NUCLEAR LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM USING WIRE OR OPTICAL FIBER

• US 20100289651A1
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3-D Image Technology
• Original Assignee: Tamperproof Container Licensing Corp.
• Inventors: Beinhocker, Gilbert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,924,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/600
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/22 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/002 Detection of leaks by testing the coolant or the moderator G21C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/06 Details of, or accessories to, the containers

Abstract

A detection and containment system for detecting and containing a breach in a container includes a first containment layer and a first sensor layer coupled to the first containment layer. The first sensor layer includes at least one signal path extending across substantially an entire area of the first sensor layer. The first sensor layer may be provided by either a fiber optic carrying a light signal or a wire carrying an electrical signal. A second containment layer is coupled to the first sensor layer such that the first sensor layer is between the first and second containment layers. An inability of the at least one signal path to conduct a signal from a first end to a second end represents either a breach, or an attempted breach, from outside the container or a failure of the container. The containment layers may seal against any leakage of material in a container such as a barrel, pipeline or the like, subsequent to a breach either from within, as in the case of a rupture, or from without, as in the case of vandalism or an unauthorized access attempt. The containment layers may comprise a gel or rubber material. An additional layer or layers may be provided to further protect against intrusion and may be made from material such as Kevlar. The signal layer detects a breach of a container while the other layers delay access to the contents. The increased time due to the delaying characteristics of the other layers increases the chances that the party attempting the unauthorized entry can be intercepted by the proper authorities. The detection and containment system may be implemented to protect tunnels, pipelines, hatches and manhole covers.

Claims

1. A detection and containment system for detecting and containing a breach in a container, comprising:

a first containment layer;

a first sensor layer coupled to the first containment layer and having at least one signal path extending across substantially an entire area of the first sensor layer; and

a second containment layer coupled to the first sensor layer such that the first sensor layer is between the first and second containment layers;

wherein a failure of the at least one signal path to conduct a signal greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold level from a first end to a second end signifies a breach or an attempted breach of the container.

2. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal path comprises one of an optical fiber and an electrical wire.

3. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises a self-sealing material.

4. The detection and containment system of claim 3, wherein the self-sealing material is chosen from a resin and a self-sealing polymer.

5. The detection and containment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a detector coupled to the at least one signal path and configured to assert an alarm if a signal is detected from the at least one signal path and the detected signal is less than the predetermined threshold level.

6. The detection and containment system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a first protective layer positioned between the first containment layer and the first sensor layer; and

a second protective layer positioned between the second containment layer and the first sensor layer.

7. The detection and containment system of claim 6, wherein:

at least one of the first and second protective layers comprises anti-ballistic material.

8. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein the first containment layer comprises a dye.

9. The detection and containment system of claim 8, wherein the dye comprises material that reacts with material stored in the container to coat the stored material with a predetermined color.

10. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises one or more shards of material each configured to sever the at least one signal path in the first sensor layer when the one or more shards are mechanically disturbed.

11. The detection and containment system of claim 10, wherein the one or more shards comprises at least one of metal and plastic.

12. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor layer is within one of the first and second containment layers.

13. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to radiation.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to chemically active compounds.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to a pathogen.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal path comprises an optical fiber and wherein the optical fiber exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to corrosive agents.

17. The security system of claim 16, wherein the corrosive agents are gaseous or liquid.

18. The detection and containment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a manganese security door fixedly coupled to the first containment layer.

19. The security system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a manhole cover.

20. The detection and containment system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an access port and wherein a failure of the at least one signal path to conduct a signal greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold level from a first end to a second end signifies a breach or an attempted breach of the container through the access port.

21. The detection and containment system of claim 20, wherein the access port is one of a hatch and a hatch cover.

22. A security system comprising:

a first containment layer comprising a first material;

a first sensor layer having at least one signal path disposed therein and extending across substantially an entire area of the first sensor layer, the at least one signal path having a first end and a second end and the at least one signal path comprising at least one of an optical fiber and a wire;

a second containment layer comprising a second material and arranged such that the first sensor layer is between the first and second containment layers; and

at least one detector coupled to the at least one signal path and configured to detect a signal in the signal path from the first end to the second end and, when a signal is detected that is less than a predetermined threshold level, configured to provide a first output signal.

23. The security system of claim 22, wherein each of the first and second containment layers and the first sensor layer is flexible.

24. The security system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises an adhesive on an exposed surface.

25. The security system of claim 22, further comprising:

a second sensor layer having at least one signal path disposed therein and extending across substantially an entire area of the second sensor layer, the at least one signal path of the second sensor layer having a first end and a second end and the at least one signal path of the second sensor layer comprising at least one of an optical fiber and a wire;

wherein a first end of the at least one signal path of the second sensor layer is coupled to the second end of the at least one signal path of the first sensor layer.

26. The security system of claim 22, further comprising:

a first protective layer positioned between the first containment layer and the first sensor layer; and

a second protective layer positioned between the first sensor layer and the second containment layer.

27. The security system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second protective layers comprises an anti-ballistic material.

28. The security system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises dye.

29. The security system of claim 28, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to air.

30. The security system of claim 28, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to a first substance in a container coupled to the security system.

31. The security system of claim 22, further comprising:

a signal source coupled to the first end of the at least one signal path.

32. The security system of claim 31, wherein the signal source comprises one of:

an optical signal source configured to provide an optical signal to the first end of the at least one signal path; and

an electrical signal source configured to provide an electrical signal to the first end of the at least one signal path.

33. The security system of claim 32, wherein the at least one detector comprises one of:

an optical signal detector configured to detect an optical signal; and

an electrical signal detector configured to detect an electrical signal.

34. The security system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises a shard of material configured to sever the at least one signal path in the first sensor layer when the shard of material is mechanically disturbed.

35. The security system of claim 34, wherein the shard of material comprises at least one of metal and plastic.

36. The security system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises a resin.

37. The security system of claim 22, wherein:

the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to radiation.

38. The security system of claim 22, wherein:

the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to chemically active compounds.

39. The security system of claim 22, wherein:

the at least one signal path comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to a pathogen.

40. The security system of claim 22, wherein the at least one signal path comprises an optical fiber and wherein the optical fiber exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to corrosive agents.

41. The security system of claim 40, wherein the corrosive agents are gaseous or liquid.

42. The security system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second materials is self-sealing.