Instrumented Steam Generator Anti-Vibration Bar

Abstract

A steam generator anti-vibration bar (AVB) that extends across multiple rows of tubes and contains a string of sensors is disclosed and claimed. The instrumented anti-vibration bar includes a housing and cover that cooperate to enclose the sensors. The sensors capture data resulting from the fluid flow passing through the steam generator during plant operation. Exemplary sensors that may include: strain gauges to measure loads imposed on the AVBs by the tubes; temperature sensors to sample thermal-hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle; pressure and flow detectors to sample hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle; inductive coils to measure in-plane and out-of-plane motion; and accelerometers to measure AVB motions imposed by surrounding tubes. The captured data is transmitted out of the steam generator in known fashion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 858,844 filed on Jul. 26, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a mechanism for supporting the tubes of a steam generator to prevent vibration, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to steam generator anti-vibration bars housing instrumentation to provide on-line condition monitoring of a series of individual steam generator tubes, and conditions between those tubes, without negatively impacting primary or secondary side steam generator conditions.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]While the present invention may be used in a variety of industries, the environment of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant will be discussed herein for illustrative purposes. There are two major systems utiliz...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a steam generator anti-vibration bar that contains sensors to capture data on tube condition and secondary side environment conditions during plant operation. The collected data is transmitted out of the steam generator for processing and display on an online monitoring system, or recording for future analysis. The invention is applicable to any steam generator with anti-vibration bars. The technical effect is the ability to detect fluid-elastic instability induced in-plane tube motion and the thermal hydraulic conditions that contribute to it.

Problems solved by technology

The typical heat exchanger, steam generators in the nuclear industry in particular, are susceptible to vibration-induced wear between the tubing and internal portions of the heat exchanger tube supports.

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