Neutron irradiation sample box convenient for teleoperation and disassembly and assembly tool thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a neutron irradiation sample box convenient for teleoperation and a disassembly and assembly tool thereof, and belongs to the crossing field of nuclear science and technology application and equipment manufacturing. The sample box comprises a sample cover, a sealing piece, a sample inner grid frame and a cavity, the sample cover is in threaded connection with the cavity, the sealing piece is sealed by plastic deformation, and the sample inner grid frame is provided with partition compartments for placing samples; the disassembling and assembling tool comprises a mounting base, a screwing handle, a lower jaw, an arc knife edge, a sample box separating nut, an arched sample box positioning block and the like. Through special design, the sample box is convenient for teleoperation and sample addition and reduction, non-welding sealing is adopted to guarantee sample irradiation conditions, a dismounting tool can be subjected to full-flow teleoperation, innovative characteristics such as an irradiation-resistant adhesive, a pressure sensor and a fine adjustment device are added, the sealing stability and the operation accuracy are improved, and the sample box is convenient to use. The problems of inconvenience in remote operation, sealing, sample increase and decrease and the like of a traditional sample box are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the intersection of nuclear science and technology application and equipment manufacturing, and specifically relates to a neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that are convenient for remote operation; the sample box is mainly used for neutron irradiation experiments on materials in high-radiation environments such as spallation neutron source target stations. Through an innovative sealing structure and remote operation design, the sample box can be conveniently disassembled and assembled and the samples can be safely removed, solving the technical difficulties of traditional sample boxes in remote operation disassembly, sealing performance, and sample addition and reduction. Background Art

[0002] In the field of nuclear science and radioactive material research, neutron irradiation experiments on materials are of vital importance, which is directly related to the safe operation of nuclear facilities and the selection and utilization of key materials for new devices. During the operation of facilities such as spallation neutron source target stations, a large number of high-energy particles such as neutrons are generated. These high-energy particles can activate structural materials (such as austenitic stainless steel) and release gamma rays. Therefore, in order to accurately evaluate the service life and performance changes of materials after irradiation, neutron irradiation experiments must be carried out on the materials in a high-radiation environment.

[0003] Traditionally, neutron-irradiated samples are usually placed in fission reactors, where cooling water is often present. To prevent the cooling water from corroding and scouring the irradiated samples, the sample boxes are usually sealed by welding. However, this welding sealing technology has many significant limitations.

[0004] On the one hand, the welded and sealed sample box needs to be cut to open after the experiment, which is not convenient for remote operation. In the actual operation of nuclear science research, due to the dangerous radiation environment, remote operation is an important means to ensure the safety of researchers, and traditional welded and sealed sample boxes cannot meet this requirement.

[0005] On the other hand, traditional sample boxes are processed and molded in one piece, and it is impossible to increase or decrease samples or repeatedly irradiate them. In actual scientific research experiments, it is often necessary to adjust samples according to different experimental needs, such as increasing or decreasing the number of samples, or irradiating the same batch of samples multiple times to study performance changes under different irradiation times. The structure of traditional sample boxes limits the flexibility and diversity of experiments and increases the limitations of experiments.

[0006] In addition, the traditional welding sealing method is prone to changes in material properties due to the existence of a welding heat-affected zone, affecting the accuracy of the experimental results. Moreover, the traditional irradiated sample box requires the use of cutting equipment when opening. The cutting equipment is expensive, and the radioactive debris cut off is difficult to collect and process, increasing the experimental cost and safety risks. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In response to the many problems existing in the above-mentioned traditional technologies, the development of a neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that can effectively facilitate remote disassembly and installation, achieve good sealing, and realize repeated irradiation of samples has become a key issue that needs to be urgently solved in the field of nuclear science and radioactive material research.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that are convenient for remote operation, comprising:

[0009] The sample box comprises: a sample cover, which is threadedly connected to the cavity and has a boss with external thread features on the top for providing support for a manipulator clamp;

[0010] The sealing piece is placed between the sample cover and the cavity and is made of elastic / plastic deformation material. When the sample cover is tightened, it is plastically deformed by the thread pressure to achieve sealing.

[0011] The cavity is provided with an external threaded interface that cooperates with the sample cover, the top edge has an annular blade structure to enhance the sealing effect, and the bottom is provided with an internal threaded hole structure for connecting with the threaded boss of the sample cover;

[0012] The sample rack is placed inside the cavity and has multiple partitioned compartments for sample placement;

[0013] Sample box disassembly and assembly tooling, the sample box disassembly and assembly tooling includes:

[0014] The installation base is used to install and fix the disassembly and assembly tooling and place the sample box that needs to be disassembled and assembled. It is provided with a positioning groove for installing the positioning arch sample box positioning block;

[0015] Tighten the handle, which is installed on the trapezoidal screws on both sides, to lengthen the lever arm and increase the torque, making the operation more labor-saving;

[0016] The lower jaw is mounted on the trapezoidal screw on one side and is used to clamp the bottom of the sample box cavity;

[0017] The arc blade is installed on the upper jaw and is used to pry open the sealing piece of the sample box;

[0018] The sample box separation nut is put on the sample cover when the sample box is to be opened, and is used to open the sample cover;

[0019] The arched positioning block is installed in the positioning groove of the mounting base, precisely matching the shape of the sample box cavity bottom to ensure stability and non-slip when applying force.

[0020] The sealing sheet is made of a material with low induced radioactivity and a hardness lower than that of the sample box, such as pure aluminum.

[0021] The sample box is sealed in a metal seal or a rubber seal. When a metal seal is used, the metal seal is made of a metal material with a low gas outflow rate. The annular blade structure at the bottom of the knife cavity is a 60°-80° slope.

[0022] The sample boxes can be connected to each other to facilitate the adjustment of sample boxes, reduction and increase.

[0023] The sample box material has a Rockwell hardness of ≥70HRA and is made of low induced radioactivity material. The sealing surface roughness of the sample box is ≤3.2 microns.

[0024] It also includes a hot chamber and an operating room, which are isolated by a shielding wall. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling are arranged in the hot chamber, and the remote control system is arranged in the operating room.

[0025] The sample box disassembly and assembly tool is operated by a master-slave manipulator.

[0026] The threaded boss of the sample cover is connected end to end with the bottom of the cavity, which is convenient for remote operation of adding and subtracting sample boxes.

[0027] The mounting base fixes the entire disassembly and assembly tooling and places the sample box to be disassembled and assembled at a specified position. The arched positioning block accurately matches the shape of the bottom of the sample box cavity, ensuring stability and non-slip when force is applied.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that are convenient for remote operation have many significant beneficial effects compared to traditional technologies:

[0029] Improved convenience of remote operation: The top of the sample cover is designed with a boss with external thread features, which is connected end to end to the bottom of the cavity, providing a support point for the robot clamp, facilitating the addition and removal of samples through remote operation. This effectively solves the problem that traditional sample boxes are not easy to disassemble and install through remote operation, greatly improving the convenience and safety of operation, and adapting to the experimental needs of high-radiation environments.

[0030] Optimized sealing performance: A non-welding sealing method is adopted, and the sealing piece is plastically deformed by the thread pressure when the sample cover is tightened to achieve sealing. This sealing method can not only effectively prevent the influence of the external environment (such as oxidation, etc.) on the sample, provide better irradiation conditions for the sample, but also avoid the problem of material performance changes caused by the welding heat affected zone, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0031] Repeated sample irradiation is achieved: The split processing design allows the sample box to be easily added and removed, breaking the limitation of traditional integrated sample boxes that cannot add, reduce or repeatedly irradiate samples. It meets the needs of scientific research experiments for studying sample performance under different irradiation times, reduces experimental limitations, and improves experimental flexibility and diversity.

[0032] Improved experimental efficiency and safety: The design of the disassembly and assembly tooling enables remote operation of the entire process of sample box disassembly and assembly. Using this tooling, the sample box can be opened and the sample removed quickly and safely. One set of tooling can complete operations such as opening the lid, breaking the seal, separating the box lid, and connecting and connecting sample boxes. It avoids the problem of difficult collection and treatment of radioactive debris generated by the traditional cutting method to open the sample box. While ensuring experimental efficiency, it greatly improves safety and reduces experimental costs and safety risks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the sample box of the present invention in an assembled state;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the sample box tooling of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sample cover and the cavity in the exploded state of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the sample cover and the cavity of the present invention in the exploded state.

[0037] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Sample cover; 2. Sealing piece; 3. Sample inner grid; 4. Cavity; 41. Internal threaded hole structure; 42. Annular blade structure; 5a. Mounting base; 6. Tightening handle; 7. Handle; 8. Handle head; 9. T-nut; 10. Support block; 11. Sample box separation nut; 12a. Arched sample box positioning block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation of the present invention mainly include two parts: a sample box and a tooling for disassembly and assembly thereof. The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] 1. Sample box structure and assembly

[0040] The sample box consists of a sample cover 1, a sealing sheet 2, a sample inner grid 3 and a cavity 4.

[0041] Cavity 4: Serving as the main structure of the sample box, it features an externally threaded interface for threaded connection with the sample cover 1. The top edge of cavity 4 features an annular blade structure 42, which enhances the sealing effect during the sealing process. The bottom of cavity 4 features an internally threaded hole structure 41, which connects to the threaded boss on the top of the sample cover 1, ensuring a stable structural connection with the sample box and facilitating remote control of the entire sample box.

[0042] Sample rack 3: Placed inside chamber 4, it is equipped with multiple compartments. In actual use, samples to be irradiated can be placed in different compartments according to different experimental requirements, achieving simultaneous irradiation or classified management of multiple samples.

[0043] Sealing sheet 2 is positioned between the sample cover 1 and the chamber 4. Made of an elastically / plastically deformable material, such as pure aluminum, this material exhibits low induced radioactivity and a hardness lower than that of the sample box. When the sample cover 1 is tightened, the sealing sheet 2 is subjected to the threaded compression force, causing it to plastically deform. This allows it to tightly fit against the annular blade structure 42 at the top edge of the chamber 4, forming a reliable seal. This effectively prevents the sample from being affected by external environmental factors (such as oxidation) and provides optimal irradiation conditions.

[0044] Sample cover 1 is threadedly connected to chamber 4 and features a boss with external threads on its top. This boss connects end-to-end to the bottom of chamber 4, providing a gripping point for the robotic gripper, allowing for easy addition and removal of sample boxes via teleoperation, meeting the requirements of remote operation in high-radiation environments.

[0045] 2. Sample box disassembly and assembly tooling structure and operation

[0046] The sample box disassembly and assembly tool consists of components such as the mounting base 5a, the tightening handle 6, the lower jaw, the arc knife edge, the sample box separation nut 11, the arched sample box positioning block 12a, etc. In addition, it also involves auxiliary components such as the handle 7, the handle head 8, the T-nut 9, and the support block 10.

[0047] Mounting base 5a: Serving as the foundational support for the entire assembly and disassembly tooling, it is used to secure the assembly and disassembly tooling and to position the sample box. Mounting base 5a is provided with a positioning slot for mounting the arched sample box positioning block 12a, ensuring stable placement of the sample box during assembly and disassembly.

[0048] Arched sample box positioning block 12a: Installed in the positioning slot of mounting base 5a, its shape precisely matches the contour of the sample box cavity bottom. During assembly and disassembly, this block ensures the sample box is stable and non-slip during force application, providing a stable foundation for subsequent assembly and disassembly operations.

[0049] Tightening handle 6: Attached to the trapezoidal lead screws on both sides. This increases torque by lengthening the lever arm, reducing operator effort during operation. Handle tips 8 are welded to each end of the tightening handle 6 for easy grip. In practice, the operator can adjust the position of related components and the clamping force by rotating the tightening handle 6.

[0050] Lower jaw: Mounted on a trapezoidal screw on one side, the lower jaw opens and closes via the screw, clamping the bottom of the sample chamber. During clamping, the lower jaw fits tightly against the chamber, preventing the sample chamber from shifting during subsequent operations.

[0051] Arc blade: Installed on the upper jaw, the arc of its blade matches the annular blade structure 42 at the top of the cavity 4. When the sample box needs to be opened, the arc blade, under the action of related components, can accurately pry open the sealing sheet 2 of the sample box, breaking the seal and preparing for sample removal.

[0052] Sample box separation nut 11: When the sample box is to be opened, it is put on the sample cover 1. By rotating the sample box separation nut 11, sufficient force can be generated to release the locked state of the sample cover 1, thereby conveniently opening the sample cover 1 and taking out the sample placed on the sample inner grid 3.

[0053] Other auxiliary components: Handles 7 are fixed to both sides below the sample box separation nut 11, making it easy for the operator to grip and apply rotational force. T-nuts 9 are located at the end of the U-shaped clamp near the trapezoidal screw 3, providing connection and fixation. Support blocks 10 are located between the lower and upper jaws, providing support and stability for the entire jaw structure.

[0054] 3. Overall operation process

[0055] When conducting a neutron irradiation experiment, first place the sample inner grid 3 into the cavity 4. The sample to be irradiated is placed in the corresponding compartment of the sample inner grid 3 according to the experimental requirements. Then, the sealing sheet 2 is placed between the sample cover 1 and the cavity 4. The sample cover 1 is tightened, causing the sealing sheet 2 to plastically deform under the thread pressure, thus achieving a sealed sample box.

[0056] After the experiment is completed, when the sample needs to be taken out, first fix the mounting base 5a, place the irradiated sample box in a suitable position on the mounting base 5a, and position and fix it with the arched sample box positioning block 12a. Next, operate the tightening handle 6 to adjust the position of the lower jaw so that it clamps the bottom of the sample box cavity. Then, use the arc knife edge to pry open the sealing sheet 2 of the sample box. After that, put the sample box separation nut 11 on the threaded boss on the top of the sample cover 1, rotate the sample box separation nut 11, open the sample cover 1, and thus take out the sample on the sample inner grid 3.

[0057] Example: This example describes in detail the application process of the neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that are convenient for remote operation in actual neutron irradiation experiments.

[0058] S1. Sample box preparation before experiment

[0059] First, carefully place the sample rack 3 inside chamber 4. This rack is equipped with multiple compartments. In this experiment, three different metal samples were placed in three different compartments to study the changes in the properties of different materials under neutron irradiation. Cavity 4, the main structure of the sample box, has an internally threaded hole 41 at its bottom and an annular blade 42 on its top edge.

[0060] Next, place the sealing sheet 2 between the sample cover 1 and the cavity 4. The sealing sheet 2 is made of pure aluminum, which has the characteristics of low induced radioactivity and hardness lower than that of the sample box. Then, the sample cover 1 and the cavity 4 are connected by threads. As the sample cover 1 is tightened, the sealing sheet 2 is subjected to the compression force of the threads, causing plastic deformation, and fits tightly with the annular blade structure 42 at the top edge of the cavity 4, forming a reliable seal, effectively preventing the external environment from affecting the sample; the top of the sample cover 1 is designed with a boss with external thread features, which is connected end to end with the bottom of the cavity 4, providing a support point for subsequent remote operation.

[0061] In order to further improve the stability of the sample box during the irradiation process and the durability of the sealing effect, a layer of special radiation-resistant adhesive is coated on the contact surface between the sealing sheet 2, the sample cover 1 and the cavity 4; this adhesive can maintain good adhesion in a neutron irradiation environment while ensuring that it does not affect the plastic deformation of the sealing sheet 2 to achieve the sealing function, thereby reducing the problem of loose sealing caused by irradiation.

[0062] S2. Sample box disassembly and assembly operation

[0063] After the neutron irradiation experiment is completed, the sample needs to be taken out of the sample box for analysis; at this time, the sample box disassembly and assembly tool is used to perform the operation.

[0064] First, firmly fix the mounting base 5a on the operating table. The mounting base 5a serves as the basic support for the entire disassembly and assembly tooling and is provided with a positioning groove. Place the irradiated sample box at a suitable position on the mounting base 5a and position and fix it with the arched sample box positioning block 12a. The arched sample box positioning block 12a precisely matches the shape of the sample box cavity bottom to ensure that the sample box will not be displaced during subsequent operations.

[0065] Operate the tightening handle 6, which is installed on the trapezoidal screws on both sides. The torque is increased by lengthening the lever arm, making the operation more labor-saving; handle heads 8 are welded at both ends of the tightening handle 6, which are convenient for the operator to hold; by rotating the tightening handle 6, the position of the lower jaw is adjusted, and the lower jaw is installed on the trapezoidal screw on one side, so that it can accurately clamp the bottom of the sample box cavity.

[0066] In the disassembly and assembly tooling, in order to more accurately control the force of prying open the sealing sheet 2 and avoid unnecessary damage to the sample box, a pressure sensor and a fine-tuning device are set on the related linkage parts of the lower jaw and the arc blade; the pressure sensor can monitor the applied force in real time, and the fine-tuning device can accurately adjust the prying force of the arc blade according to the feedback information of the pressure sensor; the arc blade is installed on the upper jaw, and the curvature of its blade matches the annular blade structure 42 at the top of the cavity 4, and the arc blade is used to gently pry open the sealing sheet 2 of the sample box.

[0067] Afterwards, the sample box separation nut 11 is put on the threaded boss on the top of the sample cover 1; handles 7 are fixed on both sides below the sample box separation nut 11, which are convenient for the operator to hold and apply rotational force; by rotating the sample box separation nut 11, the locking state of the sample cover 1 is released, thereby opening the sample cover 1 and taking out the three metal material samples placed on the sample inner grid 3.

[0068] In the structure of the disassembly and assembly tool, a support block 10 is also provided, which is located between the lower jaw and the upper jaw to support and stabilize the jaw structure; at the same time, the U-shaped clamping block end close to the side of the trapezoidal screw has a T-nut 9, which is used to connect and fix related components to ensure the structural stability of the entire disassembly and assembly tool.

[0069] It can be seen from this embodiment that the neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling that are easy to remotely operate of the present invention can safely and efficiently complete the placement, irradiation and removal processes of samples in neutron irradiation experiments, and have innovative technical features, effectively solving the problems existing in traditional technologies.

[0070] The foregoing description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tool convenient for remote operation, characterized by: include: The sample box comprises: a sample cover (1) threadedly connected to a cavity (4), and a top portion thereof is provided with a boss (11) with external thread features for providing support for a manipulator clamp; The sealing sheet (2) is arranged between the sample cover (1) and the cavity (4), and is made of elastic / plastic deformation material. When the sample cover (1) is tightened, it is plastically deformed by the thread pressing force to achieve sealing; The cavity (4) is provided with an external threaded interface for matching with the sample cover (1), the top edge of which has an annular blade structure (42) to enhance the sealing effect, and the bottom of which is provided with an internal threaded hole structure (41) for connecting with the threaded boss (11) of the sample cover (1); A sample inner grid (3) is placed inside the cavity (4) and is provided with a plurality of partitioned compartments for placing samples; Sample box disassembly and assembly tooling, the sample box disassembly and assembly tooling includes: An installation base (5a) is used for installing and fixing the disassembly and assembly tooling and placing the sample box that needs to be disassembled and assembled, and is provided with a positioning groove for installing a positioning arched sample box positioning block (12a); Tightening handles (6) are mounted on the trapezoidal screws on both sides to lengthen the lever arm and thereby increase the torque, making the operation more labor-saving; The lower jaw is mounted on the trapezoidal screw on one side and is used to clamp the bottom of the sample box cavity; The arc blade is installed on the upper jaw and is used to pry open the sealing piece of the sample box; A sample box separation nut (11) is put on the sample cover (1) when the sample box is to be opened, and is used to open the sample cover; The arched positioning block (12a) is mounted on the positioning groove of the mounting base (5a) and accurately matches the shape of the bottom of the sample box cavity, ensuring stability and non-slip when applying force.

2. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing sheet (2) is made of a material with low induced radioactivity and a hardness lower than that of the sample box, such as pure aluminum.

3. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample box is sealed in a metal or rubber manner. When metal sealing is adopted, the metal material is a metal material with a low gas outflow rate. The annular blade structure (42) of the bottom (4) of the knife cavity is structurally inclined at 60°-80°.

4. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample boxes can be connected to each other to facilitate the adjustment of sample boxes, reduction and increase.

5. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample box material has a Rockwell hardness of ≥70HRA and is made of low induced radioactivity material.

6. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roughness of the sealing surface of the sample box is ≤3.2 microns.

7. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a hot chamber and an operating room, which are isolated by a shielding wall. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling are arranged in the hot chamber, and the remote control system is arranged in the operating room.

8. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample box disassembly and assembly tool is operated by a master-slave manipulator.

9. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The threaded boss (11) of the sample cover (1) is connected end to end with the bottom of the cavity (4), facilitating remote operation of adding and subtracting sample boxes.

10. The neutron irradiation sample box and its disassembly and assembly tooling convenient for remote operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting base (5a) fixes the entire disassembly and assembly tool and places the sample box to be disassembled at a designated position. The arched positioning block (12a) precisely matches the shape of the sample box cavity bottom, ensuring stability and non-slip when applying force.

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