Highly efficient detachable connection device and fuel assembly for nuclear energy system

Abstract

The invention discloses a highly efficient detachable connection device and a nuclear energy system fuel assembly, and relates to the field of nuclear reaction. The highly efficient detachable connection device comprises an upper tube seat, a connecting sleeve and a locking spring. The inner cavity of the upper tube seat is provided with an upper cavity, a connecting cavity, a lower cavity and a matching groove at the upper cavity. The inner cavity runs through the upper tube seat, and the locking spring makes the upper tube seat and the claw head fit closely with each other. The connecting sleeve comprises a coaxially connected sleeve handle, a limit plate and an elastic hook claw, and the elastic hook claw comprises a claw head, a claw body and a hook claw groove. The locking spring comprises an upper connecting end and a lower connecting end, the elastic hook claw extends into the upper tube seat, and the claw head protrusion of the elastic hook claw is embedded in the matching groove. The upper wall of the lower cavity abuts against the upper connecting end, and the limit plate abuts against the lower connecting end. The locking spring is used to be compressed under the action of an external force to make the elastic hook claw withdraw into the lower cavity. The highly efficient detachable connection device of the invention has the characteristics of convenient disassembly and assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of nuclear reactions, and in particular to a highly efficient detachable connecting device and a fuel assembly of a nuclear energy system. Background Art

[0002] A plurality of guide tube holes are arranged through the upper part of the fuel assembly of the nuclear energy system, and each guide tube hole needs to be connected to a corresponding guide tube.

[0003] At present, threaded connection and snap-on connection are commonly used on the market. Matching threaded or snap-on structures are designed on the guide tube and the upper tube seat. The guide tube is screwed into the upper tube seat by rotating, or inserted into the upper tube seat and locked by the snap-on, thereby establishing a connection between the upper tube seat and the guide tube. These connection methods make it difficult to disassemble and assemble the upper tube seat, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient detachable connecting device and a nuclear energy system fuel assembly, which have the characteristics of convenient disassembly and assembly.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application provides a high-efficiency detachable connection device, including an upper tube seat, a connecting sleeve, and a locking spring. The inner cavity of the upper tube seat is provided with an upper cavity, a connecting cavity, a lower cavity and a matching groove located at the upper cavity. The inner cavity runs through the upper tube seat, and the locking spring makes the upper tube seat and the claw head fit tightly with each other. The connecting sleeve includes a coaxially connected sleeve handle, a limit plate and an elastic hook claw, and the elastic hook claw includes a claw head, a claw body and a hook claw groove. The locking spring includes an upper connecting end and a lower connecting end. The elastic hook claw extends into the upper tube seat, and the claw head is embedded in the matching groove. The upper wall of the lower cavity abuts against the upper connecting end, and the limit plate abuts against the lower connecting end. The locking spring is used to be compressed under the action of an external force, and the elastic hook claw is withdrawn into the lower cavity by a disassembly tool.

[0006] Optionally, the interior of the connecting sleeve is a hollow structure.

[0007] Optionally, the elastic hook is in a "J" shape, and there are multiple elastic hooks, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity of the upper tube seat to form the hook groove.

[0008] Optionally, the claw head is curved, and the curve fits the matching groove. When the claw groove is used for removal and reinstallation, the elastic claw can produce radial deformation under the action of external force to drive the connecting sleeve to withdraw from the upper pipe seat.

[0009] Optionally, the limiting plate is the part where the outer diameter of the connecting sleeve is the largest, and the outer diameter of the limiting plate is equal to the inner diameter of the lower cavity.

[0010] Optionally, the upper cavity, the connecting cavity and the lower cavity are arranged in an "I" structure, the inner diameter of the upper cavity is larger than the inner diameter of the lower cavity, the inner diameter of the lower cavity is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting cavity and is equal to the outer diameter of the limiting disk, and the connecting cavity fits the claw body.

[0011] Optionally, the mating groove is an annular groove annularly recessed in the bottom wall of the upper cavity, and the annular groove is mated with the end of the claw head; the cross-sections of the annular groove and the claw head end are both arc-shaped.

[0012] Optionally, the upper connecting end and the lower connecting end are both flat surfaces, and after the connection is completed, the upper tube seat and the connecting sleeve fit tightly against each other, and the outer diameter of the locking spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower cavity.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a fuel assembly for a nuclear energy system, comprising the efficient detachable connection device described in one optional embodiment of the above-mentioned person.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the efficient detachable connection device and nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention include:

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the efficient detachable connection device for the nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention, in practical application, when it is necessary to disassemble the upper tube seat, the locking spring is pressed down in the direction of withdrawing the elastic sleeve, thereby releasing the lock between the elastic sleeve and the upper tube seat, and the hook claw is radially retracted by the disassembly tool. In this case, the upper tube seat can be lifted up to achieve the release of the matching recess and the matching protrusion, thereby detaching the upper tube seat. When it is necessary to install the upper tube seat, the locking spring in the connecting sleeve is also kept in a pressed state, so that the elastic sleeve can be smoothly extended into the upper tube seat. After that, the external force is withdrawn, and the locking spring provides a continuous outward expansion force, which abuts against the top of the lower cavity and the upper plane of the limit plate, so that the matching protrusion is tightly embedded in the matching recess, and the two are prevented from separating, thereby achieving effective locking of the connecting sleeve and the upper tube seat. Therefore, the efficient detachable connection device for the nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention has the characteristics of convenient disassembly and assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a highly efficient detachable connection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2A cross-sectional view of a highly efficient detachable connection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the middle upper tube seat;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the cooperation between the middle and upper pipe seat and the locking spring;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle connecting sleeve;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the locking spring.

[0023] Icons: 100 - high-efficiency detachable connecting device; 101 - connecting sleeve; 102 - limit plate; 103 - elastic hook; 1031 - claw head; 1032 - claw body; 1033 - hook groove; 200 - upper tube seat; 201 - matching groove; 202 - upper cavity; 203 - connecting cavity; 204 - lower cavity; 300 - locking spring; 301 - upper connecting end; 302 - lower connecting end. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0025] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", "left", "right", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are directions or positional relationships in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use, or are directions or positional relationships commonly understood by those skilled in the art. These directions or positional relationships are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms such as "setting" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Example

[0032] This embodiment provides a fuel assembly for a nuclear energy system, including a highly efficient detachable connection device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the efficient detachable connection device 100 provided in this embodiment. Figure 2The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the efficient detachable connection device 100. In this embodiment, the efficient detachable connection device 100 includes an upper tube seat 200, a connecting sleeve 101 and a locking spring 300. The locking spring 300 is arranged on the end surface of the lower cavity 204 of the connecting sleeve 101 and fits closely therewith. The upper tube seat 200 is respectively penetrated by an upper cavity 202, a connecting cavity 203 and a lower cavity 204 extending in the vertical direction. The connecting cavity 203 is used for the connecting sleeve 101 to extend into or withdraw from the upper tube seat 200. A downwardly recessed matching groove 201 is arranged on the lower connecting end 302 of the upper cavity 202. The connecting sleeve 101 is pushed into the lower cavity 204. The upper elastic hook 103 is compressed and deformed under pressure in the connecting cavity 203. The claw 1031 is pushed into the upper cavity 202 until it completely enters the upper cavity 202. The elastic hook 103 is released from pressure and recovers its deformation. After deformation, the claw head 1031 matches the matching groove 201, and the connecting sleeve 101 is pulled outward in the opposite direction, and the claw head 1031 is embedded and clamped in the matching groove 201. At this time, the limiting plate 102 of the connecting sleeve 101 presses against the locking spring 300 and fits tightly to generate tension to lock the upper tube seat 200.

[0033] In actual application, the axes of the connecting sleeve 101 and the lower cavity 204 are aligned, and then the connecting sleeve 101 is pushed into the lower cavity 204 until the claw head 1031 of the connecting sleeve 101 contacts the locking spring 300 .

[0034] After the claw head 1031 of the connecting sleeve 101 contacts the locking spring 300, the elastic hook 103 of the connecting sleeve 101 is deformed and radially compressed, and the locking spring 300 is deformed and vertically compressed at the same time. After that, the outer side of the claw head 1031 continues to contact the spring, and the connecting sleeve 101 further rises until the claw head 1031 contacts the wall of the connecting cavity 203. The connecting cavity 203 is smaller in radial size than the locking spring 300, and the elastic hook 103 is further compressed and deformed, and enters the upper cavity 202 through the connecting cavity 203. The volume of the upper cavity 202 is expanded, and the elastic hook 103 is relieved of pressure, and the expansion is realized. After the expansion, the shape of the claw head 1031 matches the matching groove 201, and the connecting sleeve 101 is pulled down, and the claw head 1031 is embedded in the clamping matching groove 201. At this time, the locking spring 300 remains in a compressed state to provide tension, that is, the upper tube seat 200 and the connecting sleeve 101 are locked.

[0035] When the upper tube seat 200 needs to be disassembled, the connecting sleeve 101 is pushed continuously until the claw head 1031 is separated from the matching groove 201. At this time, the claw head 1031 is relieved from pressure, recovers its deformation, and its radial dimension is still larger than the radial dimension of the connecting cavity 203. At this time, a disassembly tool is used to close the claw head 1031, and the outermost dimension of the elastic hook 103 after closing is no larger than the radial dimension of the connecting cavity 203. Pull down the connecting sleeve 101, and the elastic hook 103 of the connecting sleeve 101 will leave the upper cavity 202, the connecting cavity 203 and the lower cavity 204 in turn, so that the upper tube seat 200 can be easily disassembled.

[0036] Compared with the existing method of using threaded connectors to threadedly cooperate with the upper tube seat 200, this solution does not require rotation to a specific angle when disassembling and installing the upper tube seat 200. It only requires applying a vertical force to push the connecting sleeve 101 into the upper cavity 202 to achieve the embedded cooperation of the claw head 1031 and the matching groove 201. The disassembly and assembly process is convenient and quick.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the upper tube seat 200. Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram showing the combination of the upper tube seat 200 and the locking spring 300 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the inner cavity includes an upper cavity 202, a connecting cavity 203 and a lower cavity 204 which are coaxially arranged therethrough. The radial dimension of the outer periphery of the upper cavity 202 is larger than that of the connecting cavity 203 and is extended downward to form a matching groove 201.

[0039] In actual application, in order to achieve the fit between the claw head 1031 and the matching groove 201, the surface of the matching groove 201 has an arc, which is approximately the same as the arc of the surface of the elastic hook claw 103. When used in conjunction, the elastic hook claw 103 is compressed in the connecting cavity 203 and its shape is compressed; after being pushed into the upper cavity 202, the elastic hook claw 103 is released from the pressure, stretched and restored, and the shape and size of the claw head 1031 fits the matching groove 201 and is embedded and clamped. The connecting sleeve 101 is supported upward by the upper tube seat 200, and its downward displacement is limited. The upper part of the locking spring 300 is fixedly placed in contact with the upper edge of the lower cavity 204, and the lower end is a free end. When the connecting sleeve 101 is pushed into the upper tube seat 200 and the claw head 1031 enters the connecting cavity 203, the limit plate 102 synchronously compresses the locking spring 300. The claw head 1031 is embedded in the clamping matching groove 201, and the limit plate 102 is compressed accordingly, the locking spring 300 is fixed in position, and the connecting sleeve 101 is subjected to the downward tension of the locking spring 300, and the upward displacement is limited. After the claw head 1031 is embedded in the clamping matching groove 201, the upper tube seat 200 is locked.

[0040] It should be noted that the nominal radial dimension of the limit plate 102 is equal to the radial dimension of the lower cavity 204, and a clearance fit is adopted. The upper connecting end 301 is fixed to the end face of the lower cavity 204 as a fixed end, and the lower connecting end 302 of the locking spring 300 is a free end. After the upper tube seat 200 is locked, it fits tightly with the limit plate 102, and the lower connecting end 302 of the limit plate 102 is flush with the lower connecting end 302 of the upper tube seat 200, and the device is sealed.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a connecting sleeve 101 .

[0042] In order to achieve the locking and disassembly of the upper tube seat 200, the elastic hook 103 of the connecting sleeve 101 is embedded and clamped in the matching groove 201 of the upper tube seat 200. The claw head 1031 is in a "J" shape as a whole, with an arc on the outside. With the outer arc, the elastic hook 103 passes through the locking spring 300 and the connecting cavity 203 without getting stuck, and does not cause hooking and affect the work. The inner arc makes the claw head 1031 form a hook shape, which is embedded and clamped in the matching groove 201 with a similar shape. The matching groove 201 is in an arc shape, and the surface curvature matches the claw head 1031, which can accommodate the claw head 1031 to fully enter the matching groove 201, thereby achieving the locking of the upper tube seat 200.

[0043] In actual application, in order to effectively realize the elastic hook 103 passing through the connection cavity 203, eight elastic hooks 103 in a circumferential array form a ring-type parallel elastic hook 103. A single claw head 1031 is supported by a claw body 1032, and different claws are separated by claw grooves 1033, so that they do not interfere with each other when entering the connection cavity 203. The eight claw heads 1031 and the claw bodies 1032 are compressed respectively to pass through the connection cavity 203.

[0044] In order to prevent the connection sleeve 101 from being unable to pass through the upper pipe seat 200, the radial dimension of the limit plate 102 is equal to the radial dimension of the lower cavity 204, and a clearance fit is adopted. The claw head 1031 and the claw body 1032 are both elastic, and both undergo compression deformation when passing through the connection cavity 203 to ensure that they pass through the connection cavity 203. The limit plate 102 cannot be deformed and plays a role of limiting sealing.

[0045] In this embodiment, in order to effectively achieve locking and disassembly, the maximum outer diameter of the claw head 1031 of the connecting sleeve 101 is greater than the outer diameter of the connecting cavity 203 when no external force is applied. After the claw head 1031 enters the upper cavity 202, the force is released and the shape is restored. The shape matches the matching groove 201 to achieve embedded clamping.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a locking spring 300 .

[0047] The elastic member is a locking spring 300. The upper connecting end 301 and the lower connecting end 302 of the locking spring 300 are both flat, the upper connecting end 301 is a fixed end, always abutting against the end surface of the lower cavity 204, and the lower connecting end 302 is a free end, which is released from the limit plate 102 of the connecting sleeve 101 and provides vertical tensioning pressure.

[0048] In this example, the outer diameter radial dimension of the locking spring 300 is smaller than the inner diameter radial dimension of the lower cavity 204, and larger than the inner diameter radial dimension of the connecting cavity 203. The inner diameter radial dimension of the locking spring 300 is larger than the radial dimension of the highest point of the claw head 1031, and smaller than the outermost radial dimension of the claw head 1031. When the claw head 1031 enters the upper tube seat 200, it touches the locking spring 300, the cavity wall of the connecting cavity 203, and the groove 201 in sequence. The size of the locking spring 300 ensures the normal deformation of the elastic hook 103, so as to smoothly enter the upper tube seat 200.

[0049] In summary, the efficient detachable connection device 100 and the fuel assembly of the nuclear energy system provided in this embodiment can enable the upper tube seat 200 to be conveniently and quickly disassembled and assembled with the connecting sleeve 101, and the structure is simple, saving time and effort.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An efficient detachable connection device, characterized in that: The invention comprises an upper tube seat (200), a connecting sleeve (101), and a locking spring (300); the inner cavity of the upper tube seat (200) is provided with an upper cavity (202), a connecting cavity (203), a lower cavity (204), and a matching groove (201) located at the upper cavity (202); the inner cavity passes through the upper tube seat (200); the locking spring (300) makes the upper tube seat (200) and the claw head (1031) closely fit each other; the connecting sleeve (101) comprises a coaxially connected sleeve handle, a limit plate (102), and an elastic hook claw (103); the elastic hook claw (103) comprises a claw head (103 1), a claw body (1032) and a hook groove (1033), the locking spring (300) includes an upper connecting end (301) and a lower connecting end (302), the elastic hook (103) extends into the upper tube seat (200), and the claw head (1031) is embedded in the matching groove (201), the upper wall of the lower cavity (204) is in contact with the upper connecting end (301), the limiting plate (102) is in contact with the lower connecting end (302), the locking spring (300) is used to be compressed under the action of an external force, and the elastic hook (103) is withdrawn into the lower cavity (204) by a disassembly tool.

2. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interior of the connecting sleeve (101) is a hollow structure.

3. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic hook claw (103) is in a "J" shape, and there are multiple elastic hook claws (103). The multiple elastic hook claws (103) are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity of the upper tube seat (200) to form the hook claw groove (1033).

4. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The claw head (1031) is curved, and the curve fits the matching groove (201). When the hook groove (1033) is used for removal and reinstallation, the elastic hook (103) can produce radial deformation under the action of external force, driving the connecting sleeve (101) to withdraw from the upper pipe seat (200).

5. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting plate (102) is the part where the outer diameter of the connecting sleeve (101) is the largest, and the outer diameter of the limiting plate (102) is equal to the inner diameter of the lower cavity (204).

6. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cavity (202), the connecting cavity (203), and the lower cavity (204) are arranged in an "I" structure; the inner diameter of the upper cavity (202) is greater than the inner diameter of the lower cavity (204); the inner diameter of the lower cavity (204) is greater than the inner diameter of the connecting cavity (203) and is equal to the outer diameter of the limiting disk (102); the connecting cavity (203) fits the claw body (1032).

7. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The matching groove (201) is an annular groove annularly recessed in the bottom wall of the upper cavity (202), and the annular groove matches the end of the claw head (1031); the cross-sections of the annular groove and the end of the claw head (1031) are both arc-shaped.

8. The efficient detachable connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper connecting end (301) and the lower connecting end (302) are both flat surfaces. After the connection is completed, the upper tube seat (200) and the connecting sleeve (101) fit tightly against each other, and the outer diameter of the locking spring (300) is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower cavity (204).

9. A fuel assembly for a nuclear energy system, characterized in that: It comprises a highly efficient detachable connecting device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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