US4837705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for calculating the rate of frequency of random events
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1987-02-25
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Granted: 1989-06-06
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Expires: 2007-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining the rate of change of frequency of a plurality of randomly occurring events begins by counting the number of random events which occur within a plurality of predetermined sampling intervals to obtain a plurality of count values, each corresponding to one of the sampling intervals. These count values are stored in a memory table and the count values which correspond to the most recent set of N of the sampling intervals is summed to obtain a first accumulated count. A second accumulated count is obtained by summing the count values which correspond to a second set of N of the sampling intervals, preceding the most recent set. The rate of change of event frequency is then calculated by dividing the logarithm of (S 1 /S 2 ) by the number N. The value of the number N is dynamically adjusted for subsequent calculations based on the incoming frequency of random events.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Mussler
- 👤 Jane P. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R23/00; G01R23/02; G01R23/15; G01R23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of monitoring the rate of change of frequency of neutron activity in a nuclear reactor, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of electric pulses in response to neutrons entering a neutron detector; counting the number of said pulses which occur within a plurality of predetermined sampling intervals, to obtain a plurality of count values, each corresponding to one of said sampling intervals; storing said count values in a memory table; summing said count values which correspond to a most recent set of N of said sampling intervals, to obtain a first accumulated count, S 1 ; summing said count values which correspond to a second set of N of said sampling intervals, preceding said most recent set, to obtain a second accumulated count, S 2 ; calculating the rate of change of event frequency by dividing the logarithm of (S 1 /S 2 ), by N; and displaying said rate of change of frequency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of monitoring the rate of change of frequency of neutron activity in a nuclear reactor, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of electric pulses in response to neutrons entering a neutron detector; counting the number of said pulses which occur within a plurality of predetermined sampling intervals, to obtain a plurality of count values, each corresponding to one of said sampling intervals; storing said count values in a memory table; summing said count values which correspond to a most recent set of N of said sampling intervals, to obtain a first accumulated count, S 1 ; summing said count values which correspond to a second set of N of said sampling intervals, preceding said most recent set, to obtain a second accumulated count, S 2 ; calculating the rate of change of event frequency by dividing the logarithm of (S 1 /S 2 ), by N; and displaying said rate of change of frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: dynamically adjusting the value of N used in the calculating step, to produce an adjusted value of N; and using said adjusted value of N in a subsequent calculation of rate of change of frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said dynamically adjusting step comprises the steps of: measuring an initial frequency of said pulses, to obtain a measured frequency; comparing said measured frequency with a threshold frequency; and adjusting the value of N based on the result of the comparison of said measured frequency and said threshold frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of: comparing a calculated rate of change, based on a first value of N, with a predetermined threshold rate of change; and decreasing the value of N if the calculated rate of change exceeds the threshold rate of change.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said calculating step is repeated and said decreasing step includes the steps of: reducing the value of N by a first preselected integral number prior to each calculation of rate of change, until either the value of N reaches a preselected minimum or the calculated rate of change is less than said predetermined threshold rate of change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 5, wherein following said decreasing step, if either the value of N has reached said preselected minimum or the calculated rate of change is less than said predetermined threshold rate of change, then said method further comprises the step of: incrementally increasing the value of N, for successive rate of change calculations, until N reaches a preset nominal value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |