Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing performance of a level sensor of a fluid test chamber, including a data acquisition and processing unit configured to receive output signals of one or more level sensors that are installed to a fluid chamber, the data acquisition and processing unit being configured to connect to the one or more level sensors to record and process the output signals to test operation of the one or more level sensors.

Abstract: A fluid level measurement system, including an instrument line configured for installation within a fluid storage tank or vessel, the instrument line having a first end configured to be installed below a fluid level of the storage tank and a second end configured to be installed above the fluid level of the storage tank, the first end including a first pressure diaphragm plate configured to communicate with fluid within the storage tank, a pressure sensor configured to be connected to the second end of the instrument line, and a relief valve configured to open and allow high-pressure gas in the tank to escape through a ventilation port in order to depressurize the tank until tank pressure equalizes with the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An automated system for on-line monitoring and coil diagnostics of rod position indicator (RPI) coils coil diagnostic, or RPI coil diagnostic system. The RPI coil diagnostic system performs coil diagnostics for a RPI system in a nuclear power plant. The RPI coil diagnostic system is in electrical communication with and monitors the outputs of the detector coils. The RPI coil diagnostic system measures characteristics of the detector coils that are indicative of the health of the detector coils and/or the connections between the detector coils and the RPI electronics.

Abstract: Non-intrusive error detection techniques for control and shutdown rod position in nuclear reactors, including methods of monitoring digital rod position indication (DRPI) signals of a DRPI system of a nuclear power plant. The methods include acquiring digital rod position signals at a point between a DRPI display cabinet and a DRPI data cabinet of the DRPI system, and processing the digital rod position signals to identify variations in a signal level and a signal timing of the digital rod position signals to determine rod position errors of the DRPI system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring a rod control system of a nuclear power plant, including calculating impedance of at least one coil of a rod movement mechanism non-intrusively while the system is operating, comparing a measured impedance to a reference impedance, and determining if the measured impedance deviates from the reference impedance value by a predetermined amount to indicate degradation of the rod control system.

Abstract: A method of identifying changes in a host material having a thermocouple embedded therein which includes using a Loop Current Step Response (LCSR) test method on a first thermocouple to obtain thermocouple LCSR data for the first thermocouple, recording the obtained thermocouple LCSR data within a storage medium, placing a second thermocouple identical to the first thermocouple at different location within a host material, monitoring sensor response data for second the thermocouple, comparing the sensor response data for the second thermocouple with the thermocouple LCSR data of the first thermocouple stored within the storage medium and identifying changes in the host material based on differences in sensor response data for the second thermocouple based on the stored thermocouple LCSR data of the first thermocouple.

Abstract: An automated system for on-line monitoring and coil diagnostics of rod position indicator (RPI) coils coil diagnostic, or RPI coil diagnostic system. The RPI coil diagnostic system performs coil diagnostics for a RPI system in a nuclear power plant. The RPI coil diagnostic system is in electrical communication with and monitors the outputs of the detector coils. The RPI coil diagnostic system measures characteristics of the detector coils that are indicative of the health of the detector coils and/or the connections between the detector coils and the RPI electronics.

Abstract: A temperature detector and method of measuring temperature to obtain temperature readings in environments, such as fluids and gasses, by measuring electrical characteristics of the temperature detector that are influenced by the temperature. The temperature detector can be arranged such that a plurality of measurements can be obtained to provide sufficient diversity and redundancy of the measurements for enhanced diagnostics to be performed, such as optimization for fast dynamic response, calibration stability, in-situ response time testability, and in-situ calibration testability.

Abstract: An automated system for on-line monitoring and coil diagnostics of rod position indicator (RPI) coils coil diagnostic, or RPI coil diagnostic system. The RPI coil diagnostic system performs coil diagnostics for a RPI system in a nuclear power plant. The RPI coil diagnostic system is in electrical communication with and monitors the outputs of the detector coils. The RPI coil diagnostic system measures characteristics of the detector coils that are indicative of the health of the detector coils and/or the connections between the detector coils and the RPI electronics.

Abstract: A diagnostic system to monitor digital rod position indication (DRPI) signals of a DRPI system of a nuclear power plant, including a digital diagnostic unit connected between a DRPI display cabinet and a DRPI data cabinet of the DRPI system to monitor digital rod position signals of the DRPI data cabinet. The digital rod position signals include digital rod address signals and digital rod position data signals such that the digital diagnostic unit detects signal level variation and signal timing variation of the digital rod address signals and the digital rod position data signals to determine rod position errors of the DRPI system.

Abstract: A pitot tube diagnostic system including a data acquisition unit to acquire an output signal of a pitot-static system, the output signal having a static component and a dynamic component, and a processing unit to monitor the dynamic component for one or more characteristics that deviate from one or more predetermined reference characteristics to indicate impairment of the pitot-static system.

Abstract: A high resolution digital rod position indication (high resolution DRPI) system having improved resolution. The high resolution DRPI system monitors the rod control cluster and provides an indication of the rod position with precision to a single step. In addition, the high resolution DRPI system is capable of producing a rod position output compatible with existing rod control systems. The improved resolution of the high resolution DRPI system allows the actual position of the control rods to be continuously monitored and eliminates the need for or reduces the frequency of offline re-initialization of the step counters.

Abstract: A high resolution digital rod position indication (high resolution DRPI) system having improved resolution. The high resolution DRPI system monitors the rod control cluster and provides an indication of the rod position with precision to a single step. In addition, the high resolution DRPI system is capable of producing a rod position output compatible with existing rod control systems. The improved resolution of the high resolution DRPI system allows the actual position of the control rods to be continuously monitored and eliminates the need for or reduces the frequency of offline re-initialization of the step counters.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring position information of a control rod in a nuclear reactor, including detecting an output signal induced by movement of a control rod with respect to at least one detection coil of the control rod, the output signal having identifiable characteristics representative of a plurality of positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil, and processing the identifiable characteristics to derive the positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil.

Abstract: A pitot tube diagnostic system including a data acquisition unit to acquire an output signal of a pitot-static system, the output signal having a static component and a dynamic component, and a processing unit to monitor the dynamic component for one or more characteristics that deviate from one or more predetermined reference characteristics to indicate impairment of the pitot-static system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring position information of a control rod in a nuclear reactor, including detecting an output signal induced by movement of a control rod with respect to at least one detection coil of the control rod, the output signal having identifiable characteristics representative of a plurality of positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil, and processing the identifiable characteristics to derive the positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil.

Abstract: A diagnostic system to monitor digital rod position indication (DRPI) signals of a DRPI system of a nuclear power plant, including a digital diagnostic unit connected between a DRPI display cabinet and a DRPI data cabinet of the DRPI system to monitor digital rod position signals of the DRPI data cabinet. The digital rod position signals include digital rod address signals and digital rod position data signals such that the digital diagnostic unit detects signal level variation and signal timing variation of the digital rod address signals and the digital rod position data signals to determine rod position errors of the DRPI system.

Abstract: An advanced digital rod position indication (ADRPI) system having rod drop monitoring capability. When a reactor trip occurs, the ADRPI system derives the rod drop time from the signals induced in the detector coils by the falling drive rods. The ADRPI system is linked to the reactor trip breaker to provide a reference point to allow accurate timing of the rod drop times.

Abstract: A diverse and redundant resistance temperature detector (“D&R RTD”) is provided. The D&R RTD is utilized in obtaining temperature readings in environments, such as fluids and gasses, by measuring electrical characteristics of the D&R RTD that are influenced by the temperature. Furthermore, the D&R RTD's are arranged such that a plurality of measurements can be obtained, which provides sufficient diversity and redundancy of the measurements for enhanced diagnostics to be performed, such as optimization for fast dynamic response, calibration stability, in-situ response time testability, and in-situ calibration testability.

Abstract: A pitot tube diagnostic system and method for determining the health of a pitot tube is disclosed. The pitot tube diagnostic system is configured to be temporarily connectable to or permanently installable in an airplane's pitot-static system, which allows the pitot tube diagnostic system to be utilized during pre-flight inspections and/or in-flight conditions. The pitot tube diagnostic system is in electrical communication with the pitot-static system for acquisition of output signals and analysis thereof. Thus, the pitot-static diagnostic system is able to diagnose anomalies in the pitot-static systems that are representative of the overall health and efficiency of the pitot-static system.