Ovation (Westinghouse Electric) Secures Patent for Vanadium Neutron Detector-Based Reactor Core Moni
Time:2026-06-12 Browse: 0
Zhuhai, China – June 12, 2026 – Ovation, the advanced energy and nuclear technology division of Westinghouse Electric, has been granted a patent for an innovative “Method and Device Using Vanadium Neutron Detectors”. The patent, with publication number CN114787941B, was originally filed in December 2020.
This patented technology introduces a novel method for real-time monitoring and verification of reactor core power distribution in nuclear facilities, leveraging vanadium neutron detectors for high-precision measurement and analysis. The method is executed on a general-purpose computer and includes the following key steps:
Detector Current Measurement: Electric current values are obtained from multiple vanadium neutron detector components installed across the reactor core.
Relative Core Power Distribution Determination: The measured currents are used to calculate the relative power distribution within the reactor core.
Core Power Distribution Generation: Based on the relative distribution, the absolute power distribution of the core is generated.
Reactor Operation Verification: The measured core power distribution is utilized to verify that the reactor operates within licensed operational limits.
The patent also details the design and implementation of the vanadium neutron detector components, which enable microsecond-level detection and precise mapping of neutron flux, improving both safety and operational efficiency.
This development represents a significant step forward in nuclear reactor monitoring and control, providing Ovation (Westinghouse Electric) with a cutting-edge solution for predictive maintenance, operational verification, and enhanced safety in nuclear energy systems.
