Apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a cask containing radioactive material
US5089214A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a cask containing radioactive materials is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a differential pressure sensor sealingly connected to a bore that penetrates through the wall of the cask for directly monitoring the pressure of the helium gas contained within the cask and for providing a first barrier between the helium gas and the ambient atmosphere. An evacuated sensor chamber surrounds both the outlet end of the through-wall bore and the differential pressure sensor for providing a second barrier between the helium and the ambient atmosphere as well as a vacuum reference point for the differential pressure sensor. An absolute pressure sensor is connected in parallel to the through-wall bore to allow the system operator to determine whether or not a reduction in the pressure sensed by the differential pressure sensor is the result of a leakage condition in the cask, or in the evacuated sensor chamber. The pressure monitoring apparatus allows direct pressure readings to be taken within the cask itself which are reliably confirmable, and further provides multiple mechanical barriers between the hazardous helium gas contained within such a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.