William T Mcdowell

US Patent:

42773083, Jul 7, 1981

Filed:

Jun 23, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/918259

Inventors:

Gordon K. Rusch - Downers Grove IL
Donald J. Keefe - Lemont IL
William P. McDowell - Downers Grove IL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G21C 1700
G01T 300

US Classification:

176 19EC

Abstract:

There is provided a nuclear reactor count-factor-increase time monitoring circuit which includes a pulse-type neutron detector, and means for counting the number of detected pulses during specific time periods. Counts are compared and the comparison is utilized to develop a reactor scram signal, if necessary.

US Patent:

39420140, Mar 2, 1976

Filed:

Mar 20, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/560429

Inventors:

William P. McDowell - Downers Grove IL
James P. Bobis - Downers Grove IL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy
Research and Development Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01T 300
G01T 118

US Classification:

250392

Abstract:

Logic elements are provided for a reactor period meter trip circuit. For one element, first and second inputs are applied to first and second chopper comparators, respectively. The output of each comparator is O if the input applied to it is greater than or equal to a trip level associated with each input and each output is a square wave of frequency f if the input applied to it is less than the associated trip level. The outputs of the comparators are algebraically summed and applied to a bandpass filter tuned to f. For another element, the output of each comparator is applied to a bandpass filter which is tuned to f to give a sine wave of frequency f. The outputs of the filters are multiplied by an analog multiplier whose output is 0 if either input is 0 and a sine wave of frequency 2f if both inputs are a frequency f.