Cooling tube end cap for divertor plasma facing components and method of maintenance

Abstract

The application discloses a cooling pipe end cover of a divertor surface facing plasma component and a maintenance method, including two schemes, scheme one adopts screw connection, and scheme two adopts a socket structure, both of the two schemes reserve a welding cutting position, adopt an internal hexagonal hole for positioning, a groove or a thread can be arranged on the inner surface of the positioning hole, and the two schemes can be matched with a remote operation tool by using the structures thereof, so that the cutting and welding of the two cooling pipe end covers are realized, and the two schemes have the advantages of preventing falling, accurate positioning, strong machining feasibility and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of divertor technology for tokamak fusion devices, specifically to the cooling tube end caps of the divertor facing the plasma and a maintenance method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] As one of the core internal components of a magnetic confinement tokamak fusion device, the divertor's main function is to remove heat and ash to ensure the normal operation of the device. A single divertor module consists of an inner target plate, a dome, an outer target plate, and a housing. The housing serves as a supporting component, integrating the inner target plate, dome, and outer target plate. The inner target plate, dome, and outer target plate are also referred to as the plasma-facing components.

[0003] There are two main maintenance methods for divertors: integral and separate. The integral method involves removing the individual divertor model from the lower or middle window of the vacuum chamber for maintenance, while the separate method involves removing the plasma-facing component from the middle window of the vacuum chamber for maintenance. Comparing the two methods, the integral maintenance approach is wasteful because the inner and outer target plates of the plasma-facing component are most likely to fail first, while the casing itself is generally undamaged. Currently, the separate maintenance approach is more commonly used, as evidenced by published invention patents: CN2020112447133.0 and CN202110978711.6. Due to the characteristics of the plasma-facing component itself, the separate maintenance approach requires pipe cutting and dismantling of the connecting structures of the inner target plate, dome, and outer target plate. Internal cutting is preferable for pipe cutting, which requires a reliably sealed, firmly welded, and easily cut cooling pipe end cap. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the deficiencies of existing technologies, this invention provides a cooling tube end cap for a plasma-facing component of a divertor and a maintenance method therefor. The aim is to provide a plasma-facing cooling tube end cap that is easy to cut and weld, while meeting the aforementioned requirements. Two schemes are available: Scheme 1 uses a threaded connection, and Scheme 2 uses a socket structure. Both schemes have reserved welding and cutting positions and use internal hexagonal holes for positioning, offering advantages such as preventing falling off, accurate positioning, and strong processing feasibility.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution:

[0006] The present invention provides a cooling tube end cap for a divertor facing a plasma component, comprising a fixing block and an insert. The fixing block is fixedly connected to a transition support or its connection structure facing the plasma component. A cutting line is reserved on the insert. The insert is connected to the fixing block by threads and is circumferentially fixed to the fixing block by welding at the welding position.

[0007] Furthermore, the positioning hole one is arranged on the plug-in one, and has an internal hexagonal structure. The inner surface of the positioning hole one may be provided with grooves or threads to assist the remote operating tool in removing the plug-in one.

[0008] This invention provides a maintenance method for the cooling tube end cap of a divertor facing a plasma component. The method involves positioning a pair of remote operating tools through a positioning hole; after positioning, the remote operating tools are cut along a cutting line and the upper part of the cutting line is removed; the remote operating tools are inserted into the positioning hole and the lower half of the insert is rotated so that the lower half of the insert is unscrewed from the fixing block and removed. At this time, the cooling tube below the fixing block is internally cut.

[0009] Furthermore, during installation, insert one is directly screwed into fixing block one using the positioning hole. The upper parts of insert one and fixing block one can be appropriately extended to increase the number of cuts. Then, insert one and fixing block one are welded at the welding position.

[0010] The present invention also provides another cooling tube end cap for a divertor facing a plasma component, including a second fixing block and a second insert. The second fixing block is fixedly connected to a transition support or its connection structure facing the plasma component. The connection position between the second insert and the second fixing block is a welding or cutting position. The second insert has three protrusions I on its surface, and the inner wall of the second fixing block has three protrusions II. The protrusions I and II are evenly arranged in a circumferential direction, and the protrusions III are arranged in a circumferential direction.

[0011] The second positioning hole is arranged on the second plug-in and has an internal hexagonal structure. The groove on the second positioning hole can be replaced with a thread.

[0012] The present invention also provides a maintenance method for the cooling tube end cap of the divertor facing the plasma component. The method uses the positioning hole two to position the remote operating tool and cut along the welding or cutting position. The positioning hole two has a groove that cooperates with the remote operating tool. Rotation makes the protrusion one on the plug-in two align with the misalignment between the protrusion one and the protrusion two. The plug-in two is lifted and removed. At this time, the cooling tube at the lower part of the fixing block two is internally cut.

[0013] Furthermore, during installation, the protrusion 1 on the plug-in 2 is screwed into the space between protrusion 2 and protrusion 3 on the fixing block 2 using the positioning hole 2, and then welded at the welding or cutting position.

[0014] The advantages of this invention are:

[0015] This invention provides two types of plasma cooling tube end caps that are easy to cut and weld. Option 1 uses a threaded connection, while Option 2 uses a socket structure. Both options have reserved welding and cutting positions and use internal hexagonal holes for positioning, which have the advantages of preventing falling off, accurate positioning, and strong processing feasibility. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling tube end cap of the divertor facing the plasma component according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an isometric side view of two divertors facing the end cap of the plasma component cooling tube.

[0018] Explanation of the serial numbers in the attached diagram:

[0019] 1- Transition support or connection structure for plasma components; 2- Fixing block one; 3- Insert one; 4- Positioning hole one; 5- Cutting line one; 6- Welding position; 7- Fixing block two; 8- Insert two; 9- Groove; 10- Welding or cutting position; 11- Cooling pipe; 12- Positioning hole two; 13- Protrusion one; 14- Protrusion two; 15- Protrusion three. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0021] The single divertor of this invention consists of an inner target plate, a dome, an outer target plate, and a housing. The housing, as the main supporting component, integrates the inner target plate, dome, and outer target plate. These three components are referred to as plasma-facing parts, which are further composed of plasma-facing units and transition supports. Due to the characteristics of the plasma-facing parts themselves, when the inner target plate, dome, and outer target plate are maintained individually, the cooling pipes and their end caps need to be arranged on the transition supports.

[0022] The divertor of the present invention has two options for the cooling tube end cap of the plasma component.

[0023] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, Scheme 1 includes a fixing block 2 and a plug-in 3. The fixing block 2 is fixedly connected to the transition support or its connecting structure 1 facing the plasma component. The plug-in 3 has a pre-cutting line 5, and the plug-in 3 is connected to the fixing block 2 by threads, and is circumferentially fixed to the fixing block 2 by welding at the welding position 6.

[0024] During maintenance, the remote operating tool is positioned through the positioning hole 4; after positioning, it is cut along the cutting line 5 and the upper part of the cutting line 5 is removed; the remote operating tool is inserted into the positioning hole 4, and the lower half of the plug-in 3 is rotated so that the lower half of the plug-in 3 is unscrewed from the fixing block 2 and removed. At this time, the cooling pipe 11 at the bottom of the fixing block 2 can be internally cut.

[0025] During installation, insert 3 directly into fixing block 2 using positioning hole 4. The upper parts of insert 3 and fixing block 2 can be extended appropriately to increase the number of cuts.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, Scheme 2 includes a fixing block 2 7 and a plug-in 2 8. The fixing block 2 7 is fixedly connected to the transition support or its connecting structure 1 facing the plasma component. The connection position between the plug-in 2 8 and the fixing block 2 7 is a welding or cutting position 10. The plug-in 2 8 has three protrusions 13 on its surface, and the inner wall of the fixing block 2 7 has three protrusions 14. The protrusions 13 and 14 are evenly arranged circumferentially, and the protrusions 15 are arranged circumferentially.

[0027] During maintenance, the remote operating tool is positioned using the positioning hole 2 12, and cutting is performed along the welding or cutting position 10. The positioning hole 2 12 has a groove 9 that cooperates with the remote operating tool. Rotation is used to align the protrusion 13 on the plug-in 2 8 with the misalignment between the protrusion 13 and the protrusion 2 14. The plug-in 2 8 is then lifted and removed. At this time, the cooling pipe 11 at the bottom of the fixing block 2 7 can be internally cut.

[0028] During installation, use positioning hole 2 12 to screw protrusion 13 on plug 2 8 into the space between protrusion 2 14 and protrusion 3 15 on fixing block 2 7, and then weld at welding or cutting position 10.

[0029] The positioning hole 4 can be equipped with a groove 9 or a thread, as in the positioning hole 12, to assist the remote operating tool in removing the plug-in 2. At the same time, the groove 9 in the positioning hole 12 can also be replaced with other structures such as threads.

[0030] When arranging the divertor on the plasma component, either Option 1 or Option 2 can be selected for arrangement.

[0031] Although the illustrative specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above to enable those skilled in the art to understand the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes will be obvious as long as they are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined and determined by the appended claims, and all inventions utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

Claims

1. A cooling tube end cap for a divertor facing a plasma component, characterized in that: It includes a fixing block 1 and a plug-in 1. The fixing block 1 is fixedly connected to the transition support or its connection structure for the plasma-facing component. The plug-in 1 has a pre-cut line 1. The plug-in 1 is connected to the fixing block 1 by threads and is circumferentially fixed to the fixing block 1 by welding at the welding position. The plug-in has a positioning hole, which is an internal hexagonal structure. The inner surface of the positioning hole has grooves or threads to assist the remote operating tool in removing the plug-in.

2. A method for maintaining the cooling tube end cap of a divertor facing a plasma component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Position the remote operating tool through the positioning hole; after positioning the remote operating tool, cut along the cutting line one and remove the part above the cutting line one; insert the remote operating tool into the positioning hole one, rotate the lower half of the plug-in, and remove the lower half of the plug-in after it is unscrewed from the fixing block one. At this time, make an internal cut on the cooling pipe below the fixing block. During installation, insert the first plug directly into the first fixing block using the positioning hole. The upper parts of the first plug and the first fixing block are extended appropriately to increase the number of cuts. Then, the first plug and the first fixing block are welded at the welding position.

3. A cooling tube end cap for a divertor facing a plasma component, characterized in that: It includes a fixed block 2 and a plug-in 2. The fixed block 2 is fixedly connected to the transition support or its connection structure of the plasma-facing component. The connection position between the plug-in 2 and the fixed block 2 is a welding or cutting position. The plug-in 2 has three protrusions 1 on its surface and three protrusions 2 on the inner wall of the fixed block 2. The protrusions 1 and 2 are evenly arranged in a circumferential direction, and the protrusions 3 are arranged in a circumferential direction. The second plug-in has two positioning holes, which are internal hexagonal structures.

4. A method for maintaining the cooling tube end cap of a divertor facing a plasma component according to claim 3, characterized in that, Position the remote control tool using the second positioning hole, and cut along the welding or cutting position; the second positioning hole has a groove that cooperates with the remote control tool. Rotate it so that the first protrusion on the second plug-in is aligned with the misalignment between the first and second protrusions. Lift the second plug-in and remove it. At this time, make an internal cut on the cooling pipe at the bottom of the second fixing block. During installation, use positioning hole two to screw protrusion one on plug two into the space between protrusion two and protrusion three on fixing block two, and then weld at the welding or cutting position.

Images