US 12,260,964 B2
Detection apparatus
Jorge V. Carvajal, Irwin, PA (US); Jeffrey L. Arndt, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Shawn C. Stafford, Scottdale, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/074,291.
Application 17/074,291 is a continuation of application No. 16/214,440, filed on Dec. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,811,153.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/691,178, filed on Jun. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/596,311, filed on Dec. 8, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0210232 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G21C 17/10 (2006.01); G01L 7/04 (2006.01); G01N 29/036 (2006.01); G21C 3/16 (2006.01); G21C 17/06 (2006.01); G21C 17/112 (2006.01); H04Q 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 17/102 (2013.01) [G21C 3/16 (2013.01); G21C 17/112 (2013.01); G01L 7/041 (2013.01); G01N 29/036 (2013.01); G21C 17/06 (2013.01); H04Q 9/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A detection apparatus useable with a nuclear fuel rod, comprising:
a transmitter structured to be outside the nuclear fuel rod, wherein the transmitter is configured to:
generate an excitation pulse; and
transmit the excitation pulse through a material into a volume surrounded by the material;
a resonant electrical circuit positioned within the volume of the nuclear fuel rod, wherein the resonant electrical circuit is configured to:
generate a response pulse in response to the excitation pulse; and
transmit the response pulse through the material to a space external to the material, wherein the response pulse is indicative of a parameter associated with the volume; and
a receiver, wherein the receiver is positioned in the space and is configured to:
generate an output signal in response to the response pulse, wherein the output signal is representative of the response pulse; and
communicate the output signal.