given axis, comprising the steps of: monitoring the flux exterior of the reactor at at least three locations respectively positioned centered about corresponding spaced planes perpendicularly bisecting the given axis; converting the value of flux monitored at the respective positions to corresponding electrical outputs; figuratively dividing the given axis at a plurality of spaced coordinates sufficient to provide a meaningful reconstruction in point representation of the relative flux shape along the axis; and electrically establishing the relative value of flux at each of the spaced coordinates from a sum of the electrical outputs respectively algebraically modified by a corresponding preestablished constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: predetermining the relative flux value at each of the spaced coordinates along the given axis independent of the monitored values for a number of different flux shapes equal to or greater than the number of monitoring locations; setting the predetermined flux value for each of the different flux shapes equal to the sum of the corresponding electrical monitored outputs respectively modified by the corresponding constant represented as an unknown; and simultaneously solving for the value of each of the corresponding constants.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined flux values are established from in-core flux monitoring instrumentation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of measuring the respective predetermined flux values within the core proximate the corresponding plurality of coordinates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the distances between coordinates varies along the length of the given axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the coordinates are spaced closer together at one end of the axis then at the other end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the spacing between coordinates gets progressively larger from the one end of the core axis to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the monitoring locations are symmetrically positioned along an axis parallel to the given axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the effective monitoring area at each location is spaced from the effective monitoring area of the adjacent monitoring location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the relative value of flux at each of the spaced coordinates, Z, is obtained from the Fourier expansion φ.sub.z = C.sub.1 SinZ + C.sub.2 Sin2Z + . . . + C.sub.n Sin(nZ) where Z varies along the axial height of the core between 0 and π radians and n equals the number of monitoring locations and ##EQU8## where L 1 -L n are the flux values monitored at the corresponding monitoring locations, i and j are integers which vary between 1 and n and Q -1 and A -1 are fixed predetermined matrices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 10 wherein Q.sub.ij = l/j [Cos (j·Z.sub.i) - Cos (j·z.sub.1+2) ] further including the steps of: figuratively segregating the core into n sections along the given axis; predetermining the power developed, P, in each core section independent of the monitored values, for a number of different flux shapes equal to or greater than n; measuring the corresponding monitored value L for each value of predetermined power P; and simultaneously solving for the fixed value of the matrix elements A ij from the relationship ##EQU9## and the corresponding values obtained for P and L from the different flux shapes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for monitoring externally of a nuclear reactor the flux distribution along a given axis of a nuclear core of the reactor in a manner to provide a representative reconstruction of the relative flux shape along the given axis comprising: at least three detectors responsive to measured flux to provide a representative electrical output and respectively positioned exterior of the core centered about corresponding spaced planes perpendicularly bisecting the given axis; and means for electrically establishing the relative value of flux at a plurality of spaced axial coordinates sufficient to provide a meaningful reconstruction in point representation of the relative flux shape along the axis from a sum of the detector outputs respectively algebraically modified by corresponding preestablished constants.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for monitoring externally of a nuclear reactor the flux distribution along a given axis of a nuclear core of the reactor in a manner to provide a representative reconstruction of the relative flux shape along the given axis comprising: at least three detectors responsive to measured flux to provide a representative electrical output and respectively positioned exterior of the core centered about corresponding spaced planes perpendicularly bisecting the given axis; and means for electrically establishing the relative value of flux at a plurality of spaced axial coordinates sufficient to provide a meaningful reconstruction in point representation of the relative flux shape along the axis from a sum of the detector outputs respectively algebraically modified by corresponding preestablished constants.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flux sensitive areas of the respective detectors are axially spaced from each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the detectors are symmetrically positioned along an axial parallel to the given axis and coextensive with the core axial height.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the detector outputs are respectively algebraically modified by corresponding amplifiers having respective gains equal to the corresponding preestablished constants.
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) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |