Fluor has been granted a patent for a method of creating instrumented supports for nuclear reactor steam generators. The method involves using additive manufacturing to integrate sensors within the support structure, facilitating the installation of a helical steam conduit that enhances thermal communication in the reactor. GlobalData’s report on Fluor 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 Fluor, Combined cycle power plants was a key innovation area identified from patents. Fluor's grant share as of July 2024 was 61%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Instrumented support for nuclear reactor steam generators
The granted patent US12062461B2 outlines a method for creating an instrumented conduit support specifically designed for steam generator conduits in nuclear reactors. This method involves the integration of a fiber optic strain sensor and a fiber optic link into the conduit support using an additive manufacturing process. The instrumented conduit support consists of a carrier portion and a retainer portion, which together support a helical steam conduit. The installation of this assembly is intended to facilitate the circulation of heated primary flow in thermal communication with the steam conduit, enhancing the operational efficiency of the nuclear reactor.
Additionally, the patent describes variations of the method, including the possibility of using multiple instrumented conduit supports to carry the helical steam conduit. The fiber optic strain sensor may incorporate materials not found in the conduit support itself, and the support is preferably made from stainless steel. The additive manufacturing process can include ultrasonic techniques, allowing for the seamless integration of sensors, which may include strain or thermal sensors, into the structure of the conduit support. The communication link for the sensors can be optical, with provisions for embedding parts of this link within the outer surface of the support components. This innovative approach aims to improve monitoring and performance in nuclear reactor 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.
