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:
Jun. 26, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1999
John M. Iacovino, Murrysville, PA (US);
Thomas V. Congedo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
William A. Byers, Murrysville, PA (US);
Abdul R. Dulloo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Frank H. Ruddy, Monroeville, PA (US);
David F. McLaughlin, Oakmont, PA (US);
Arnold H. Fero, New Kensington, PA (US);
Brandon Damon Thomas, San Jose, CA (US);
John G. Siedel, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
Detectors are used to monitor the status of spent nuclear fuel storage containers non-invasively while they remain in storage casks. The detectors measure neutron flux and &ggr;-ray flux and may also measure temperature variations of the spent nuclear fuel. The measurements can be accomplished actively or passively, with minimal exposure of individuals to radiation fields or other hazardous conditions. Preferred neutron and &ggr;-ray detectors have a semiconductor active region that is resistant to neutron damage. Incipient structural failures may also be detected using measurements based on electrical continuity, with data being transmitted to an external pickup coil.