Self-Powered Excore Detector for Nuclear Reactor Flux Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excore detectors for nuclear reactors require high DC voltage, specialized insulation, and cabling, which can lead to issues like arcing and signal spiking, and are not optimized for the lower flux levels outside the reactor core, resulting in inadequate signal output.
Innovation Solution
The design of self-powered excore detector assemblies that use a housing with self-powered detectors, a moderator, and a strong neutron absorber material like gadolinium or boron, arranged in arrays or spirals, eliminating the need for high voltage and specialized insulation, and enhancing signal output through increased neutron capture and energetic electron production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional excore detectors use high DC voltage across separated cylindrical electrodes with gas volume, then flux detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to required insulation, cabling, connectors, and maintenance of gas volume pressure and composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the high voltage source, gas volume, insulation, cabling, and connectors from the excore detector system. By using self-powered detector elements that generate their own operating voltage through the beta decay of activated detector material, the system removes all the complex external high voltage infrastructure while maintaining flux detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector material itself serves dual purposes: it detects flux and simultaneously generates the voltage needed for operation through radioactive decay. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources, insulation systems, and associated maintenance, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional excore detectors use high DC voltage and specialized insulation, then flux detection is enabled, but reliability deteriorates due to arcing and signal spiking issues
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the high voltage source and external insulation systems entirely, the patent eliminates the sources of arcing and signal spiking that plague traditional excore detectors. The self-powered detector elements operate at low voltages generated internally through radioactive decay, eliminating reliability issues associated with high voltage breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-powered mechanism generates operating voltage internally through beta decay of activated detector material, eliminating dependence on external high voltage sources that cause arcing and signal instability. This intrinsic power generation ensures reliable operation without the reliability deterioration associated with traditional high voltage systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If excore detectors are designed for lower flux levels outside the reactor core, then adaptability improves, but signal output deteriorates due to inadequate signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the detector by using self-powered elements where the detector material is activated to produce beta particles. This parameter change enables operation at lower flux levels while maintaining adequate signal output, as the radioactive decay provides a consistent internal signal source independent of external flux intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-powered detector elements generate their own signal through beta decay of activated material, providing adequate signal output even in low flux environments outside the reactor core. This eliminates the signal weakness problem of traditional detectors while improving adaptability to various flux levels.
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 a robust and reliable method for measuring flux outside the reactor core with improved signal strength and reduced maintenance needs, suitable for a wider range of operating conditions, and allows for immediate control and safety functions.
Implementation Method 1
The detector material within the sheath is aligned within a specific location of the core when inserted. The alignment of the detectors is maintained with a cylindrical oversheath of similar materials and crushed around the individual detectors
Implementation Method 2
measuring the neutron or gamma flux with detectors mounted outside the reactor core
Implementation Method 3
a moderator, and a strong neutron absorber material like gadolinium or boron, arranged in arrays or spirals
Implementation Method 4
a strong neutron absorber material like gadolinium or boron, arranged in arrays or spirals, eliminating the need for high voltage and specialized insulation, and enhancing signal output through increased neutron capture and energetic electron production
Data Source
AI summary
An excore detector assembly for measuring flux outside of a nuclear reactor core. The excore detector assembly includes a housing and at least one self-powered detector inside the housing for measuring flux generated by the nuclear reactor core. The at least one self-powered detector includes a sheath, a detector material section inside the sheath, an insulator between the sheath and the detector material, and a flux signal output line.