Method and apparatus for monitoring physical integrity of a wall in a vessel
US6194890A · kind A · utility
12Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2863
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method is described for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel, such as a molten metal reactor. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing an electrically-conductive liquid having at least one electrically-grounded detection unit located within the containment wall of the vessel. Monitoring changes in electrical current flow of the detection unit relates to the physical integrity of the vessel containment wall and prevents unanticipated breaching of the vessel by the electrically-conductive liquid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.