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US4710341A
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Apparatus and method for closed-loop control of reactor power
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1986-09-12
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2006-09-12
Abstract
Abstract Closed-loop controller for altering the power level of nuclear reactors in a safe manner and without overshoot. Apparatus is provided for moving a control element such as a control rod or for adjusting the concentration of a soluble neutron absorber (chemical shim) for altering the nuclear reactor power level. A computer computes at short time intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e '(t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)). The direction of motion of the control element is altered when these two functions become equal thereby resulting in the attainment of a new power level without overshoot. In a preferred embodiment, these two functions are computed at intervals of approximately one second.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Bernard
- 👤 Allan F. Henry
- 👤 David D. Lanning
- 👤 Kwan S. Kwok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C7/00; G21C7/36; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S376/00; Y10S376/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustments in reactivity balance comprising: means for adjusting said reactivity balance; and computing apparatus for computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby net reactivity is limited by adjusting said reactivity balance when the two functions become equal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustments in reactivity balance comprising: means for adjusting said reactivity balance; and computing apparatus for computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby net reactivity is limited by adjusting said reactivity balance when the two functions become equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting reactivity balance includes apparatus for moving a control element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting reactivity balance includes apparatus for changing the concentration of a soluble absorber (chemical shim).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interval is of the order of one second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustments in reactivity balance comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t) and adjusting said reactivity balance to limit net reactivity when the two functions become equal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustments in reactivity balance comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t) and adjusting said reactivity balance to limit net reactivity when the two functions become equal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said interval is on the order of one second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by movement of a control element comprising: apparatus for moving said control element; and computing apparatus for computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby the direction of motion of said control element is altered when the two functions become equal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by movement of a control element comprising: apparatus for moving said control element; and computing apparatus for computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby the direction of motion of said control element is altered when the two functions become equal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said interval is of the order of one second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control element is a control rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control element is a shim blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by movement of a control element comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); and altering the direction of the motion of said control element when the two functions become equal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by movement of a control element comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); and altering the direction of the motion of said control element when the two functions become equal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said interval is of the order of one second.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for closed loop control of reactor power, in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustment of the concentration of a soluble absorber (chemical shim) comprising: apparatus for changing the concentration of said soluble absorber; and computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby the concentration of said soluble absorber (chemical shim) is altered when the two functions become equal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for closed loop control of reactor power, in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustment of the concentration of a soluble absorber (chemical shim) comprising: apparatus for changing the concentration of said soluble absorber; and computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)); whereby the concentration of said soluble absorber (chemical shim) is altered when the two functions become equal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said interval is of the order of one second.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustment of the concentration of soluble absorber (chemical shim) comprising: computing repeatedly at internals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)): and adjusting the concentration of said soluble absorber (chemical shim) when the two functions become equal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method for closed-loop control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered by adjustment of the concentration of soluble absorber (chemical shim) comprising: computing repeatedly at internals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)): and adjusting the concentration of said soluble absorber (chemical shim) when the two functions become equal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said interval is of the order of one second.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
92 words
Method for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed-loop control law or an open-loop decision of a human operator comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) in a supervisory closed-loop controller; and overriding the decision of the closed-loop control law or the human operator by adjusting the net reactivity present in the core to avoid a power overshoot or undershoot when the two functions become equal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
Method for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed-loop control law or an open-loop decision of a human operator comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) in a supervisory closed-loop controller; and overriding the decision of the closed-loop control law or the human operator by adjusting the net reactivity present in the core to avoid a power overshoot or undershoot when the two functions become equal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed-loop control law or an open-loop decision of a human operator comprising: a supervisory closed-loop controller adapted to compute repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)), whereby the supervisory controller overrides the decision of either the closed-loop control law or the human operator by adjusting the net reactivity present in the core to avoid a power overshoot or undershoot when the two functions become equal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed-loop control law or an open-loop decision of a human operator comprising: a supervisory closed-loop controller adapted to compute repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)), whereby the supervisory controller overrides the decision of either the closed-loop control law or the human operator by adjusting the net reactivity present in the core to avoid a power overshoot or undershoot when the two functions become equal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed loop control law or an open loop decision of a human operator comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) in a supervisory closed loop controller; and providing a warning when the two functions become equal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed loop control law or an open loop decision of a human operator comprising: computing repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) in a supervisory closed loop controller; and providing a warning when the two functions become equal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed loop control law or an open loop decision of a human operator comprising: a supervisory closed loop controller adapted to compute repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) and to provide a warning when the two functions become equal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for control of reactor power in a nuclear reactor in which power level is altered in response to either a closed loop control law or an open loop decision of a human operator comprising: a supervisory closed loop controller adapted to compute repeatedly at intervals the two functions [ρ(t)-|ρ c |/λ e ' (t)]/|ρ c | and τ(t)ln(P F /P(t)) and to provide a warning when the two functions become equal.
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) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |