External Ultrasonic Transducers for Pipe Void Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power plant operators face challenges in detecting and quantifying gas voids in fluid systems, which can compromise system operability and safety, as existing methods lack continuous monitoring capabilities and are not effective in determining the onset and extent of void formation.
Innovation Solution
The use of externally disposed ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive signals along defined paths in pipes, allowing for continuous detection and measurement of gas voids by determining transit times and sound velocities, enabling the calculation of void fractions without modifying or penetrating the pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic functional tests are used to detect gas voids, then system safety can be assessed, but continuous monitoring capability is lost and the duration of compromised operability remains unanswered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of gas voids using ultrasonic transducers that continuously transmit signals through the fluid in the pipe. This continuous action eliminates the gaps between periodic tests, providing uninterrupted detection of void formation and evolution, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety assessment and continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures the transit time of ultrasonic signals and processes this feedback information to detect and quantify gas voids in real-time. The continuous feedback loop enables immediate detection of void formation and continuous quantification of void fraction, maintaining both safety and continuous monitoring capability simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If ultrasonic transducers are disposed externally on the pipe, then the pipe structure is preserved and no modification is needed, but the measurement path must be defined through the pipe wall and fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pipe wall and fluid as intermediary media to transmit ultrasonic signals from external transducers to the target detection zone. By utilizing these existing components as signal transmission pathways, the system achieves external transducer placement without requiring pipe modification, while the defined transmission paths through the wall and fluid provide reliable measurement capability.
3Productivity
If the transit time of ultrasonic signals is measured to detect voids, then continuous quantification is achieved, but the measurement precision must be sufficient to detect small changes in void fraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the fluid itself as the transmission medium for ultrasonic signals, leveraging the natural acoustic properties of the fluid to provide precise measurements. The fluid's acoustic characteristics enable sensitive detection of void fraction changes without requiring additional sensing elements or complex measurement systems, achieving both continuous quantification and high measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides continuous monitoring and quantification of gas voids, ensuring the operability of fluid systems by detecting void formation and measuring their characteristics, thereby enhancing reactor safety and compliance with design basis requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement is performed using ultrasonic transducers that are disposed externally on the pipe. The capability to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals along geometrically defined paths reveals the presence or absence of voids in the pipe
Implementation Method 2
the measurement of transit times of these ultrasonic signals defines the characteristics of the void
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes a first ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a second ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a multiplexer, transmitter, receiver, controller and processor in communication with the first transducer and the second transducer which in combination identify a void in the pipe from ultrasonic measurements of properties of the fluid in the pipe. A method for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes the steps of measuring properties of the fluid internal to the pipe with transmissions of ultrasonic energy from transducers externally disposed on the pipe. There is the step of identifying a void in the pipe from the properties of the fluid internal to the pipe using signals processed by processor.