Fuel element counting device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fuel element counting device, which is used to record the number of fuel balls passing through a tube body. The fuel element technical device comprises a first base, a second base, a counting assembly and a conductive member. The first base and the second base are both connected to the tube body, and the first base and the second base are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body. At least part of the first base is located in the tube body, and at least part of the second base is located in the tube body. The first end of the counting assembly is connected to the first base, and the second end of the counting assembly is connected to the second base. The conductive member is connected to the tube body. When the fuel ball enters the tube body and moves along the axial direction of the tube body, the fuel ball drives the conductive member to switch between the passage position and the disconnection position. The fuel element counting device of the present invention adopts a mechanical counting principle, is not restricted by the on-site environment, and the radiation field of the fuel ball, the high-temperature and high-pressure helium environment, and the dust carried by the helium will not affect the counting reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of high temperature gas-cooled reactors, and in particular to a fuel element counting device. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, the fuel element counting device of the high temperature gas-cooled reactor adopts the eddy current principle. When the fuel element passes through, it disturbs the electromagnetic field of the sensor. One disturbance indicates that a spherical fuel element has passed through, so the fuel elements are counted. However, due to the complex on-site environmental conditions, the radiation field of the fission material of the fuel element, high temperature and high pressure helium, and dust affect the counting accuracy and reliability, and often miss the count, which brings many problems to the on-site operation. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve one of the technical problems in the related art to at least a certain extent. To this end, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel element counting device, which adopts a mechanical counting principle and is not restricted by the on-site environment. The radiation field of the fuel ball, the high-temperature and high-pressure helium environment, and the dust carried by the helium will not affect the counting reliability.

[0004] The fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention is used to record the number of fuel balls passing through a tube body. The fuel element technical device includes a first base, a second base, a counting assembly and a conductive member. The first base and the second base are both connected to the tube body, and the first base and the second base are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body. At least a portion of the first base is located in the tube body, and at least a portion of the second base is located in the tube body. The first end of the counting assembly is connected to the first base, and the second end of the counting assembly is connected to the second base. The conductive member is connected to the tube body. When the fuel ball enters the tube body and moves along the axial direction of the tube body, the fuel ball drives the conductive member to switch between a passage position and a disconnection position. In the passage position, the fuel ball contacts the conductive member and pushes the conductive member toward the first base and / or the second base, so that the conductive member is electrically connected to both ends of the counting assembly respectively. In the disconnection position, the fuel ball is separated from the conductive member, and the conductive member is reset and separated from the counting assembly.

[0005] The fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a counting assembly and a conductive member. When the fuel ball passes through the tube body, the fuel ball squeezes the conductive member to turn on the counting assembly and trigger counting. The mechanical counting principle is adopted and it is not restricted by the on-site environment. The radiation field of the fuel ball, the high-temperature and high-pressure helium environment, and the dust carried by the helium will not affect the counting reliability.

[0006] In some embodiments, the counting component includes a power supply, a cable and a counter, the power supply and the counter are connected in series to the cable, the first end of the cable is connected to the first base, the second end of the cable is connected to the second base, in the passage position, the conductive member is electrically connected to the two ends of the cable respectively, and in the disconnection position, the conductive member is separated from at least one end of the cable.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first end of the conductive member is connected to the first base and electrically connected to the first end of the counting component, and the second end of the conductive member extends toward the second base and is located below the second base. After the fuel ball enters the tube body, the fuel ball pushes the conductive member upward, causing the second end of the conductive member to move upward and electrically connected to the second end of the counting component.

[0008] In some embodiments, the conductive member includes a straight portion and a bent portion, the first end of the straight portion is connected to the first base and electrically connected to the first end of the counting component, the second end of the straight portion extends toward the second base, the first end of the bent portion is connected to the second end of the straight portion, the second end of the bent portion extends toward the second base, and the angle between the bent portion and the straight portion is an obtuse angle; or the conductive member is arched, and both ends of the conductive member are higher than the middle part.

[0009] In some embodiments, the conductive element is a spring.

[0010] In some embodiments, a slide groove is provided on the first base, the length of the slide groove extends along the radial direction of the tube body, at least a part of the conductive member is located in the slide groove, and the conductive member can swing on the first base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the conductive member includes an insulating shell and a conductive core, a portion of the conductive core is exposed outside the insulating shell, and another portion of the conductive core is located inside the insulating shell. The first end of the conductive core is electrically connected to the first end of the counting component. When the fuel ball enters the tube body and squeezes the conductive member, the portion of the conductive core exposed outside the insulating shell is connected to the second end of the counting component, so that the counting component forms a closed loop.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fuel element counting device further comprises two flanges, wherein one flange is connected to one end of the tube body, and the other flange is connected to the other end of the tube body, and the tube body is connected to an external pipeline via the two flanges.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fuel element counting device further comprises two insulating members, wherein one of the insulating members is filled between the first base and the tube body, and the other of the insulating members is filled between the second base and the tube body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fuel element counting device also includes an elastic member, which is a conductor. The elastic member is connected to the second base and electrically connected to the second end of the counting assembly. When the conductive member is lifted up by the fuel ball, the conductive member is squeezed into contact with the elastic member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a fuel element counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a disconnected position.

[0016] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a fuel element counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a passage position.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a first base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional diagram of a conductive member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Reference numerals:

[0020] Tube body 100; fuel ball 200;

[0021] First base 1; slide 11;

[0022] Second base 2;

[0023] Counting component 3; power supply 31; cable 32; counter 33;

[0024] Conductive member 4; straight portion 41; bent portion 42; insulating shell 43; conductive core 44;

[0025] Flange 5;

[0026] Insulation 6;

[0027] Elastic member 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to be used to explain the present invention, but should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0029] The fuel element counting assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figure 1and Figure 2 As shown, the fuel element counting assembly 3 of the embodiment of the present invention is used to record the number of fuel balls 200 passing through the tube body 100. The fuel element counting assembly 3 includes a first base 1, a second base 2, a counting assembly 3 and a conductive member 4.

[0031] The first base 1 and the second base 2 are both connected to the tube body 100, and the first base 1 and the second base 2 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body 100, and at least a portion of the first base 1 (such as Figure 1 The lower part shown in FIG. 1 ) is located in the tube body 100, and at least a portion of the second base 2 (such as Figure 1 The lower part shown in FIG. 1 is located in the tube body 100, and the first end of the counting assembly 3 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The right end shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the first base 1, and the second end of the counting component 3 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The left end shown in the figure is connected to the second base 2, the conductive member 4 is connected to the tube body 100, and when the fuel ball 200 enters the tube body 100 and moves along the axial direction of the tube body 100, the fuel ball 200 drives the conductive member 4 to switch between the passage position and the disconnection position. In the passage position, the fuel ball 200 contacts the conductive member 4 and pushes the conductive member 4 toward the first base 1 and / or the second base 2, so that the conductive member 4 is electrically connected to the two ends of the counting component 3 respectively, and the conductive member 4 connects the two ends of the counting component 3 to form a closed loop of the counting component 3, and the counting component 3 performs a count. In the disconnection position, the fuel ball 200 is separated from the conductive member 4, the conductive member 4 is reset and separated from the counting component 3, and the two ends of the counting component 3 are disconnected.

[0032] The fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a counting assembly 3 and a conductive member 4. When the fuel ball 200 passes through the tube body 100, the fuel ball 200 squeezes the conductive member 4 to turn on the counting assembly 3 and trigger counting. The mechanical counting principle is adopted and it is not restricted by the on-site environment. The radiation field of the fuel ball 200, the high-temperature and high-pressure helium environment, and the dust carried by the helium will not affect the counting reliability.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, further, the counting component 3 includes a power supply 31, a cable 31 and a counter 33. The power supply 31 and the counter 33 are both arranged outside the tube body 100. The power supply 31 and the counter 33 are connected in series to the cable 31, that is, the cable 31 connects the power supply 31 and the counter 33 in series. The first end of the cable 31 is connected to the first base 1, and the second end of the cable 31 is connected to the second base 2. In the passage position, the conductive member 4 is electrically connected to the two ends of the cable 31 respectively, and the power supply 31, the conductive member 4 and the counter 33 are connected through the cable 31 to form a closed loop. At this time, there is current on the cable 31, and the counter 33 counts once. In the disconnection position, the conductive member 4 is separated from at least one end of the cable 31, and the cable 31 is disconnected. At this time, there is no current on the cable 31.

[0034] Optionally, in the disconnected position, the first end of the conductive member 4 is connected to the first end of the cable 31 , and the second end of the conductive member 4 is separated from the second end of the cable 31 , so that the cable 31 is disconnected, and no current flows in the cable 31 at this time.

[0035] Optionally, in the disconnected position, the first end of the conductive member 4 is connected to the second end of the cable 31 , and the second end of the conductive member 4 is separated from the first end of the cable 31 , so that the cable 31 is disconnected, and no current flows in the cable 31 at this time.

[0036] Optionally, in the disconnection position, both ends of the conductive member 4 are separated from the cable 31 to disconnect the cable 31 , and at this time, there is no current on the cable 31 .

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the first end of the conductive member 4 (eg Figure 1 The right end shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the first base 1 and electrically connected to the first end of the counting component 3. The second end of the conductive member 4 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The fuel ball 200 (the left end shown in the figure) extends toward the second base 2 and is located below the second base 2. After the fuel ball 200 enters the tube body 100, the fuel ball 200 pushes the conductive member 4 upward, so that the second end of the conductive member 4 moves upward and is electrically connected to the second end of the counting assembly 3. After the fuel ball 200 is separated from the conductive member 4, the conductive member 4 is reset and separated from the second end of the counting assembly 3.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, specifically, the first base 1 and the second base 2 are both connected to the uppermost end of the tube body 100, the right end of the conductive member 4 is connected to the first base 1 and electrically connected to the right end of the counting assembly 3, the left end of the conductive member 4 extends toward the second base 2 and is located below the second base 2, the conductive member 4 is tilted downward in the direction from its right end to its left end, the fuel ball 200 enters the tube body 100 from right to left and contacts the left end of the conductive member 4, then the fuel ball 200 continues to move to the left, and the conductive member 4 is moved under the action of the fuel ball 200. The second end of the conductive member 4 is deformed, so that the second end of the conductive member 4 swings upward until it contacts the second base 2. At this time, the conductive member 4 is in the passage position, and the conductive member 4 is electrically connected to the two ends of the counting component 3 respectively, so that the counting component 3 forms a closed passage, and the counting component 3 performs a count. Then the fuel ball 200 continues to move to the left until it is separated from the conductive member 4. The conductive member 4 is reset under the action of its own rebound force and gravity. At this time, the conductive member 4 is in the disconnection position, the left end of the conductive member 4 is separated from the left end of the counting component 3, and the counting component 3 is disconnected.

[0039] Therefore, in these embodiments, the fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention ensures that when the fuel ball 200 passes through the tube body 100 and contacts the conductive member 4, the conductive member 4 is electrically connected to the two ends of the counting assembly 3 respectively by keeping the first end of the conductive member 4 electrically connected to the counting assembly 3 and separating the second end of the conductive member 4 from the counting assembly 3.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the conductive member 4 includes a straight portion 41 and a bent portion 42, and the first end of the straight portion 41 (eg Figure 1 The right end shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the first base 1 and connected to the first end of the counting component 3 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The second end of the straight portion 41 (as shown in Figure 1 The left end shown in FIG. 4 ) extends toward the second base 2, and the first end of the bent portion 42 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 ) and the second end of the straight portion 41 (as shown in Figure 1 The left end shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the second end of the bent portion 42 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The left end (shown in FIG. 1 ) extends toward the second base 2 and is located below the second base 2, and the angle between the bent portion 42 and the straight portion 41 is an obtuse angle.

[0041] In some other embodiments, the conductive member 4 is arched, and both ends of the conductive member 4 are higher than the middle thereof.

[0042] Therefore, in these embodiments, the fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention prevents the conductive member 4 from interfering with the movement of the fuel ball 200 and causing jamming after the fuel ball 200 enters the tube body 100 by configuring the conductive member 4 to have an arched or bent structure.

[0043] Optionally, the conductive member 4 is a spring, and the fuel ball 200 contacts the conductive member 4 and pushes the second end of the conductive member 4 to move toward the second base 2 until the second end of the conductive member 4 contacts the second base 2. The conductive member 4 undergoes elastic deformation and stores elastic potential energy. After the fuel ball 200 is separated from the conductive member 4, the conductive member 4 is reset under the action of its own elastic force, so that the second end of the conductive member 4 is separated from the second base 2.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, optionally, a slide groove 11 is provided on the first base 1, and the length of the slide groove 11 extends along the radial direction of the tube body 100. At least part of the conductive member 4 is located in the slide groove 11, and the conductive member 4 can swing on the first base 1. The fuel ball 200 contacts the conductive member 4 and pushes the second end of the conductive member 4 to move toward the second base 2 until the second end of the conductive member 4 contacts the second base 2. The part of the conductive member 4 located in the slide groove 11 moves along the length direction of the slide groove 11 and stores gravitational potential energy. After the fuel ball 200 is separated from the conductive member 4, the conductive member 4 is reset under the action of its own gravity, so that the second end of the conductive member 4 is separated from the second base 2.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the conductive member 4 includes an insulating shell 43 and a conductive core 44, a portion of the conductive core 44 is exposed outside the insulating shell 43, and another portion of the conductive core 44 is located inside the insulating shell 43. The first end of the conductive core 44 is electrically connected to the first end of the counting component 3. When the fuel ball 200 enters the tube body 100 and squeezes the conductive member 4, the portion of the conductive core 44 exposed outside the insulating shell 43 is connected to the second end of the counting component 3, so that the counting component 3 forms a closed loop.

[0046] Therefore, in these embodiments, the conductive member 4 of the embodiment of the present invention reduces the friction between the fuel element and the conductive core 44 by covering the insulating shell 43 on the conductive core 44, and reduces the influence of dust on the conductive core 44, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the fuel element counting device.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the fuel element counting device further comprises two flanges 5, one of which is connected to one end of the tube body 100 (such as Figure 1 The other flange 5 is connected to the other end of the pipe body 100 (as shown in the left end). Figure 1 The right end of the tube 100 is shown in the figure, and the tube body 100 is connected to the external pipeline through two flanges 5. Therefore, the fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with two flanges 5. When the fuel element counting device fails, the two flanges 5 can be disassembled to complete the overall disassembly of the fuel element counting device, which is convenient for maintenance and replacement of the fuel element counting device.

[0048] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the fuel element counting device further comprises two insulating members 6, wherein one insulating member 6 is filled between the first base 1 and the tube body 100, and the other insulating member 6 is filled between the second base 2 and the tube body 100. Thus, the fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention, through the provision of the insulating member 6, on the one hand, avoids the first base 1 and the second base 2 from contacting with the pipeline to cause leakage, and on the other hand, seals the gap of the pipeline to avoid gas leakage in the pipeline.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the fuel element counting device also includes an elastic member 7, which is a conductor. The elastic member 7 is connected to the second base 2 and is electrically connected to the second end of the counting assembly 3. When the conductive member 4 is lifted up by the fuel ball 200, the conductive member 4 is squeezed into contact with the elastic member 7.

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, specifically, the elastic member 7 is a spring sheet, the left end of the elastic member 7 is connected to the second base 2 , and the right end of the elastic member 7 extends toward the first base 1 and is located on the right side of the second base 2 .

[0051] Therefore, in these embodiments, the fuel element counting device of the embodiment of the present invention avoids the conductive member 4 or the second base 2 being damaged by excessive squeezing force when the conductive member 4 contacts the second base 2 by disposing the elastic member 7 .

[0052] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0053] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0054] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0055] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0056] In the present invention, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0057] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. Changes, modifications, substitutions and variations of the above embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel element counting device for recording the number of fuel balls passing through a tube, characterized in that: include: A first base and a second base, wherein the first base and the second base are both connected to the tube body, and the first base and the second base are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body, at least a portion of the first base is located in the tube body, and at least a portion of the second base is located in the tube body; A counting component, the counting component comprising a power supply, a cable and a counter, the power supply and the counter are connected in series to the cable, a first end of the cable is connected to the first base, and a second end of the cable is connected to the second base; A conductive member, wherein the conductive member is connected to the tube body. When the fuel ball enters the tube body and moves along the axial direction of the tube body, the fuel ball drives the conductive member to switch between a passage position and a disconnection position. In the passage position, the fuel ball contacts the conductive member and pushes the conductive member toward the first base and / or the second base, so that the conductive member is electrically connected to the two ends of the counting component respectively. In the disconnection position, the fuel ball is separated from the conductive member, and the conductive member is reset and separated from the counting component. In the passage position, the conductive member is electrically connected to the two ends of the cable respectively. In the disconnection position, the conductive member is separated from at least one end of the cable.

2. The fuel element counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first end of the conductive member is connected to the first base and electrically connected to the first end of the counting assembly, and the second end of the conductive member extends toward the second base and is located below the second base. After the fuel ball enters the tube body, the fuel ball pushes the conductive member upward, causing the second end of the conductive member to move upward and be electrically connected to the second end of the counting assembly.

3. The fuel element counting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductive member comprises a straight portion and a bent portion, wherein a first end of the straight portion is connected to the first base and electrically connected to a first end of the counting assembly, a second end of the straight portion extends toward the second base, a first end of the bent portion is connected to a second end of the straight portion, and a second end of the bent portion extends toward the second base, and an angle between the bent portion and the straight portion is an obtuse angle; Alternatively, the conductive member is in an arch shape, and both ends of the conductive member are higher than the middle portion thereof.

4. The fuel element counting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conductive member is a spring.

5. The fuel element counting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first base is provided with a slide groove, the length of which extends along the radial direction of the tube body, at least a part of the conductive member is located in the slide groove, and the conductive member can swing on the first base.

6. The fuel element counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive member includes an insulating shell and a conductive core, a portion of the conductive core is exposed outside the insulating shell, and another portion of the conductive core is located inside the insulating shell. A first end of the conductive core is electrically connected to a first end of the counting component. When the fuel ball enters the tube body and squeezes the conductive member, the portion of the conductive core exposed outside the insulating shell is connected to the second end of the counting component, so that the counting component forms a closed loop.

7. The fuel element counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes two flanges, one of which is connected to one end of the pipe body, and the other flange is connected to the other end of the pipe body, and the pipe body is connected to external pipelines through the two flanges.

8. The fuel element counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes two insulating members, one of which is filled between the first base and the tube body, and the other of which is filled between the second base and the tube body.

9. The fuel element counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an elastic member, which is a conductor. The elastic member is connected to the second base and electrically connected to the second end of the counting assembly. When the conductive member is lifted up by the fuel ball, the conductive member is in compression contact with the elastic member.

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