Electricite de France has patented a control rod position indication system for nuclear reactors. The system uses permanent magnets and reed switches to accurately monitor the position of control rods, enhancing reactor safety and efficiency. GlobalData’s report on Electricite de France gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Electricite de France, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. Electricite de France's grant share as of March 2024 was 68%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Control rod position indication system for nuclear reactors
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11967437B2) discloses a nuclear reactor design featuring a control rod position indication system. The reactor includes a reactor core and at least one movable control rod for regulating reactivity. The control rod position indication system comprises a permanent magnet mounted on the control rod or a corresponding drive rod, along with multiple reed switches positioned along the rod's linear path of movement. These reed switches are designed to be activated by the magnetic field generated by the passing permanent magnet. Importantly, the permanent magnet's north-south axis remains constant during movement, while the reed switches are inclined at specific angles relative to this axis, ranging from 15 to 65 degrees.
Furthermore, the patent claims specify additional features such as the reactor being a pressurized water reactor, the preferred range for the angle of inclination being 30 to 40 degrees, and the arrangement of reed switches in parallel to the path of movement. Additionally, all reed switches are inclined in the same manner, ensuring consistency in operation. Moreover, redundant information is provided by positioning multiple reed switches at the same axial position of the control rod or drive rod. These claims highlight the innovative design elements aimed at enhancing the control and safety mechanisms within nuclear reactors, ultimately contributing to the efficiency and reliability of such systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
