Kathryn Ames Metzger

US Patent:

20200402680, Dec 24, 2020

Filed:

Jun 21, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/448706

Inventors:

- Cranberry Township PA, US
Justin P. Schimidt - Lockport IL, US
Jeffrey L. Amdt - Pittsburgh PA, US
Paul M. Sirianni - Mars PA, US
Shawn C. Stafford - Scottdale PA, US
Kathryn E. Metzger - Columbia SC, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 17/112
G21C 13/087
G21C 13/093
G08C 19/16

Abstract:

A dry cask storage system for spent nuclear fuel includes a detection apparatus having a resonant electrical circuit, with resonant electrical circuit being situated within an interior region of a metallic vessel wherein the SNF is situated. The detection apparatus includes a transmitter that generates an excitation pulse that causes the resonant circuit to resonate and to generate a response pulse. The resonant circuit includes an inductor that is formed with a core whose magnetic permeability varies with temperature such that the frequency of the resonant circuit varies as a function of temperature. The response pulse is then used to determine the temperature within the interior of the vessel where the SNF is situated. Pressure detection is also provided.