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US 12,700,516 B2Granted
Radiation monitoring systems, radioactive material storage systems and associated components and methods
AssigneeBattelle Energy Alliance, LLC
InventorsLuis A. Ocampo Giraldo, David L. Chichester, James T. Johnson, Jay D. Hix, Scott J. Thompson, Scott M. Watson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radiation monitoring system includes an optical fiber. The system further includes a scintillating fiber operatively coupled to a first end of the optical fiber at a first end of the scintillating fiber. The system also includes a damage detection device configured to detect damage to at least one of the optical fiber and the scintillating fiber.
Claims20
A radiation monitoring system comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- a scintillating fiber operatively coupled to a first end of the optical fiber at a first end of the scintillating fiber;
- and
- a damage detection device configured to detect damage to at least one of the optical fiber and the scintillating fiber, the damage detection device comprising:
- a signal generation device configured to generate a signal in the optical fiber and/or the scintillating fiber;
- and
- a receiver configured to receive a reflection of the signal.
4 more elements
A radioactive material storage system comprising:
- a storage tunnel;
- a storage area proximal to the storage tunnel;
- a canister configured to contain radioactive material disposed in the storage area;
- and
- a radiation sensor at least partially disposed in the storage area, the radiation sensor comprising:
- a first segment comprising a scintillating fiber, the first segment positioned along a side surface of the canister;
- a second segment comprising an optical fiber coupled between the scintillating fiber and a monitoring module;
- and
- the monitoring module positioned in an accessible region a distance from the storage tunnel.
6 more elements
A method of monitoring a radiation detector, the method comprising:
- transmitting a light signal into a first end of an optical fiber;
- receiving the light signal in a first end of a scintillating optical fiber positioned at a second end of the optical fiber opposite the first end of the optical fiber;
- reflecting the light signal from a reflective element positioned on a second end of the scintillating optical fiber opposite the first end of the scintillating optical fiber;
- receiving the light signal at the first end of the optical fiber;
- and
- determining if the radiation detector is damaged if the light signal is not received at the first end of the optical fiber.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.