A mechanical turning device and method for a nuclear fuel assembly container

Abstract

This invention provides a mechanical overturning device and method for nuclear fuel assembly containers, comprising: a base, a lower connecting seat, an upper support rod, and a lower support rod. Two spaced-apart columns are provided at one end of the upper surface of the base, and the columns are hinged to the side of the lower connecting seat. One end of the upper support rod is hinged to the end of the lower connecting seat, the other end of the upper support rod is hinged to one end of the lower support rod, and the other end of the lower support rod is hinged to the base. A limiting member is provided at the hinge point between the upper and lower support rods. The lower connecting seat is used to install the assembly container. By lifting the end of the assembly container, the lower connecting seat overturns around the columns, and the limiting member between the upper and lower support rods fixes the overturned position. The device is compact and occupies little space. By pulling the lifting lugs on the overturning device, the fuel assembly transport container can be reliably switched between a horizontal and vertical state, and a stable and reliable fixation is provided for the transport container during loading and unloading of fuel assemblies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of nuclear fuel delivery technology, specifically relating to a mechanical overturning device and method for nuclear fuel assembly containers. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are merely background information related to the present invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Most nuclear power plants use elongated fuel assemblies, which are relatively fragile. When moving them individually, they can only be lifted by the top in a vertical position. However, for long-distance transport, due to vehicle and road limitations, they must be placed in specialized fuel assembly transport containers and transported horizontally. Empty fuel assembly transport containers are also stored horizontally. Therefore, before loading and unloading fuel assemblies into and from the transport container, the container must first be flipped from a horizontal position to a near-vertical position, and then flipped back to a horizontal position after the loading and unloading operations are completed.

[0004] There are two main types of existing fuel assembly transport container tipping devices. One type is fixed to the ground and has a rotating shaft connected to one end of the transport container. A crane lifts the other end of the container to a vertical position, where a support rod is installed to support it. This device is very inconvenient to operate, poses safety hazards, and requires the device to be fixed to the factory floor, placing certain requirements on ground conditions. The other type is a hydraulic tipping device, which uses hydraulic cylinders to lift the transport container. This type of equipment is complex, has low reliability, frequently malfunctions, and is difficult to maintain.

[0005] Therefore, there are currently issues such as how to provide stable and reliable fixation for transport containers during loading and unloading of fuel assemblies, with low ground requirements, suitable for complex terrain, ensuring the stability of the device without fixed connection to the ground, and facilitating personnel to inspect and operate the fuel assemblies while they are in a vertical position, thus preventing the device from tipping over. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to some embodiments, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mechanical overturning device for a nuclear fuel assembly container, comprising: a base, a lower connecting seat, an upper support rod and a lower support rod, wherein two spaced columns are provided at one end of the upper surface of the base, and the columns are hinged to the side of the lower connecting seat;

[0008] One end of the upper support rod is hinged to the end of the lower connecting seat, the other end of the upper support rod is hinged to one end of the lower support rod, and the other end of the lower support rod is hinged to the base. A limiting member is provided at the hinge point between the upper support rod and the lower support rod. The lower connecting seat is used to install the component container. By lifting the end of the component container, the lower connecting seat rotates around the column. The limiting member between the upper support rod and the lower support rod fixes the rotated position.

[0009] Furthermore, the nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical overturning device also includes an upper connecting seat, one end of which is provided with a lifting lug, and the upper connecting seat has a second locking clip, which is used to fix the end of the nuclear fuel assembly container. By lifting the upper connecting seat, the fixed nuclear fuel assembly container is overturned around the column.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper surface of the lower connecting seat is provided with a plurality of first locking clips, which are used to fix the fuel assembly transport container.

[0011] Furthermore, the lower connecting seat is provided with a guide post, which is installed on the inner side of the lower connecting seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the top of the column is provided with a mounting hole, and the upper surface of the lower connecting seat is provided with a flip shaft support at a set distance from the left end face. The top of the flip shaft support is provided with a connecting hole, and a joint bearing and a flip shaft are provided in the connecting hole. The flip shaft is installed in the mounting hole of the column.

[0013] Furthermore, the flip shaft support has a triangular structure with reinforcing ribs on the inner side of the triangular structure.

[0014] Furthermore, several hanging plates are provided on the four sides of the base, so that the base can be lifted and transported when the flipping device needs to be moved.

[0015] Furthermore, a first groove is provided on the base in the area between the two columns. The first groove extends through the side of the base. The purpose of the first groove is to provide space for the lower connecting seat to rotate, so as to ensure that the center of gravity is always in the set area during the rotation process.

[0016] Furthermore, the base has a second groove at its center, which is used to install a counterweight.

[0017] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for operating a mechanical flipping device for nuclear fuel assembly containers, comprising:

[0018] The transport container is placed horizontally on the lower connecting seat and secured with the first locking clip. The right end of the transport container is placed on the upper connecting seat and secured with the second locking clip.

[0019] When it is necessary to flip the container, connect the lifting lug of the upper connecting seat to the crane's wire rope, and pull the wire rope to lift the right end of the transport container and flip it.

[0020] When the right end of the upper connecting seat is raised to the top, the upper support rod and the lower support rod are aligned in a straight line and locked by a limiting device, so that the transport container is in a vertical position.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] 1. This invention provides a mechanical overturning device for nuclear fuel assembly containers, comprising: a base, a lower connecting seat, an upper support rod, and a lower support rod. By connecting the right ends of the base and the lower connecting seat to the lower support rod and the upper support rod respectively, a four-bar linkage mechanism is formed. The mechanism adopts the motion principle of a four-bar linkage, is simple, and operates reliably. The lower connecting seat rotates around the column, and the position after rotation is fixed by the limiting component between the upper and lower support rods. The transport container is connected to the overturning device through the connecting seat. Only minor modifications to the structure of the connecting seat are needed to adapt to various types of fuel assembly transport containers. The device is compact and occupies little space.

[0023] 2. The present invention adopts a lifting lug at one end of the upper connecting seat. The factory crane can reliably switch the fuel assembly transport container between the horizontal and vertical states by pulling the lifting lug on the tilting device. It also provides stable and reliable fixation for the transport container when loading and unloading fuel assemblies, and facilitates personnel to inspect and operate the fuel assembly in the vertical state.

[0024] 3. During the flipping process, when the right end of the upper connecting seat is raised to its highest point, the transport container flips approximately 90°. The upper and lower support rods align in a straight line and are locked in place by limiting components, fixing the transport container in a vertical position. The four-bar linkage effectively prevents the connecting seat from rotating more than 90°. At this time, the upper surface of the transport container faces the left side of the flipping device, facilitating loading and unloading operations. Throughout the flipping process, the projection of the transport container's center of gravity onto the ground remains within the base area, preventing the entire device from tipping over. Therefore, it does not require a fixed connection to the ground, and a 3-ton counterweight is placed inside the base to ensure the stability of the device.

[0025] 4. The base of this invention is equipped with four hanging plates, which can be easily hoisted when the flipping device needs to be moved, without needing to be fixed to the ground, making it convenient for installation and movement.

[0026] Advantages of additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a mechanical tilting device for a fuel assembly container when the connecting seat is in a horizontal position;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the mechanical tilting device for the fuel assembly container when the connecting seat is in a vertical position;

[0031] The components include: 1. Column; 2. Base; 3. Locking clamp; 4. Connecting column; 5. Connecting plate; 6. Lower support rod; 7. Upper support rod; 8. Limiting component; 9. Upper connecting seat; 10. Lifting lug; 11. Lifting plate; 12. Lower connecting seat; 13. Counterweight; 14. Guide column; 15. Tilting shaft support; 16. Tilting shaft; 17. Joint bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0034] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0035] Example 1:

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a mechanical overturning device for a nuclear fuel assembly container, including: a base, one end of the upper surface of the base is provided with two spaced columns, a lower connecting seat is installed between the two columns, and the top of the side of the columns is provided with mounting holes. The overturning mechanism is hinged to the columns through the mounting holes.

[0037] The nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical tilting device includes a lower connecting seat, a tilting shaft support, a locking clamp, a connecting column, an upper support rod, a lower support rod, and a connecting plate. The tilting shaft support is located at a set distance from the left end face on the upper surface of the lower connecting seat. The set distance is one-fifth of the length of the entire lower connecting seat. The tilting shaft support has a triangular structure with reinforcing ribs on the inner side of the triangular structure. The bottom edge of the triangular structure is welded to the lower connecting seat. The top of the triangular structure has a connecting hole, in which a spherical bearing and a tilting shaft are installed. The tilting shaft is installed in the mounting hole of the column, allowing the lower connecting seat to rotate 90 degrees around the column.

[0038] The nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical overturning device also includes an upper connecting seat. One end of the upper connecting seat is provided with a lifting lug. The upper connecting seat has a second locking clip mounting hole. The upper connecting seat fixes the fuel assembly transport container to the upper connecting seat through the second locking clip. The lifting lug is used to connect a hoisting wire rope. The vehicle drives the wire rope to lift the right end lifting lug of the upper connecting seat, causing the transport container to overturn.

[0039] The upper surface of the lower connecting seat is provided with several first locking clips, which are used to fix the fuel assembly transport container.

[0040] The lower connecting seat is provided with a guide post, which is installed on the inner side of the lower connecting seat and is used to guide the fuel assembly transport container.

[0041] The lower connecting seat has an upper support rod at its right end. The lower connecting seat is hinged to the upper support rod via a connecting column. One end of the upper support rod is hinged to the lower supporting seat via the connecting column, and the other end is hinged to one end of the lower support rod. The other end of the lower support rod is hinged to the connecting plate of the base. A limiting member is also provided at a set distance from the hinge point of the upper and lower support rods. The limiting member is a spring pin, which can be used to fix the positions of the upper and lower support rods.

[0042] Two columns are mounted on the left end of the base, with a tilting shaft at the top of each column. This shaft connects to the tilting shaft support on the lower connecting seat via a spherical bearing. The lower connecting seat can rotate along the tilting shaft, with a rotation angle between 0° and 90°. The right ends of the base and the lower connecting seat are connected to the lower support rod and the upper support rod, respectively, forming a four-bar linkage. A lifting lug is located on the right side of the upper connecting seat, connected to a wire rope to enable the tilting of the transport container.

[0043] The base has a first groove in the area between the two columns. The first groove extends through the side of the base. The purpose of the first groove is to provide space for the lower connecting seat to rotate, so as to ensure that the center of gravity is always in the set area during the rotation process and to avoid tipping over. When the lower connecting seat is in a vertical state, it is located in the first groove of the base.

[0044] The base has a second groove at its center for mounting a counterweight. The counterweight has a set weight, preferably 3 tons. Throughout the entire tilting process, the center of gravity of the transport container remains within the base's range, preventing the entire device from tipping over; therefore, it does not require fixed connection to the ground. Furthermore, the 3-ton counterweight within the base ensures the stability of the device.

[0045] The base has four hanging plates on its four sides, which can be used for easy lifting when the flipping device needs to be moved.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention is mainly used for flipping fuel assembly transport containers, providing conditions for loading and unloading fuel assemblies into and out of the transport container. In use, locking clips are used to fix the transport container to the lower and upper connecting seats respectively. A crane drives a wire rope to lift the right-hand lug of the upper connecting seat, causing the transport container to flip.

[0047] The base, columns, upper connecting seat, and lower connecting seat are all hollow steel structures, assembled from shaped steel and steel plates.

[0048] The four locking clips on the lower and upper connecting seats consist of an L-shaped plate and a bolt. Before flipping, place the base of the transport container in the corresponding position on the lower and upper connecting seats, then place the L-shaped plate on the base of the transport container, and then use the bolt to press the L-shaped plate tightly, thereby firmly pressing the transport container onto the lower and upper connecting seats.

[0049] A lifting lug is installed on the right end of the upper connecting seat. The wire rope is looped on the lifting lug, and the factory crane pulls the wire rope to realize the flipping operation of the transport container.

[0050] The lower support rod is connected to the base connecting plate, and the upper support rod is connected to the lower connecting seat connecting column. When the lower connecting seat and the upper connecting seat are in a vertical state, the lower support rod and the upper support rod are in a straight line. Then, the position is locked by the limiting component to ensure that the transport container is in a vertical state.

[0051] Four suspension platforms are located around the base. To move the tilting device, simply hook the four platforms with a lifting device to lift it. Once in place, it does not need to be fixed to the ground before use. A groove is provided on the base for mounting a counterweight to ensure the stability of the device.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] This embodiment provides a method for operating a mechanical overturning device for nuclear fuel assembly containers, including:

[0054] The transport container is placed horizontally on the lower connecting seat and secured with the first locking clip. The right end of the transport container is placed on the upper connecting seat and secured with the second locking clip.

[0055] When it is necessary to flip the container, connect the lifting lug of the upper connecting seat to the crane's wire rope, and pull the wire rope to lift the right end of the transport container and flip it.

[0056] When the right end of the upper connecting seat is raised to the top, the upper support rod and the lower support rod are aligned in a straight line and locked by a limiting device, so that the transport container is in a vertical position.

[0057] Specifically, before flipping, the transport container is placed horizontally on the lower and upper connecting seats. The lower connecting seat is equipped with guide posts for guiding the transport container during installation. Then, the four locking clips on the connecting seat reliably connect the transport container to the connecting seat. When the factory crane pulls the wire rope, the right end of the upper connecting seat is lifted, causing it to flip. The transport container flips along with the connecting seat, and its weight is borne by the lower connecting seat.

[0058] When the right end of the upper connecting seat is raised to its highest point, the transport container tilts approximately 90°, aligning the upper and lower support rods in a straight line, and is locked in place by a limiting device. The transport container is then fixed in a vertical position. The four-bar linkage effectively prevents the connecting seat from rotating more than 90°. At this point, the upper surface of the transport container faces the left side of the tilting device, facilitating loading and unloading operations.

[0059] The relative positions of the tilting shaft and the lower connecting seat are specially designed to ensure that the projection of the transport container's center of gravity onto the ground remains within the base area throughout the tilting process, preventing tipping and ensuring safety and stability during operation. Furthermore, the connecting seat is tilted to a vertical position with a minimal height, facilitating operation of the transport container and fuel assembly.

[0060] Although the above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art on the basis of the technical solution of the present invention without any creative work are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanical tipping device for a nuclear fuel assembly container, characterized in that, include: The base consists of a lower connecting seat, an upper support rod, and a lower support rod. Two spaced columns are provided at one end of the upper surface of the base, and the columns are hinged to the side of the lower connecting seat. One end of the upper support rod is hinged to the end of the lower connecting seat, the other end of the upper support rod is hinged to one end of the lower support rod, and the other end of the lower support rod is hinged to the base. A limiting member is provided at the hinge point between the upper and lower support rods. The lower connecting seat is used to install the component container. By lifting the end of the component container, the lower connecting seat rotates around the column. The limiting member between the upper and lower support rods fixes the rotated position. A guide post is provided on the lower connecting seat and is installed on the inner side of the lower connecting seat. The right ends of the base and the lower connecting seat are connected to the lower support rod and the upper support rod, respectively, forming a four-bar linkage. The upper surface of the lower connecting seat is provided with several first locking clips, which are used to fix the fuel assembly transport container; the top of the column is provided with a mounting hole, and the upper surface of the lower connecting seat is provided with a flip shaft support at a set distance from the left end face. The top of the flip shaft support is provided with a connecting hole, and a joint bearing and a flip shaft are installed in the connecting hole. The flip shaft is installed in the mounting hole of the column. The flip shaft support is a triangular structure, and the inner side of the triangular structure is provided with reinforcing ribs; the center of the base is provided with a second groove, which is used to install a counterweight. The nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical overturning device also includes an upper connecting seat, one end of which is provided with a lifting lug. The upper connecting seat has a second locking clip, which is used to fix the end of the nuclear fuel assembly container. By lifting the upper connecting seat, the fixed nuclear fuel assembly container is overturned around the column.

2. The nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical tipping device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base is equipped with several hanging plates on its four sides. When the flipping device needs to be moved, the base can be lifted and transported through the hanging plates.

3. The nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical tilting device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a first groove in the area between the two columns. The first groove extends through the side of the base. The purpose of the first groove is to provide space for the lower connecting seat to rotate, so as to ensure that the center of gravity is always in the set area during the rotation process.

4. A method for operating a nuclear fuel assembly container mechanical tilting device using any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, include: The transport container is placed horizontally on the lower connecting seat and secured with the first locking clip. The right end of the transport container is placed on the upper connecting seat and secured with the second locking clip. When it is necessary to flip the container, connect the lifting lug of the upper connecting seat to the crane's wire rope, and pull the wire rope to lift the right end of the transport container and flip it. When the right end of the upper connecting seat is raised to the top, the upper support rod and the lower support rod are aligned in a straight line and locked by a limiting device, so that the transport container is in a vertical position.

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