Abstract: A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.

Abstract: A system that measures the temperature distribution of the reactor coolant flowing through the hot leg or cold leg pipes by measuring the speed of sound time delay. This concept uses radiation hardened and temperature tolerant ultrasonic signal drivers based on vacuum micro-electronic technology. The system employs ultrasonic signals propagated through water, and relies on the characteristic that the speed of sound changes as the density and temperature of the water changes. Thus, a measured difference in the speed of sound in water may be directly correlated to a temperature change of the water.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for amplifying low level signals within a nuclear plant's containment building, derived from the ex-core nuclear instrumentation system. The system employs vacuum micro-electronic devices in place of conventional pre-amplifier assemblies to position the pre-amplifier assemblies closer to and within the vicinity of the ex-core detector outputs.

Abstract: A pulsed sonar-based wireless rod position indication system that utilizes nuclear radiation and high temperature tolerant hardware. The pulsed sonar-based rod position indication system can precisely locate the rod position by measuring the time of flight of a transmitted signal and by using the phase and amplitude information of the same transmitted signal. Primary and secondary antenna probes located in the interior of the control rod drive rod travel housing and full hardware redundancy provide for improved accuracy. The time of flight, phase and amplitude raw signals are inputted to a wireless data transmitter capable of sending the raw signals to a receiver antenna located elsewhere inside a containment for further processing.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.

Abstract: A system that measures the temperature distribution of the reactor coolant flowing through the hot leg or cold leg pipes by measuring the speed of sound time delay. This concept uses radiation hardened and temperature tolerant ultrasonic signal drivers based on vacuum micro-electronic technology. The system employs ultrasonic signals propagated through water, and relies on the characteristic that the speed of sound changes as the density and temperature of the water changes. Thus, a measured difference in the speed of sound in water may be directly correlated to a temperature change of the water.

Abstract: A pulsed sonar-based wireless rod position indication system that utilizes nuclear radiation and high temperature tolerant hardware. The pulsed sonar-based rod position indication system can precisely locate the rod position by measuring the time of flight of a transmitted signal and by using the phase and amplitude information of the same transmitted signal. Primary and secondary antenna probes located in the interior of the control rod drive rod travel housing and full hardware redundancy provide for improved accuracy. The time of flight, phase and amplitude raw signals are inputted to a wireless data transmitter capable of sending the raw signals to a receiver antenna located elsewhere inside a containment for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for amplifying low level signals within a nuclear plant's containment building, derived from the ex-core nuclear instrumentation system. The system employs vacuum micro-electronic devices in place of conventional pre-amplifier assemblies to position the pre-amplifier assemblies closer to and within the vicinity of the ex-core detector outputs.

Abstract: An in-core neutron monitor that employs vacuum microelectronic devices to configure an in-core instrument thimble assembly that monitors and wirelessly transmits a number of reactor parameters directly from the core of a nuclear reactor without the use of external cabling. The in-core instrument thimble assembly is substantially wholly contained within an instrument guide tube within a nuclear fuel assembly.

Abstract: An in-core neutron monitor that employs vacuum microelectronic devices to configure an in-core instrument thimble assembly that monitors and wirelessly transmits a number of reactor parameters directly from the core of a nuclear reactor without the use of external cabling. The in-core instrument thimble assembly is substantially wholly contained within an instrument guide tube within a nuclear fuel assembly.

Abstract: A non-contact surface flaw detection system for workpieces such as nuclear fuel pellets transports the pellets continuously along an illuminated path while rotating them. A line scan camera records a series of line scans for the pellets and the resulting values of pellet reflectivity are digitized. Pixel values are compared to thresholds defined adaptively by averaging and/or using a video finite impulse response filter, to generate a binary map of "good" and "bad" pixels, that also defines the edges of the pellet in the map. A processor counts and associates bad pixels to logically define and assess blobs of bad pixels. The processor checks for coincidence of the edge pixels with a nominal edge line that best fits the edge, for finding edge flaws. The pellets assessed in this manner are selected or rejected. Camera sensor elements are normalized for gain and offset. Shifting of the pixel data cancels skew produced in scanning moving pellets.