Systems and methods for sensor instrumentation in nuclear reactors

Abstract

Arrays are configured to detect temperatures, radiation levels, strain, seismic vibrations, water levels, and other physical characteristics and report the same by transmission of electromagnetic radiation along a carrier fiber. No associated thermal mass may be required; the fiber itself may scatter or emit light in amounts, frequencies, intervals, etc. that directly indicate the characteristics. The arrays are useable in remote and inhospitable conditions and may report data over kilometers. Luminescence or scattering like Raman, Rayleigh, or Brilliouin scattering may cause the emission or scattering, and a computerized interpreter may detect the light and associate it with the characteristics for output to a user. Silica, silicon dioxide, quartz, acrylate, silicone, fluoropolymers, sapphire, rare earth elements, halogens, boron, germanium oxides, carbon-doped aluminum oxide are all useable for this effect, potentially at several hundred degrees Celsius without failure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.