Optical
Seals For Containers
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Oak Ridge researchers have developed an active optical seals technology that is used to protect weapons-grade nuclear materials stored in containers, like these above.
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ORNL researchers working with
researchers at the Oak Ridge Y-12 National Security Complex have developed
an active seal technology that immediately indicates when a container
has been breached. This optical seals technology, which is used at the
Y-12 facility to protect stored weapons-grade nuclear materials, has saved
the facility hundreds of thousands of dollars in materials control and
accountability costs. The patented technology, known as the ReflectoActive™
Seals System (RAS), was invented by Jeff Muhs, Barton Smith, and Duncan
Earl, all of ORNL’s Engineering Science and Technology Division, and Y-12’s
Chris Pickett.
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If a container seal has been breached, the light signal reaching the detector will register as a much taller peak.
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Instead of passive seals that must be checked manually, large arrays of storage containers can be continuously monitored using active seals consisting of optical fibers, thin strands of glass that conduct light. Light of varying frequencies travels in opposite directions through a fiber-optic loop that may have 150 to 200 seals. An optical-time-domain reflectometer sends light pulses through the optical fibers. Light is reflected back from each closed seal and detected by an immediate detection unit. If the seal is breached or opened, the light signal reaching the detector will register as a much taller peak, setting off an alarm and indicating which container has a seal problem.
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This active seals system, which uses a light source, computer, detector, and optical fibers, instantly indicates when a container has been breached.
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RAS provides continuous surveillance of the containers even during a breach or opening. It verifies in real time that the seals on individual containers are intact. The fully automated system is controlled from an intuitive graphical user interface. It can be used with a variety of container closure designs and container configurations. One RAS system can monitor up to 2000 seals or containers.
RAS provides continuous tamper indication for large numbers of containers at a significantly lower cost than other active seal technologies. RAS is self-powered and requires no electrical components, so little maintenance is required. The RAS technology is expected to be commercialized soon.
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