Apparatus for and method of determining the liquid coolant level in a nuclear reactor
US4592230A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid coolant measuring instrument for a nuclear reactor vessel measures the liquid coolant level by utilizing the thermal characteristics of the medium surrounding the instrument. The instrument has an elongated cylindrical body having a number of difference thermocouples disposed within at various levels. A sectional electrical resistance heating element is located within the elongated body. The heating element heats one junction of each difference thermocouple and by monitoring the increase in temperature signal at different levels within the vessel, the liquid level can be determined. The instrument is also provided with a shield tube that surrounds the instrument forming an annular space therebetween. Liquid coolant enters the tube through a bore having a baffle that strips entering liquid of entrained non-liquid bubbles such as steam and gasses, thereby providing measurement for the actual liquid coolant level and not the expanded coolant level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.