The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 15, 2022
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2020
Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas Llc, Wilmington, NC (US);
Jerry W. Nicholson, Wilmington, NC (US);
Cesar M. Velasquez, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kenneth A. Morgan, Wilmington, NC (US);
GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC, Wilmington, NC (US);
Abstract
Control rod drives include all-digital monitoring, powering, and controlling systems for operating the drives. Each controlling system includes distinct microprocessor-driven channels that independently monitor and handle control rod drive position information reported from multiple position sensors per drive. Controlling systems function as rod control and information systems with top-level hardware interfaced with nuclear plant operators other plant systems. The top-level hardware can receive operator instructions and report control rod position, as well as report errors detected using redundant data from the multiple sensors. Positional data received from each drive is multiplexed across plural, redundant channels to allow verification of the system using independent position data as well as operation of the system should a single channel or detector fail. Control rod drives are capable of positioning and detecting position of control elements in fine increments, such as 3-millimeter increments, with plural position sensors that digitally report drive status and position.