Nuclear leakage detection system using wire or optical fiber

• US 7,924,166 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ott; Frederick
• Application Number:
  US12/779,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20100289651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 376/203, 376/205, 376/245, 376248-251, 376/259, 376/272, 376/293, 376/414, 376/450, 215/230, 588/16, 324/518, 324/750.23, 398/13, 398/17, 398/20, 398/21, 398/28, 340/541, 340/555, 340/652, 340/687, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 340/652
• 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. The container wall includes containment layers and a sensor layer sandwiched between the containment layers. The sensor layer contains a signal path that can be carried by a signal cable such as fiber optic or wire cable. The containment layers contain shards of material. When the wall of the container is compromised, the signal in the sensor layer is altered by the disturbed shards cutting the signal cable, thus allowing for the detection of a rupture, vandalism or an unauthorized access attempt, The containment layers may be composed of a gel or rubber material to slow leakage.

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,

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.

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 the one or more shards comprises at least one of metal and plastic.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

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 a pathogen.

15. 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.

16. The security system of claim 15, wherein the corrosive agents are gaseous or liquid.

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

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

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

19. 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.

20. The detection and containment system of claim 19, wherein the access port is one of a hatch and a hatch cover.

21. 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,

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.

22. The security system of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second containment layers and the first sensor layer is flexible.

23. The security system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises an adhesive on an exposed surface.

24. The security system of claim 21, 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.

25. The security system of claim 21, 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.

26. The security system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first and second protective layers comprises an anti-ballistic material.

27. The security system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises dye.

28. The security system of claim 27, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to air.

29. The security system of claim 27, wherein the dye comprises at least one chemical compound that reacts to a first substance in a container coupled to the security system.

30. The security system of claim 21, further comprising:

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

31. The security system of claim 30, 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.

32. The security system of claim 31, 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.

33. The security system of claim 21, wherein the shard of material comprises at least one of metal and plastic.

34. The security system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second containment layers comprises a resin.

35. The security system of claim 21, wherein:

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

36. The security system of claim 21, wherein:

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

37. The security system of claim 21, wherein:

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

38. The security system of claim 21, 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.

39. The security system of claim 38, wherein the corrosive agents are gaseous or liquid.

40. The security system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second materials is self-sealing.