Abstract: An automatic leak detection apparatus for process fluids from production and/or research plants, in particular energy plants comprises three different and separate sets of sensors, the first of which analyzes signals sensed in the visual spectrum through a telecamera, the second set analyzes signals sensed in the infrared spectrum through a thermocamera, and the third set analyzes qualitatively and quantitatively any change in the composition of the environmental atmosphere through a chemical-excitation mass spectrometer, and means adapted to process data supplied by said three sets of sensors, to compare said data with reference data, to store said data, to generate alarm signals at different levels, and to give assistance, if necessary.

Abstract: A feeder circuit for the rapid shutdown for safety devices in nuclear reactors comprising a controllable rectifier providing a d.c. output from an a.c. input of network frequency; a number of inverters to invert said d.c. output to an alternating current at a frequency higher than that of the network and to elevate the voltage thereof; and an adder to add the currents exiting from such inverters and rectify the current sum. The exit voltages of the inverters are dephased with respect to each other by 180/n, n being the number of the inverters in the feeder.

Abstract: A coupling is provided for holding and releasing a safety and a safety-and-control rod in a nuclear reactor which coupling comprises three pairs of electromagnets, said electromagnets being arranged in a circular row and act upon a single armature attached to the rod; the electromagnets of each pair being disposed at diametrically opposed position with respect the the rod axis. The signal from each sensor of a set of multiple sensors of each relevant parameter of the reactor operation is supplied to a meter of the parameter. The signals from one of each set of meters are conjointly supplied to a logic circuit which is connected to an amplifier. Finally the power from each amplifier is separately supplied to each pair of electromagnets for controlling the hold and release of the rod. The electromagnets of the coupling are arranged in a circular row and act upon a single armature attached to the rod.