US4297581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the fast and accurate identification of core power in nuclear reactors
Assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Co
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Filing: 1979-01-15
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 1999-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for rapidly and accurately generating an output signal corresponding to the power of a nuclear reactor core. The method comprises generating out of core neutron flux signals at different time intervals and utilizing predetermined relationships therebetween to adjust a more accurate thermal power signal which has a slow response to transient power conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Brunson
- 👤 Anthony F. Lexa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:26
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/36; G21D; G21D3/00; G21D3/08; G21D3/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for accurately and rapidly generating an output signal corresponding to the power of a nuclear reactor having a reactor core and a heat receiving fluid passing through said core in heat transfer relationship therewith which comprises: generating a first neutron flux signal corresponding to reactor power at a first point in time; generating a second neutron flux signal corresponding to reactor power at a subsequent point in time; generating a thermal power signal, at the subsequent point in time, derived from a thermal differential of the fluid cooling the reactor; generating an output signal, at the subsequent point in time, by varying the thermal power signal in proportion with a predetermined relationship of the first and second neutron flux signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for accurately and rapidly generating an output signal corresponding to the power of a nuclear reactor having a reactor core and a heat receiving fluid passing through said core in heat transfer relationship therewith which comprises: generating a first neutron flux signal corresponding to reactor power at a first point in time; generating a second neutron flux signal corresponding to reactor power at a subsequent point in time; generating a thermal power signal, at the subsequent point in time, derived from a thermal differential of the fluid cooling the reactor; generating an output signal, at the subsequent point in time, by varying the thermal power signal in proportion with a predetermined relationship of the first and second neutron flux signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the output signal is generated in proportion to the sum of the thermal power signal and the difference between the first and second neutron flux signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the output signal is generated in proportion to the product of the thermal power signal and a quotient of the first and second neutron flux signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the first neutron flux signal is the division of the quotient of the neutron flux signals.
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) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |