Method and apparatus for monitoring physical integrity of a wall in a vessel
AssigneeQuantum Catalytics, L.L.C.
InventorsPatrick J. Doyle, David L. Van Olinda
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
An apparatus for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel comprising:
- a) a vessel having inner and outer walls defining a containment for an electrically-grounded, electrically-conductive liquid;
- b) a detector located within the containment of the vessel;
- c) means for generating an alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the containment which imposes a corresponding voltage on the detector;
- and
- d) current sensing means for detecting an induced current flowing through the detector when contacted by the electrically-conductive material, whereby the physical integrity of the containment can be monitored.
An apparatus for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel comprising:
- a) a vessel having inner and outer walls defining a containment for an electrically-grounded, electrically-conductive liquid;
- b) a detector located within the containment of the vessel;
- c) means for generating an alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the containment which imposes a corresponding voltage on the detector;
- d) current sensing means for detecting an induced current flowing through the detector when contacted by the electrically-conductive material;
- and
- e) means coupled to the current sensing means for discriminating between current flow resulting from contact with the electrically-conductive liquid and current flow as the result of contact with other electrically-conductive materials, whereby the physical integrity of the containment can be monitored.
An apparatus for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel comprising:
- a) a vessel having inner and outer walls defining a containment for an electrically-grounded, electrically-conductive liquid;
- b) a plurality of detector zones located within the containment of the vessel;
- c) means for generating an alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the containment which imposes a corresponding voltage on said detector zone;
- and
- d) current sensing means for detecting an induced current flowing through at least one of the detector zones when contacted by the electrically-conductive material, whereby the physical integrity of the containment can be monitored.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.