[0002] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY

[0003] The present invention claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Number 63/086,682 filed October 2, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully restated herein. Any conflict between the incorporated material and the specific teachings of this disclosure shall be resolved in favor of the latter. Likewise, any conflict between an art-understood definition of a word or phrase and a definition of the word or phrase as specifically taught in this disclosure shall be resolved in favor of the latter.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The inventors recognized that it is desirable to view the inside of a reactor while it is operation in order to monitor the status of internal components such as the burner or refractory. Because of the thickness of the refractory previous approaches used in the art result in field of view that is very narrow, such as 3-4 degrees, and offer a very limited view of the item of interest. However, current approaches to solve this problem result in cameras that are melted or have process solidify on an exterior of the camera window.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Wherefore, it is an obj ect of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the current technology.

[0008] The presently disclosed invention relates to a high temperature reactor camera system comprising a cooling jacket, a cooled camera assembly positioned adjacent to distal end of the cooling jacket, a first regulated cooling circuit cooling the elongated cylindrical cooling jacket, and a second cooling circuit cooling the cooled camera assembly. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a cooling inlet fluidly attached to both the first and the second circuit via a manifold. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a first cooling outlet fluidly attached to the first regulated cooling circuit, and a high temperature regulator attached to the first cooling outlet controlling flow of coolant based on a temperature of coolant in the first regulated cooling circuit. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a second temperature outlet attached to the second cooling circuit. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a low temperature regulator attached to the second cooling outlet controlling flow of coolant based on a temperature of coolant in the second cooling circuit. According to a further embodiment the first regulated cooling circuit includes an inner jacket tube extending an axial length of the cooling jacket, an outer jacket tube coaxial with and radially outward of the inner jacket tube, a barrier tube spacing the inner jacket tube from the outer jacket tube, but a jacket gap adjacent a distal end of the jacket tube where the barrier tube does not space the inner jacket tube from the outer jacket tube. According to a further embodiment a space between the inner jacket tube and the barrier tube defines an inner annular space that carries coolant from the inlet to the jacket gap, and a space between the barrier tube and the outer j acket tube defines an outer annular space that carries coolant from the jacket gap to the first coolant outlet. According to a further embodiment the second regulated circuit includes a coolant feed tube extending parallel and axially interior to the inner jacket tube, the coolant feet tube carrying coolant from the inlet to cooled camera assembly and a coolant return tube, and a coolant return tube extending parallel to the coolant feed tube and axially interior to the inner jacket tube, the coolant return tube carrying coolant from the coolant return tube to the second coolant outlet. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a wiring conduit extending from an electronics housing to the cooled camera module, the wiring conduit being parallel to coolant feed tube and the coolant return tube, and the electronics housing containing electronics to control the system and designed to be external to the reactor when the system is attached to the reactor, the wiring conduit carrying wiring to electrically connect the electronics in the electronics housing with the cooled camera module. According to a further embodiment the cooled camera module comprises a camera and a temperature sensor connected to the electronics of the electronics housing via the wiring conduit. According to a further embodiment a spacing between the interior of the inner jacket tube and an exterior of each of the wiring conduit, the coolant feed tube, and the coolant return tube is substantially filled with an insulation. According to a further embodiment the insulation is mineral wool. According to a further embodiment the cooled camera housing comprise an end cap, an inner housing, an outer housing, and a window cap, the inner housing and the outer housing being spaced from one another and defining a camera assembly gap, the camera assembly gap fluidly connected to the coolant feed tube and the coolant return tube through the end cap. According to a further embodiment the end cap comprises a coolant feed tube port connected to the coolant feed tube and a coolant return tube port connected to the coolant return port, and further comprising a plurality of axial dividers disposed on an outer circumference of the inner housing and connecting the inner housing to an inner circumference of the outer housing, a housing weld circumscribing and connecting the outer circumference of the inner housing to the inner circumference of the outer housing at a location proximate to a distal most location of the inner housing and distal of a most distal point of the axial dividers, the axial dividers creating a plurality of housing paths, with a first one or more housing paths directly fluidly connecting the coolant feed tube port to a spacing between the axial dividers and the housing weld, and a remaining one or more housing paths directly fluidly connecting the coolant return tube port to the spacing between the axial dividers and the housing weld. According to a further embodiment either or both of the high temperature regulator or the low temperature regulator are wax based mechanical thermostat valves. According to a further embodiment a melting temperature of a wax in the high temperature regulator is between 83.0 to 95.0 °C and a melting temperature of a wax in the low temperature regulator is between 35.0 to 39.0 °C. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises a pressure sensor at a location adjacent to the coolant inlet measuring coolant pressure.

[0009] The presently disclosed invention further relates to methods of imaging an interior of a high temperature reactor with a high temperature reactor camera system having a cooling jacket, a cooled camera assembly positioned adjacent to distal end of the cooling jacket, a first regulated cooling circuit cooling the elongated cylindrical cooling jacket, and a second cooling circuit cooling the cooled camera assembly, the cooled camera assembly being in an interior of the high temperature reactor, the method comprising capturing one of still and video images on a camera in the cooled camera assembly, passing coolant through the first and the second fluid circuits, and sending the one of still and video images from the camera to an electronic housing located exterior to the high temperature reactor. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises providing the steps of maintaining a temperature of coolant in the first cooling circuit at the first coolant outlet at a range between 60.0 to 130.0 °C, and a temperature of coolant in the second cooling circuit at the second coolant outlet at a range of between 30.0 to 45.0 °C. According to a further embodiment the high temperature reactor camera further comprises a mechanical wax element high temperature regulator attached to the first coolant outlet and a mechanical wax element low temperature regulator attached to the second coolant outlet.

[0010] A cooled camera module with a window is arranged radially within an interior channel of the cooling jacket near the distal end. A coolant feed tube and coolant return tube are arranged inside the interior channel of the cooling jacket. Coolant from the coolant inlet flows through the coolant feed tube, through the cooled camera module, through the coolant return tube, through an optional low temperature flow regulator, and exits through a coolant outlet.

[0011] The optional second flow regulator controls the flow rate of coolant in the cooled camera module to the minimum flow needed to maintain the temperature of the camera electronics below their maximum rated temperature. When the second flow regulator is not used, excess flow beyond the amount needed to cool the camera is allowed to flow. The second regulator is preferably used only to minimize coolant usage.

[0012] The presently disclosed invention is related to a reactor camera and methods of use, the reactor camera being a high temperature reactor camera for viewing the interior of running reactor through an opening in a wall of the reactor, the camera comprising an cooling jacket, a cooled camera assembly, a first flow regulator that maintains the cooling jacket at temperature that is low enough to protect the apparatus from excessive temperatures and high enough to prevent solidification of process gases on the window and other parts of the apparatus, an optional second flow regulator that maintains the cooled camera at a temperature below its maximum temperature rating.

[0013] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the current technology discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is to be appreciated that though the accompanying drawings are to scale for some embodiments, the emphasis is instead placed on illustrating the principles of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned isomeric view of a high temperature reactor camera system as presently disclosed;

[0017] Fig. 2 is an up-close view of the distal end of the high temperature reactor camera system of Fig. 1;

[0018] Fig. 3 is an up-close partially sectioned isomeric view of the cooled camera assembly of Fig. 1, with a directional view along view line F3 in Fig. 4, with F3T being the top of the page for Fig. 3 and F3B being the bottom of the page for Fig. 3;

[0019] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram representation of the high temperature reactor camera system of Fig. 1 inserted into a reactor;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a cross section of the cooling jacket of Fig 4 along sectional line F5; and

[0021] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the first and second coolant circuits of the high temperature reactor camera system of Fig. 1.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present invention. In the summary above, in the following detailed description, in the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the present invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features, not just those explicitly described. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),” “having,” “has,” “can,” “contain(s),” and grammatical equivalents and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that do not preclude the possibility of additional acts or structures, are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. The singular forms “a,” “and” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0024] The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm. Where spatial directions are given, for example above, below, top, and bottom, such directions refer to the high temperature reactor camera system as represented in Fig. 4, unless identified otherwise.

[0025] The embodiments set forth the below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. For the measurements listed, embodiments including measurements plus or minus the measurement times 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% and 75% are also contemplated. For the recitation of numeric ranges herein, each intervening number there between with the same degree of precision is explicitly contemplated. For example, for the range of 6-9, the numbers 7 and 8 are contemplated in addition to 6 and 9, and for the range 6.0-7.0, the number 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, and 7.0 are explicitly contemplated.

[0026] The term “substantially” means that the property is within 80% of its desired value. In other embodiments, “substantially” means that the property is within 90% of its desired value. In other embodiments, “substantially” means that the property is within 95% of its desired value. In other embodiments, “substantially” means that the property is within 99% of its desired value. For example, the term “substantially complete” means that a process is at least 80% complete, for example. In other embodiments, the term “substantially complete” means that a process is at least 90% complete, for example. In other embodiments, the term “substantially complete” means that a process is at least 95% complete, for example. In other embodiments, the term “substantially complete” means that a process is at least 99% complete, for example.

[0027] The term “substantially” includes a value is within about 10% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 5% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 2.5% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 1% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 0.5% of the indicated value.

[0028] The term “about” includes when value is within about 10% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 5% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 2.5% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 1% of the indicated value. In certain embodiments, the value is within about 0.5% of the indicated value.

[0029] The term “reactor” includes high temperature reaction chamber such as a furnace, partial oxidation reactor, claus thermal reactor, or similar.

[0030] The term “coolant” includes a liquid or gas used for cooling.

[0031] In addition, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages of any of the embodiments need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

[0032] It is an object of some embodiments of the disclosed invention to provide a camera for viewing the interior of a high temperature reactor chamber with a cooling arrangement that protects the electronics of the camera from excessive temperature, while maintaining the exterior camera housing surfaces and window at a high enough temperature to prevent solidification of process materials on the surfaces and/or window.

[0033] Turning now to Figs. 1 - 6, a brief description concerning the various components of the present invention will now be briefly discussed. [0034] The inventors have recognized that it is desirable to insert a camera directly into the reactor to allow imaging of a much wider field of view than is available from the exterior of the reactor. A reactor may typically reach temperatures on the order of 2,000 °F - 3,000 °F, yet many video cameras cannot tolerate temperatures much in excess of 100 °F. Further, in some reactors, process material that contacts with excessively cooled exterior surfaces can cause solidification of process materials on the camera window obscuring imaging, and on the camera body preventing removal of the camera. Depending on the type of reactor, it may be undesirable to vent coolant into the reactor, provide a potential path for toxic process materials to escape containment, or, to provide a coolant path that causes any exterior surfaces within the reactor to drop below the solidification temperature of process materials.

[0035] Thus, the inventors disclose a high temperature reactor camera system 100 with a first regulated cooling circuit 102 cooling an elongated cylindrical cooling jacket 104 and a second cooling circuit 106 cooling a cooled camera assembly 108 positioned adjacent to, but preferably spaced from, an interior end 110 of the cooling jacket 104. The cooling jacket 104 extending from exterior to a reactor 112 or furnace and into the reactor interior 114.

[0036] The first cooling circuit 102 comprises a coolant inlet 116, preferably a coolant manifold 118, an inner flow channel 120, and outer flow channel 122, and a first coolant outlet 124. In one embodiment, the cooling jacket 104 is comprised of an outer jacket tube 126, an inner jacket tube 128, and a barrier tube 130. The outer jacket tube 126 and the inner jacket tube 128 are arranged concentrically and joined at the interior end 110 to create a water and airtight connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner jacket tube 128 and outer jacket tube 126 are joined by a jacket weld 132 at the interior end 110 of the cooling jacket 104, though other methods of joining the inner jacket tube 128 and outer jacket tube 126 are anticipated. The barrier tube 130 is arranged concentrically between the inner jacket tube 128 and outer jacket tube 126, such that there is a jacket gap 134 between the interior end of the barrier tube 130 and jacket weld 132. An inner annular space 136, forming the inner flow channel 120, is defined between the inner jacket tube 128 and the barrier tube 130. An outer annular space 138, forming the outer flow channel 122, is defined between the barrier tube 130 and the outer jacket tube 126. Coolant fluid flows through the inner flow channel 120, through the jacket gap 134 and returns through the outer flow channel 122.

[0037] The second cooling circuit 106 comprises preferably the coolant inlet 116, preferably the coolant manifold 118, a camera coolant feed channel 140, a camera assembly gap 141, a camera coolant return channel 142, and preferably a second coolant outlet 144.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, inside of the inner jacket tube encases a coolant feed tube 146, a coolant return tube 148, and a wiring conduit 150. Preferably at least partially filling the space 152 separating the coolant feed tube 146, the coolant return tube 148, and the wiring conduit 150 is an insulating material 154 such as mineral wool. A proximal end 156 of coolant feed tube 146 preferably connects to the coolant manifold 118. A distal end 158 of the coolant feed tube 146 connects to a coolant feed tube port 160 in an end cap 162 of the cooled camera assembly 108. A proximal end 164 of coolant return tube 148 preferably connects to the second coolant outlet 144. A distal end 166 of the coolant return tube 148 connects to a coolant return tube port 168 in the end cap 162. A proximal end 170 of the wired conduit 150 preferably connects to an electronics housing 172, preferably spaced from the reactor 112 by the coolant inlet 116, the first coolant outlet 124, and the second coolant outlet 144. The electronics housing 172 preferably containing electronics to send and receive power and data to and from the components of the high temperature reactor camera system 100. A distal end 174 of the wiring conduit 150 connects to camera module 176, containing the camera 178. The wiring conduit 150 contains wires electrically connecting the electronics housing 172 to the camera 178.

[0039] The cooled camera assembly 108 is arranged concentrically inside the inner jacket tube 128 near the distal end 110 of the cooling jacket 104. The cooled camera assembly 108 comprises the end cap 162, an outer housing 180, an inner housing 182, a window cap 184, and the camera module 176. The camera module 176 is enclosed inside the inner housing 182. The inner housing 182 is surrounded concentrically by the outer housing 180, preferably except for a distal end 186 of the inner housing 182 that preferably extends distally further than a distal end 188 of the outer housing 180, allowing spacing for an elastomeric inner seal 190. The inner seal 190 is compressed against the window 192 by the distal end of the outer housing 188 when the window cap 184 is fully screwed on to the outer housing 188, and prevents process gases from entering the cooled camera assembly 108 through any gaps between a window 192 and the window cap 184.

[0040] The camera assembly gap 141 is defined between the inner housing 182 and the outer housing 180 and is fluidly connected to each of the coolant feed tube port 160 and coolant return tube port 168. The inner housing 182 and outer housing 180 are welded together by housing weld 194 to form a coolant seal and prevent coolant from leaking out of the camera assembly gap 141. The housing weld 194 is a weld bead that fixedly connects inner housing 182 and outer housing 180 at, or adjacent, the distal end 188 of the outer housing 180. The bead of the housing weld 194 forming a circle concentric with an outer circumference of the camera module 176. The window 192 is mounted inside the window cap 184, which is threaded on to outer housing 180 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer housing 180 and the window cap 184. An elastomeric outer seal 196 is provided between a proximal end 198 of the window cap 184 and a radial shoulder 200 of the outer housing 180. The outer seal 196 preferably is biased to extend radially outward further than the radial shoulder 200 or the window cap 184, such that when the temperature regulating camera assembly 108 is positioned inside the cooling jacket 104, the outer seal 196 prevents process gases from traveling distally past the window cap and entering the interior space 152 of the high temperature reactor camera system 100.

[0041] The inner housing 182 preferably has three or more axial dividers 210 along an axial length of the outer circumference of the inner housing 182. The axial dividers 210 run from a proximal location where the coolant feed port 160 and coolant return port 168 respectively and fluidly separately connect to the camera assembly gap 141, to a distal location axially close to the bead of the housing weld 194 but spaced from the bead of the housing weld 194 sufficiently to allow coolant to flow distally around the axial dividers 210. The axial dividers 210 serve to fixedly attach the inner housing 182 to the outer housing 180, and to create three or more housing paths 212 along the outer surface of the inner housing 182, each path defined circumferentially by two axial dividers 210, radially inwardly by the inner housing 182, and radially externally by the outer housing 180. Although only two axial dividers 210 may be used, creating just two housing paths 212, in such embodiments the inner housing 182 may not be as securely attached to the outer housing 180. The end cap 162 connects the coolant feed tube 146 and coolant return tube 148 to the camera assembly gap 141. The coolant feed tube port 160 being fluidly separated from the coolant return tube port 168, except via a spacing between the axial dividers 210 and the housing weld 194 bead. In a preferred embodiment, coolant enters from the coolant feed tube 146 through the coolant feed tube port 160, flows distally down two of three the housing paths 212 on one side of the inner housing 182 and back proximally up the remaining housing paths 212 on the other side of the inner housing 182, and exits through the coolant return tube port 168 to the coolant return tube 148. In this embodiment, the coolant feed tube 146 and coolant feed tube port 160 form the camera coolant feed channel 140 of the of the second cooling circuit 106, and the coolant return tube 148 and coolant return tube port 168 form the camera coolant return channel 142 of the second cooling circuit 106. In further embodiments, axial dividers 210 may additionally or alternatively be provided along the outer circumference of the camera module 176, connecting and spacing the camera module 176 from the inner surface of the inner housing, these axial dividers extending distally to a location adjacent to but spaced from the window to allow coolant to flow around the distal end of the axial dividers from one module path to another module path.

[0042] The jacket gap 134 preferably extends further distally than the cooled camera assembly 108, allowing for a cooling zone to extend over a front of the cooled camera assembly 108. The window 192 is recessed inside the distal end of the window cap 184, with a view field extending at an angle to the system axis 216. The window cap 184 is preferably spaced proximately from the distal end of the cooling jacket 104 at a location such that scope of viewing from the window 192 is substantially aligned to the distal edge of the inner jacket tube 128. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the camera end cap is recessed approximately 1.0 inches proximately from the distal edge of the inner jacket tube 128. The window 192 being mounted from the back of the window cap 184 to provide an explosion proof cap.

[0043] The high temperature reactor camera system 100 is typically mounted on a nozzle of a high temperature reactor 112 or furnace using a process connection 202. A process sealing assembly 204 allows the high temperature reactor camera system 100 to be inserted into the process (e.g., the reactor interior 114) while preventing process gases from escaping. The cooling jacket 104 roughly defines a system axis 216, with a direction parallel to the cooling jacket 104 towards the exterior of the reactor 112 being a proximal direction 218 (towards the left in Fig. 4), and a direction parallel to the cooling jacket 104 and towards the reactor interior 114 being in a distal direction 220 (towards the right in Fig. 4).

[0044] In functioning, coolant enters the high temperature reactor camera system 100 through the coolant inlet 116 and is directed by the coolant manifold 118 partly into the cooling jacket 104 and partly into the coolant feed tube 146. Coolant flows through the inner flow channel 120 of the cooling jacket 104 warming to a temperature above the solidification temperature. The coolant then passes through the jacket gap 134, and returns through the outer flow channel 122 of the coolant jacket 104, absorbing heat energy from the process that would otherwise pass into the interior of the high temperature reactor camera system 100. The coolant continues proximally down the outer flow channel 122 to preferably a high temperature flow regulator 206 mounted on the first coolant outlet 124. The high temperature flow regulator 206 adjusts the coolant flow rate to preferably maintain a nearly constant temperature at the flow regulator 206, indicating a nearly constant temperature at any given point in the cooling jacket 104, preferably by increasing or decreasing coolant flow rate. As the barrier tube 130 is preferably formed of stainless steel, the coolant flowing distally in the inner flow channel 120 will be cooling coolant flowing proximally in the outer flow channel 122 through the barrier tube 130. This helps maintain a more uniform temperature along the length of the cooling jacket 104. In a preferred embodiment, the regulation temperature for the first cooling circuit is preferably set between 60.0 to 130.0 °C, more preferably between 75.0 to 115.0 °C, most preferably between 83.0 to 95.0 °C. With appropriate flow volume of the coolant, these temperatures are adequate to keep the exterior of the outer jacket tube 126 in the desired temperature range of 130.0 - 450.0 °C, cool enough to prevent damage to the cooling jacket and high enough to prevent solidification of process materials on the cooling jacket or window.

[0045] The coolant manifold 118 also directs coolant into the coolant feed tube 146. The coolant travels to the cooled camera assembly 108, and then back out through the coolant return tube 148 to a low temperature flow regulator 208. The low temperature flow regulator 208 adjusts the coolant flow rate to maintain a nearly constant temperature within at the flow regulator 208. In a preferred embodiment, the regulation temperature is set to be preferably in the range of 30.0 - 45.0 °C, more preferably in the range of 33.0 - 42.0 °C, and most preferably in the range of 35.0 - 39.0 °C. Flow from the low temperature flow regulator 208 exits the high temperature reactor camera system through the second coolant outlet 144. In some embodiments, the second flow regulator 208 may be omitted. In preferred embodiments, a temperature sensor 212 is provided in camera module, adjacent to the camera. The temperature sensor 212 is preferably electrically connected to the electronics in the electronic housing 172 via wires in the wiring conduit 150. The electronics preferably include a wireless transmitter or wired data transmitter 214 that allows a user to receive camera and temperature data from the camera and temperature sensor respectively either proximate to the high temperature reactor camera system 100 or remote from the high temperature reactor camera system 100. Additionally, the electronics may be programed such that if the temperature sensor 212 registers a temperature in excess of a set unsafe or critical temperature, indicating a coolant leak/failure an alarm is triggered and the high temperature reactor camera system is automatically extracted from the reactor by an automatic extractor 222, lest the cooling jacket potentially explode. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensor could send an alarm signal to the electronics to send an alert to an operator. The operator could then manually withdraw the high temperature reactor camera system 100 from the reactor. The electronics preferably includes a processor with a non-volatile memory connected to a power source of a wired power or battery, with instructions stored on the memory to cause the processor to carry out the steps described herein.

[0046] The flow regulators 206, 208 can be electromechanical or mechanical. In a preferred embodiment, the regulators are mechanical wax expansion thermostats similar to the thermostat commonly used in automobile engines. Wax thermostatic elements transform heat energy into mechanical energy using the thermal expansion of waxes when they melt. The wax is solid at low temperatures and melts and expands as temperatures rise. The wax chosen varies based on the melting temperature desired. In the embodiments described, the melting temperature for the wax in each flow regulator may a temperature i j between the upper bound and lower bound of the operating temperature window for the respective circuit. A sealed chamber containing the wax operates a rod which opens a valve when the target temperature is exceeded. In some embodiments, the flow regulator allows a set amount of coolant to pass when a regulator valve is closed, and a higher amount of coolant at a higher temperature when the flow regulator valve is opened. The flow regulator may also be controlled by a normally open solenoid valve that closes when a temperature sensor detects the temperature falls below a midway point in the temperature window, and opens when the temperature raises above the midway point. The circuits may have a temperature sensor disposed along the respective circuit paths, preferably at a point of most distal extension, or in a further embodiment, proximate to the flow regulators 206, 208.

[0047] In further embodiments, there is a pressure sensor disposed proximate to the inlet to ensure appropriate coolant pressure for both the first and second cooling circuits 104, 108. The pressure sensor will communicate with the electronics in the electronics housing. If a pressure drops below a lower critical level, the transmitter may send our an alarm to the user and may cause the extractor to extract the high temperature reactor camera system from the reactor.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment the window 192 will be made of glass or sapphire, the seals made of elastomeric material, the insulating material 154 made of mineral wool, the 178, sensors 212, electronics, and wiring will preferably include silicone, electrically conductive materials, such as copper and other metals, and non-conductive materials as is appropriate, and substantially all of the remaining elements of the high temperature reactor camera are constructed from stainless steel.

[0049] In some embodiments there is a single coolant inlet 116 and a single coolant outlet 124, 144 for both the first cooling circuit 102 and the second cooling circuit 106. In some embodiments, there are two coolant inlets 116 and two coolant outlets 124, 144, with a respective cooling inlet and cooling outlet for each circuit, an embodiment where the manifold is preferably omitted.

[0050] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may explicitly be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various other related ways. The present disclosure also contemplates other embodiments “comprising,” “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of,” the embodiments or elements presented herein, whether explicitly set forth or not. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items, while only the terms “consisting of’ and “consisting only of’ are to be construed in the limitative sense.