In-core instrument thimble assembly
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsMichael D. Heibel, Daniel P. Kistler, Jorge V. Carvajal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-powered integral in-core instrument thimble assembly for monitoring the temperature and radiation levels surrounding a nuclear fuel assembly, that transmits output signals wirelessly to a remote location. The in-core instrument thimble assembly is activated by a short exposure within a reactor core and remains active after the fuel assembly is removed from the reactor core to continuously provide a remote monitoring capability for the fuel assembly as it is transported or stored at a remote location, without an external power source.
Claims12
A power supply for a nuclear reactor in-core electronics assembly, the power supply comprising:
- a self powered power supply element comprising a material that prior to being irradiated does not produce a substantially measurable current capable of powering the in-core electronics assembly and upon being irradiated by an external source of radiation for a selected period of time produces the substantially measurable current even after being removed from exposure to the external source of radiation;
- a power supply housing hermetically sealing the power supply element from a coolant fluid within a core of a nuclear reactor;
- and
- an electrically conductive connector structured to connect to the in-core electronics assembly to transport the substantially measurable current to the in-core electronics assembly wherein the substantially measurable current is sufficient to power the in-core electronics assembly and communicate an output of the in-core electronics assembly to a location outside of the nuclear reactor without an auxiliary power input from outside of the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.