Reactor protection system with automatic self-testing and diagnostic

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870746

Gaubatz, Donald C ^[1]

---

1. Cupertino, CA

A reactor protection system having four divisions, with quad redundant sensors for each scram parameter providing input to four independent microprocessor-based electronic chassis. Each electronic chassis acquires the scram parameter data from its own sensor, digitizes the information, and then transmits the sensor reading to the other three electronic chassis via optical fibers. To increase system availability and reduce false scrams, the reactor protection system employs two levels of voting on a need for reactor scram. The electronic chassis perform software divisional data processing, vote 2/3 with spare based upon information from all four sensors, and send the divisional scram signals to the hardware logic panel, which performs a 2/4 division vote on whether or not to initiate a reactor scram. Each chassis makes a divisional scram decision based on data from all sensors. Automatic detection and discrimination against failed sensors allows the reactor protection system to automatically enter a known state when sensor failures occur. Cross communication of sensor readings allows comparison of four theoretically "identical" values. This permits identification of sensor errors such as drift or malfunction. A diagnostic request for service is issued for errant sensor data. Automated self test and diagnostic monitoring, sensor input through output relay logic, virtually eliminate the need for manual surveillance testing. This provides an ability for each division to cross-check all divisions and to sense failures of the hardware logic.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Boston, MA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-89SF17445
• Assignee: General Electric Company (San Jose, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5586156
• OSTI ID: 870746
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

reactor
protection
automatic
self-testing
diagnostic
divisions
quad
redundant
sensors
scram
parameter
providing
input
independent
microprocessor-based
electronic
chassis
acquires
data
sensor
digitizes
information
transmits
reading
via
optical
fibers
increase
availability
reduce
false
scrams
employs
levels
voting
perform
software
divisional
processing
vote
spare
based
send
signals
hardware
logic
panel
performs
division
initiate
makes
decision
detection
discrimination
failed
allows
automatically
enter
failures
occur
communication
readings
comparison
theoretically
identical
values
permits
identification
errors
drift
malfunction
request
service
issued
errant
automated
monitoring
output
relay
virtually
eliminate
manual
surveillance
testing
provides
ability
cross-check
sense
reactor scram
reactor protection
parameter data
scram signal
data processing
optical fibers
optical fiber
electronic chassis
reduce false
sensor input
microprocessor-based electronic
scram parameter
providing input
quad redundant
redundant sensors
chassis acquires
parameter providing
virtually eliminate
independent microprocessor-based
via optic
automatic detection
/376/700/702/