Out-of-core Nuclear Instrumentation Circuit Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The out-of-core nuclear instrumentation device faces precision issues due to instrumental errors in temperature characteristics of resistors, leading to variations in output voltage when switching measurement ranges, affecting the accuracy of neutron flux measurement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detector signal-processing circuit with a current/voltage conversion part, variable gain amplification, temperature measurement unit, temperature compensation, and selective adjustment control to adjust and control gain, ensuring constant precision across measurement range switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If measurement range is switched by selecting different resistors in the current level response-use resistance circuit, then the measurement capability across different neutron flux levels is improved, but variations in output voltage precision occur due to instrumental errors in temperature characteristics of the resistors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resistance parameter by selecting different resistors for different measurement ranges, allowing the system to adapt to varying neutron flux levels. This enables the detector signal-processing circuit to maintain optimal sensitivity across a wide range of measurements from low to high neutron flux conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the output voltage from the detector signal-processing circuit is fed back to the measurement range selection part. This feedback enables automatic switching between different resistor configurations based on the actual signal level, ensuring optimal measurement precision is maintained without manual intervention.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple resistors with different gain values are used for different measurement ranges, then the ability to measure both small and large neutron flux values is improved, but temperature-dependent instrumental errors cause precision variations when switching between ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the resistance parameter by switching between multiple resistors with different gain values, enabling measurement across a wide span of neutron flux quantities. Each resistor is optimized for specific measurement ranges, allowing the system to handle both small and large flux values effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement range selection is made dynamic through automatic switching based on the detected signal level. The system continuously monitors the output and dynamically selects the appropriate resistor configuration, transitioning smoothly between measurement ranges to maintain reliability across varying conditions.
3Device complexity
If a fixed resistor configuration is used in the detector signal-processing circuit, then the circuit structure is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates when measuring neutron flux across a wide range from stop state to output operation
Solution Approach 1:
The detector signal-processing circuit is segmented into multiple configurations by incorporating several resistors with different gain values. Each resistor serves a specific measurement range, dividing the overall measurement task into specialized segments that maintain high precision across the entire neutron flux spectrum from stop state to full output operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit transitions from a static fixed resistor configuration to a dynamic multi-resistor system. The measurement range selection part automatically switches between different resistor configurations based on the input signal level, enabling the circuit to adapt its characteristics to maintain optimal precision across varying neutron flux conditions.
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 configuration allows for precise measurement and maintenance of high precision in neutron flux measurement, suppressing variations in output voltage due to temperature-dependent resistor errors, even before and after switching measurement ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a neutron detector which outputs a current value according to a size of the neutron flux by mainly measuring the neutron flux
Implementation Method 2
a current/voltage conversion part which converts the current value converted by the neutron detector into a voltage value according to the current value
Implementation Method 3
a variable gain amplification part which has an operational amplifier including a current level response-use resistance circuit capable of selecting a gain and amplifies the voltage value
Data Source
AI summary
A detector signal-processing circuit comprises the following: a current/voltage conversion part that converts the current value of a neutron detector to a voltage value; a variable gain amplification part that performs amplification by a first-step variable gain using a D/A converter; a current level response-use resistance circuit that selects the measurement range in accordance with the voltage value; temperature measurement units for measuring the temperature of the resistance circuit for current level response; a temperature compensation part for commanding gain compensation by the D/A converter on the basis of the measured temperature; and a selective adjustment control part for selective control of the measurement range and adjustment of the variable gain of the variable gain amplification part. Due to this configuration, neutron flux can be measured with high precision while maintaining a constant output precision, before and after switching of the measurement range.