Stepped connecting device and nuclear energy system fuel assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a stepped connecting device and a nuclear energy system fuel assembly, and relates to the technical field of nuclear reaction devices. The stepped connecting device comprises an upper pipe seat, a locking plate and a guide pipe, the upper pipe seat is provided with an upper cavity, a connecting cavity and a lower cavity, the locking plate comprises an upper connecting plate and a lower connecting sleeve, the guide pipe comprises a guide pipe handle part and a guide pipe head part, and the guide pipe head part is pushed into the upper pipe seat from the lower cavity; the convex ring at the head part of the guide pipe is clamped with the annular groove in the upper pipe seat; and the lower connecting sleeve is in expansion fit with the head of the corresponding guide pipe. The nuclear energy system fuel assembly comprises the stepped connecting device. The stepped connecting device and the nuclear energy system fuel assembly have the advantage of being convenient to disassemble and assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of nuclear reaction devices, and in particular to a stepped connection device and a nuclear energy system fuel assembly. Background Art

[0002] There are multiple guide tube holes running through the upper part of the fuel assembly of the nuclear energy system. Each guide tube hole needs to be connected to a corresponding guide tube, thereby providing a control channel for the fuel assembly, maintaining the stability of the supporting structure, and effectively ensuring the operation of the fuel assembly.

[0003] Currently, the main connection methods for fuel assemblies on the market include threaded fastening and snap-on locking. These connection methods require that the guide tube and the upper tube seat be designed with precise thread matching or snap-on docking structures. During installation, the guide tube is screwed into the upper tube seat by rotating, or is firmly locked with the help of a snap-on mechanism after insertion. These traditional connection methods are complicated, time-consuming and labor-intensive during disassembly and installation. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a stepped connection device and a nuclear energy system fuel assembly, which are easy to disassemble and assemble.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application provides a stepped connection device, including an upper tube seat, a locking plate, and a guide tube. The upper tube seat is provided with an upper cavity, a connecting cavity, a lower cavity, and an annular groove. The locking plate includes an upper connecting plate and a lower connecting sleeve. The guide tube includes a guide tube handle and a guide tube head. The guide tube head is pushed into the upper tube seat from the lower cavity. Two convex rings are arranged around the guide tube head. At the connecting cavity, the two convex rings of the guide tube head are embedded in the annular groove of the upper tube seat. The locking plate is pressed down from the upper cavity into the upper tube seat. The lower connecting sleeve is tightly fitted with the side wall of the upper cavity. The lower connecting sleeve is expansion-fitted with the corresponding guide tube head to lock the upper tube seat.

[0006] Optionally, the upper cavity, the connecting cavity and the lower cavity penetrate the upper tube seat, the upper cavity is used to accommodate the locking plate, and the lower cavity is used to push in the guide tube.

[0007] Optionally, the inner diameter of the annular groove is larger than the two convex rings on the outer side of the guide tube head, and the two convex rings are embedded in the annular groove to lock the upper tube seat and the guide tube.

[0008] Optionally, the upper cavity matches the shape of the lower connecting sleeve, so as to make the lower connecting sleeve fit tightly against the side wall of the upper cavity.

[0009] Optionally, the lower connecting sleeve is hollow and passes through the upper connecting plate.

[0010] Optionally, the lower portion of the lower connecting sleeve adopts a conical structure for expansion fit with the guide tube, and the fit between the lower connecting sleeve and the guide tube is used to lock the upper tube seat.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a nuclear energy system fuel assembly, comprising the stepped connection device described in any one of the above items.

[0012] The stepped connection device and nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the stepped connection device and nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention, in actual application, when it is necessary to install the upper tube seat, install the guide tube and the upper tube seat so that the two convex rings on the upper part of the guide tube are embedded in the two circular ring grooves, and then install the locking plate so that the inclined part and the flat part of the lower connecting sleeve are tightly fitted with the upper tube seat, and press down with force until the cone part of the lower connecting sleeve is embedded in the head of the guide tube to achieve the locking of the device. In this case, use the disassembly hook claw to extend into the through hole of the locking plate, hook the lower connecting sleeve, and pull it to withdraw from the upper tube seat to achieve the disassembly and assembly of the upper tube seat. Therefore, the stepped connection device of the nuclear energy system fuel assembly and the nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided by the present invention have the characteristics of convenient disassembly and assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] 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.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a stepped connection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a stepped connection device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of an upper pipe seat in a stepped connection device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the locking plate in the stepped connection device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a locking plate in a stepped connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6Schematic diagram of the structure of the guide tube in the stepped connection device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Icons: 200 - upper tube seat; 201 - upper cavity; 202 - connecting cavity; 203 - lower cavity; 204 - annular groove; 300 - locking plate; 301 - upper connecting plate; 302 - lower connecting sleeve; 400 - guide tube; 401 - guide tube handle; 402 - guide tube head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] 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 components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] This embodiment provides a fuel assembly for a nuclear energy system, including a stepped connection device. Figure 1 - Figure 3 , Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the stepped connection device provided in this embodiment. Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the stepped connection device. In this embodiment, the stepped connection device includes an upper tube seat 200, a locking plate 300, and a guide tube 400. The upper tube seat 200 is vertically penetrated with an upper cavity 201, a connecting cavity 202, and a lower cavity 203. The locking plate 300 is provided with an upper connecting plate 301 and a lower connecting sleeve 302. The guide tube 400 includes a guide tube handle 401 and a guide tube head 402. The guide tube 400 is pushed into the lower cavity of the upper tube seat 200. Two convex rings are arranged around the outer wall of the guide tube head 402. The two convex rings on the surface of the guide tube head 402 are embedded in the annular groove 204 on the side wall of the connecting cavity 202 in the upper tube seat 200. The locking plate 300 is pressed down from the upper cavity 201 of the upper tube seat 200, and the surface of the lower connecting sleeve 302 of the locking plate 300 is tightly fitted to the surface of the upper cavity 201 of the upper tube seat 200. At this time, the lower connecting sleeve 302 of the locking plate 300 and the guide tube 400 are expanded and fitted at the connecting cavity 202 of the upper tube seat 200 to lock the upper tube seat 200.

[0030] When the upper tube seat 200 needs to be disassembled, a coaxial through hole is provided at the lower connecting sleeve 302, and a disassembly hook is used to extend from the upper connecting plate 301. The disassembly hook is compressed and contracted inside the through hole. When the claw head exceeds the bottom of the lower connecting sleeve 302, it expands and hooks the lower connecting sleeve 302. At this time, the disassembly hook is pulled up to separate the locking plate 300 from the upper tube seat 200. The locking plate 300 and the guide tube 400 are released from the expansion fit, and the upper tube seat 200 is easily disassembled.

[0031] Compared with the existing method of threaded connection with the upper tube seat 200, this method does not require rotation operation and fine adjustment when disassembling and installing the upper tube seat 200. The lower connecting sleeve 302 and the guide tube 400 are expanded and tightened, and at the same time, the lower connecting sleeve 302 and the upper cavity 201 of the upper tube seat 200 have many matching surfaces, so there is no need for fine adjustment during installation. After ensuring the approximate orientation, the locking can be completed by pressing down. During disassembly, the locking plate 300 can be disassembled and assembled by inserting the hook and pulling it up, thereby realizing the disassembly and assembly of the upper tube seat 200. The disassembly and assembly process is convenient and quick. Compared with the traditional threaded connection with the upper tube seat 200, the disassembly and assembly efficiency is high and time is saved.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the upper tube seat 200 .

[0033] In this embodiment, the upper tube seat 200 is provided with an upper cavity 201, a connecting cavity 202 and a lower cavity 203 coaxially therethrough. Two annular grooves 204 are provided on the side wall of the connecting cavity 202, and the inner diameter of the annular grooves 204 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tube wall of the connecting cavity 202, so that the guide tube head 402 can be smoothly inserted when matched.

[0034] In actual application, in order to achieve effective cooperation between the lower connecting sleeve 302 and the upper tube seat 200, an inclined surface end is provided on the upper edge of the upper cavity 201 of the upper tube seat 200, and a flat surface end is provided at the bottom of the inclined surface section. The inclined surface end and the flat surface end are respectively tightly fitted with the inclined surface end and the flat surface end of the lower connecting sleeve 302 to achieve positioning cooperation between the locking plate 300 and the upper tube seat 200. The dimensions of the inclined surface end and the flat surface end of the upper tube seat 200 are slightly larger than those of the inclined surface end and the flat surface end of the lower connecting sleeve 302, and the two are matched with clearance.

[0035] In order to ensure the effectiveness of the cooperation between the guide tube 400 and the upper tube seat 200, a conical groove is provided on the side wall of the lower cavity 203 of the upper tube seat 200 to achieve the initial positioning of the cooperation between the guide tube 400 and the upper tube seat 200.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the locking plate 300. Figure 5 Shown is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the locking plate 300 .

[0037] In this embodiment, the lower surface of the upper connecting plate 301 is horizontal and fits tightly against the upper surface of the upper tube seat 200 when locked. The shape of the lower connecting sleeve 302 matches the upper tube seat upper cavity 201 and the connecting cavity 202, and the size is slightly smaller, so as to achieve clearance fit between the lower connecting sleeve 302 and the upper tube seat 200, and avoid deformation of the plate caused by interference fit between the locking plate 300 and the upper tube seat 200.

[0038] It should be noted that the upper connecting plate 301 and the lower connecting sleeve 302 are integrated rather than rigidly connected, so as to avoid shear fracture of the plate caused by large horizontal force when they are matched.

[0039] In practical applications, the inner through hole of the lower connecting sleeve 302 extends from the upper connecting plate 301 to the lower connecting sleeve 302 , ensuring that the disassembly hook can effectively extend downward and hook the lower connecting sleeve 302 .

[0040] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the guide tube 400 .

[0041] In this embodiment, the guide tube 400 includes a guide tube handle 401 and a guide tube head 402. The guide tube head 402 is tightly matched with the lower connecting sleeve 302, and at the same time, the two convex rings on the outer side of the guide tube head 402 are embedded in the annular groove 204 to achieve the locking of the upper tube seat 200. After the locking plate 300 is withdrawn from the upper cavity 201 of the upper tube seat, the guide tube handle 401 is fixed and withdrawn from the upper tube seat 200, so that the upper tube seat 200 can be disassembled and assembled.

[0042] It should be noted that the guide tube head 402 and the guide tube handle 401 of the guide tube 400 are made of the same material and are not rigidly connected, and the two are transitioned through a conical surface.

[0043] In practical applications, the guide tube head 402 is provided with four vertically extending grooves, which divide the guide tube head 400 into four plug plates that are symmetrically distributed at 90°. Compared with the case where there are no grooves, the deformation on one side can be provided by two plug plates, and the interaction between different plug plates is small, so the deformation performance is good when embedded in the upper tube seat 200.

[0044] In summary, the stepped connection device and the nuclear energy system fuel assembly provided in this embodiment can realize convenient and quick disassembly and assembly of the upper tube seat 200, and at the same time, the structure is simple, time-saving and labor-saving.

[0045] 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. A stepped connection device, characterized in that: The invention comprises an upper tube seat (200), a locking plate (300), and a guide tube (400); the upper tube seat (200) is provided with an upper cavity (201), a connecting cavity (202), a lower cavity (203), and an annular groove (204); the locking plate (300) comprises an upper connecting plate (301) and a lower connecting sleeve (302); the guide tube (400) comprises a guide tube handle (401) and a guide tube head (402); the guide tube head (402) is pushed into the upper tube seat (200) from the lower cavity (203); the guide tube Two convex rings are arranged around the guide tube head (402). At the connecting cavity (202), the two convex rings of the guide tube head (402) are embedded in the annular groove (204) of the upper tube seat (200). The locking plate (300) is pressed down from the upper cavity (201) into the upper tube seat (200). The lower connecting sleeve (302) is tightly fitted with the side wall of the upper cavity (201). The lower connecting sleeve (302) is tightly fitted with the corresponding guide tube head (402) to lock the upper tube seat (200).

2. The stepped connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cavity (201), the connecting cavity (202), and the lower cavity (203) penetrate the upper tube seat (200); the upper cavity (201) is used to accommodate the locking plate (300), and the lower cavity (203) is used to push in the guide tube (400).

3. The stepped connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the circular groove (204) is larger than the two convex rings on the outside of the guide tube head (402); the two convex rings are embedded in the circular groove (204) and are used to lock the upper tube seat (200) and the guide tube (400).

4. The stepped connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper chamber (201) and the lower connecting sleeve (302) match in shape, so as to enable the lower connecting sleeve (302) to fit tightly against the side wall of the upper chamber (201).

5. The stepped connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower connecting sleeve (302) is hollow and passes through the upper connecting plate (301).

6. The stepped connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower portion of the lower connecting sleeve (302) adopts a conical structure for expansion fit with the guide tube (400), and the fit between the lower connecting sleeve (302) and the guide tube (400) is used to lock the upper tube seat (200).

7. The stepped connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The guide tube head (402) is provided with a longitudinal groove, and the longitudinal groove divides the guide tube head (402) into four circumferentially symmetrical plug plates, so as to improve the deformation performance of the guide tube (400) when mating.

8. The stepped connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower connecting sleeve (302), the upper tube seat (200), and the guide tube (400) are matched and locked in the connecting cavity (202).

9. A nuclear energy system fuel assembly, characterized in that: It comprises the stepped connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 above.

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