US4411858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power performance monitoring system for nuclear reactor fuel core
Assignee: Scandpower Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-30
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2001-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Direct power shape monitoring in parallel with precision power monitoring is effected by use of gamma sensors in the fuel core and signal processing that includes compensation for slow signal response and takes advantage of a substantially direct relationship of sensor signal to linear power generation rate. Continous readout from the direct power shape monitor is available during readout interruptions in the precision monitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:46
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/36; G21C17/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a method of monitoring power developed in a nuclear reactor by generating power measurement signals in response to fission products produced by groups of fuel rods and processing said signals together with data relating to a plurality of parameters associated with the nuclear reactor to produce a precision power shape readout that is intermittantly interrupted, the improvement residing in the selection of sensors which internally generate heat in response to gamma radiation resulting from said fission products whereby the measurement signals are directly related to linear power generation rate of the fuel rods; separately processing said signals without said data to produce a second but continuous power shape readout that is available during the interruptions in the first mentioned precision power shape readout; and calibrating the separately processed signals in accordance with the precision power shape readout to correct the second continuous power shape readout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a method of monitoring power developed in a nuclear reactor by generating power measurement signals in response to fission products produced by groups of fuel rods and processing said signals together with data relating to a plurality of parameters associated with the nuclear reactor to produce a precision power shape readout that is intermittantly interrupted, the improvement residing in the selection of sensors which internally generate heat in response to gamma radiation resulting from said fission products whereby the measurement signals are directly related to linear power generation rate of the fuel rods; separately processing said signals without said data to produce a second but continuous power shape readout that is available during the interruptions in the first mentioned precision power shape readout; and calibrating the separately processed signals in accordance with the precision power shape readout to correct the second continuous power shape readout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said signals are initially calibrated to reflect the rate of gamma heating of the sensors and are processed to reflect power generated by the fuel rods adjacent to each of the sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2 including the step of modifying the readouts to compensate for delayed signal response of the measurement signals to changes in power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 including the step of modifying the readouts to compensate for delayed signal response of the measurement signals to changes in power.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a method of monitoring power developed in a nuclear reactor by generating power measurement signals in response to fission products produced by groups of fuel rods, the improvement residing in the steps of: utilizing sensors which internally generate heat in response to gamma radiation resulting from said fission products whereby the measurement signals have a delayed response to changes in power; processing said signals to produce a power shape readout; and filtering said readout to compensate for the delayed response to changes in power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a method of monitoring power developed in a nuclear reactor by generating power measurement signals in response to fission products produced by groups of fuel rods, the improvement residing in the steps of: utilizing sensors which internally generate heat in response to gamma radiation resulting from said fission products whereby the measurement signals have a delayed response to changes in power; processing said signals to produce a power shape readout; and filtering said readout to compensate for the delayed response to changes in power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said signals are initially calibrated to reflect the rate of gamma heating of the sensors and are processed to reflect power generated by the fuel rods adjacent to each of the sensors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1350809A
Cited
US3638018A
Cited
US3599474A
Cited
US3810138A
Cited
US3738174A
Cited
US4045282A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |