NUCLEAR LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM USING WIRE OR OPTICAL FIBER

• US 20110210856A1
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3-D Image Technology
• Original Assignee: 3D Fuse Sarl
• Inventors: Beinhocker, Gilbert D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,207,861 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 system for detecting and containing a breach in a container includes a first containment layer and a first sensor layer. The first sensor layer includes at least one signal path extending the first sensor layer. The first sensor layer may be provided by either a fiber optic or a wire. 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 subsequent to a breach either from within or from without. An additional layer may be provided to protect against intrusion and may be made from material such as Kevlar. The detection and containment system may be implemented to protect tunnels, pipelines, hatches and manhole covers.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a status of a container, comprising:

a first containment layer coupled to a surface of the container and comprising a first sensor having a first signal path extending across substantially an entire area of the first containment layer; and

a second containment layer coupled to the first containment layer and comprising a second sensor having a second signal path extending across substantially an entire area of the second containment layer,

wherein a failure of either the first or second signal path to conduct a respective signal greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold level from a respective first end to a respective second end signifies a breach in the respective containment layer,

the system further comprising;

a controller coupled to the first and second signal paths and configured to characterize the status of the container as a function of one or more of;

which of the first and second signal paths has failed;

if both signal paths have failed, which signal path failed first; and

if both signal paths have failed, a time period between the failures.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second signal paths comprises one of an optical fiber and an electrical wire.

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

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

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:

a detector coupled to the first and second signal paths and configured to detect a respective signal from each path and to assert an alarm if either detected signal is less than the predetermined threshold level.

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

a first protective layer positioned between the first and second containment layers; and

a second protective layer positioned over the second containment layer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein:

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

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

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to a first substance in a container.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to air.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises shards of material each configured to sever the respective signal path when the one or more shards are disturbed.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein each shard comprises at least one of metal and plastic.

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

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the first and second signal paths comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to chemically active compounds.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the first and second signal paths comprises optical fiber that exhibits reduced optical transmissibility when exposed to a pathogen.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second signal paths comprises an optical fiber that 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 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 system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an access port and wherein a failure of at least one of the first and second signal paths 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 system of claim 20, wherein the access port is one of a hatch and a hatch cover.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises a resin.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second containment layers is flexible.

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

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises:

a signal source coupled to a respective first end of each of the first and second signal paths.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the signal source comprises one of:

an optical signal source configured to provide an optical signal; and

an electrical signal source configured to provide an electrical signal.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the comprises at least one of:

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

an electrical signal detector configured to detect an electrical signal.

28. A system for detecting a status of a container, comprising:

a first containment layer coupled to a surface of the container and comprising first and second signal paths extending across substantially an entire area of the first containment layer,

wherein each of the first and second signal paths is disposed in a first and second plane, respectively, the first plane being positioned between the surface of the container and the second plane, and

wherein a failure of either the first or second signal path to conduct a respective signal greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold level from a respective first end to a respective second end signifies a breach in the first containment layer,

the system further comprising;

a controller coupled to the first and second signal paths and configured to characterize the status of the container as a function of one or more of;

which of the first and second signal paths has failed;

if both signal paths have failed, which signal path failed first; and

if both signal paths have failed, a time period between the failures.