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:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 27, 2000
Clifford B. Martin, Somers, CT (US);
Westinghouse Electric Company LCL, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A system and method of detecting and monitoring flow conditions in the coolant of a nuclear reactor that relies upon acoustic or optical differences in the various flow conditions. The system uses a database of acoustic or optical characteristics of the various known flow conditions being monitored, and a processor that compares the detected acoustic signals with the known acoustic characteristics. The processor uses various methods of discrimination, such as altering or decaying the transmitted signal, to aid in the interpretation and comparison of the signals. The acoustic detection is provided by a pair of sensor assemblies positioned a distance from each other to detect variations in the acoustic patterns associated with the coolant flow. A transmitter and receiver of each sensor assembly can be positioned on opposite sides of the pipe in which the coolant is flowing, or on the same side of the pipe, depending upon which configuration provides the best discrimination between the flow conditions being monitored. The monitoring system is effective for determining, among other things, the existence of bubbles entrained in the coolant, the existence and level of a free surface, the existence of vortex or whirlpool formations, and the existence of entrained solid particulates.