Integrally-formed self-powered neutron detector

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the field of detection, in particular to an integrally-formed self-powered neutron detector. The integrally-formed self-powered neutron detector comprises an emitter, an insulator and a collector, and the emitter is installed in the insulator; the insulator is mounted in the collecting body; the emitter is made of a metal material; the insulator is made of an insulating material; and the collecting body is made of a metal material. According to the embodiment, the damage rate of the self-powered neutron detector in the use process can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of detection, and in particular to an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Background Art

[0002] Nuclear energy is one of the important clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy sources, and plays an indispensable role in the global clean energy transition, energy security, carbon neutrality goals and climate change. The safe operation of the reactor is the basic guarantee for nuclear energy output. In a nuclear reactor, the size of the neutron flux can characterize the power density of the reactor operation and reflect the safe operation of the reactor. Real-time monitoring of the reactor neutron flux has become a necessary means to control the safe operation of the reactor.

[0003] At present, the neutron flux at various locations in a nuclear reactor is monitored by methods such as fission chambers, ionization chambers, and thermocouple detectors.

[0004] However, the fission chamber has a narrow measurement range and its own structural damage will limit its service life; the structural dimensions of the ionization chamber cause many inconveniences for measuring the neutron flux inside the core, and its sensitivity decreases rapidly; the thermocouple detector has a long response time and is greatly affected by the ambient temperature, and the processing process of the existing self-powered detector is complicated and difficult, and the transition weld has become a weak point that is easily damaged. Summary of the invention

[0005] The content of this application is used to introduce concepts in a brief form, which will be described in detail in the detailed implementation section below. The content of this application is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the technical solution claimed for protection, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the technical solution claimed for protection.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present application propose an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector to solve one or more of the technical problems mentioned in the above background technology section.

[0007] In a first aspect, some embodiments of the present application provide an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, which includes: an emitter, an insulator, and a collector, wherein the emitter is installed inside the insulator; the insulator is installed inside the collector; the emitter is made of metal material; the insulator is made of insulating material; and the collector is made of metal material.

[0008] Optionally, the emitter is made of a metal material that emits electrons through β decay.

[0009] Optionally, the insulator is made of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide.

[0010] Optionally, the collector is made of stainless steel or Inconel alloy.

[0011] Optionally, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector further includes: a first core wire, insulating powder, a first insulator sleeve, a second core wire, and high-purity insulating powder, wherein the first insulator sleeve is installed inside the collector; the first core wire is installed inside the insulator; the second core wire is inserted into the emitter as a carrier of the emitter; the insulating powder is located between the second core wire and the collector; and the top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is filled with high-purity insulating powder.

[0012] Optionally, the first core wire is a central conductor core wire in an armored coaxial two-core cable; and the second core wire is a central conductor core wire in an armored coaxial two-core cable.

[0013] Optionally, the insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide; the high-purity insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide with a purity exceeding 99%.

[0014] Optionally, the first insulator sleeve is a hollow ceramic tube sintered by aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide at high temperature.

[0015] Optionally, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector also includes: a third core wire, a first connecting flange, a second connecting flange, a second insulator sleeve, a head, and high-purity insulating powder, wherein the third core wire is installed inside the insulator; the first connecting flange is installed inside the collector; the second connecting flange is installed inside the collector; the first connecting flange is conductively connected to the second connecting flange; the second connecting flange is conductively connected to the emitter; the emitter is installed inside the second insulator sleeve; the second insulator sleeve is installed inside the collector; and the head is filled with high-purity insulating powder.

[0016] Optionally, the third core wire is the central conductor core wire in the armored coaxial two-core cable; the first connecting flange is a detachable component; the second connecting flange is a detachable component; the second insulator sleeve is a hollow ceramic tube sintered by aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide at high temperature; the high-purity insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide with a purity exceeding 99%.

[0017] The above-mentioned various embodiments of the present application have the following beneficial effects: the one-piece self-powered neutron detector of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes: an emitter, an insulator, and a collector. The above-mentioned emitter is installed inside the above-mentioned insulator. The above-mentioned insulator is installed inside the above-mentioned collector. Here, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is modified on the basis of an armored coaxial dual-core cable, and the probe top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is compacted and welded after being filled with high-purity insulating powder. Therefore, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is simple to process and easy to implement, and the welding of the probe top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is relatively easy and the weld is difficult to be damaged. Thus, the failure probability of the self-powered neutron detector can be reduced. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the self-powered neutron detector can be improved, and it is not easily damaged by the use environment of high temperature, high pressure and strong radiation. Thus, the damage rate of the self-powered neutron detector during use can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the present application will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and that components and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application; Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of other embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application; Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of some further embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application; Figure 4 are three views of some embodiments of the first connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application; Figure 5 These are three views of some embodiments of the second connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present application are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present application. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present application are only for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0021] It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the drawings. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other.

[0022] It should be noted that the concepts such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this application are only used to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order or interdependence of the functions performed by these devices, modules or units.

[0023] It should be noted that the modifications of "one" and "plurality" mentioned in the present application are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context, it should be understood as "one or more".

[0024] The names of the messages or information exchanged between multiple devices in the embodiments of the present application are only used for illustrative purposes and are not used to limit the scope of these messages or information.

[0025] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0026] refer to Figure 1 , shows a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the above-mentioned one-piece self-powered neutron detector includes: an emitter 1, an insulator 2, and a collector 3.

[0027] In some embodiments, the emitter 1 is installed inside the collector 3. The insulator 2 is installed inside the collector 3. The emitter 1 is made of metal material. The insulator 2 is made of insulating material. The collector 3 is made of metal material.

[0028] Among them, the material used for the above-mentioned emitter is a metal material that emits electrons through β decay. The material used for the above-mentioned insulator is aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide. The material used for the above-mentioned collector is stainless steel and Inconel alloy. Among them, the probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector can be an armored coaxial twin-core cable of a preset length, and the probe and the cable part do not need to be welded. Here, the preset length can be within a preset length range. For example, the preset length range can be 5 to 50 cm. For example, the material used for the above-mentioned emitter is a metal material with a large neutron reaction cross-section and emits electrons through β decay. For example, the material used for the emitter is vanadium, rhodium, and silver.

[0029] Here, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector can be a modified armored coaxial twin-core cable. The probe top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is filled with high-purity insulating powder and compacted and welded.

[0030] Further references Figure 2 , shows a schematic structural diagram of some other embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the above-mentioned one-piece self-powered neutron detector includes: an emitter 1, an insulator 2, a collector 3, a first core wire 4, insulating powder 5, a first insulator sleeve 6, a second core wire 7, and high-purity insulating powder 8.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first insulator sleeve 6 is installed inside the collector 3; the first core wire 4 is installed inside the insulator 2. The second core wire 7 is inserted into the emitter 1 as a carrier of the emitter 1. The insulating powder 5 is located between the second core wire 7 and the collector 3. The top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is filled with high-purity insulating powder 8. The top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is filled with high-purity insulating powder 8 and then compacted and welded.

[0032] The first core wire is the central conductor core wire of the armored coaxial twin-core cable. The second core wire is the central conductor core wire of the armored coaxial twin-core cable. The insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide. The high-purity insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide with a purity exceeding 99%. The first insulator sleeve is a hollow ceramic tube sintered by aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide at high temperature.

[0033] In practice, the above-mentioned one-piece self-powered neutron detector can be produced by the following steps: The first step is to use a preset length of armored coaxial twin-core cable as the probe of an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, and to perform finish rolling on the remaining armored coaxial twin-core cable. The preset length may be within a preset length interval. For example, the preset length interval may be 5 to 50 cm. Thus, firstly, an armored coaxial twin-core cable with a larger diameter may be reserved as the probe of an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, which is beneficial to the subsequent assembly of the emitter and the response current output of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Therefore, the probe and cable parts of the self-powered neutron detector do not need to be welded. Secondly, the remaining armored coaxial twin-core cable may be finish rolled so that the diameter of the armored coaxial twin-core cable may be reduced to a preset diameter value (for example, the preset diameter value may be 2 mm) by cold rolling and reducing the diameter, so as to reduce the cable diameter and improve the strength and toughness of the metal material.

[0034] In the second step, the insulating powder is discharged from the probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector by vibration impact, and one of the two center conductor core wires included in the probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is removed by using a micro-clamp. The vibration impact can be an impact generated by a vibration device. For example, the vibration device can be but is not limited to: an electromagnetic vibrator, a piezoelectric vibrator, a resonator, and a weighted vibrator. The micro-clamp can be a tool with a size smaller than a preset diameter value, which can penetrate into the probe to perform core wire cutting operations. In this way, the second core wire can be retained in the probe part of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector, and the first core wire can be removed from the probe part. As a carrier of the emitter, it can be inserted into the emitter sleeve as the main response signal detection end.

[0035] The third step is to assemble the first insulator sleeve on the probe part of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector, fill the top with high-purity insulating powder and compact and weld it.

[0036] thus, Figure 2 The structural schematic diagrams of other embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector and the related production methods of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector are shown, providing an one-piece self-powered neutron detector with a relatively simple implementation process and structure and less affected by ambient temperature. Thus, the loss of the self-powered neutron detector due to ambient temperature can be reduced, and the damage rate of the self-powered neutron detector during use can be reduced.

[0037] Further references Figure 3 , shows a schematic structural diagram of some other embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the above-mentioned one-piece self-powered neutron detector includes: an emitter 1, an insulator 2, a collector 3, a third core wire 9, a first connecting flange 10, a second connecting flange 11, a second insulator sleeve 12, a head 13, and high-purity insulating powder 14.

[0038] In some embodiments, the third core wire is installed inside the insulator. The first connecting flange is installed inside the collector. The second connecting flange is installed inside the collector. The first connecting flange is conductively connected to the second connecting flange. The second connecting flange is conductively connected to the emitter. The emitter is installed inside the second insulator sleeve. The second insulator sleeve is installed inside the collector. The end cap is filled with high-purity insulating powder.

[0039] The third core wire includes two center conductor core wires in the armored coaxial dual-core cable. The first connecting flange is a detachable component. The second connecting flange is a detachable component. The second insulator sleeve is a hollow ceramic tube sintered by aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide at high temperature. The high-purity insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide with a purity exceeding 99%.

[0040] Next, combine Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 3 The first connecting flange and the second connecting flange in the above-mentioned integrally formed self-powered neutron detector are described. Figure 4 These are three views of some embodiments of the first connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 5 These are three views of some embodiments of the second connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 4 (a) is a top view of some embodiments of the first connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Figure 4 (b) is a front view of some embodiments of the first connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Figure 4 (c) is a side view of some embodiments of the first connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Figure 5 (a) is a top view of some embodiments of the second connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 5 (b) is a front view of some embodiments of the second connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 5 (c) is a side view of some embodiments of the second connecting flange of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector according to the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the first connecting flange 10 includes: a first connecting hole 101, a second connecting hole 102, a third connecting hole 103, and a fourth connecting hole 104. Figure 5 As shown, the second connecting flange 11 includes a fifth connecting hole 111 and a sixth connecting hole 112 .

[0041] Here, the third connection hole 103 and the fourth connection hole 104 of the first connection flange 10 are connected to the fifth connection hole 111 and the sixth connection hole 112 of the second connection flange 11. The fifth connection hole 111 and the sixth connection hole 112 of the second connection flange 11 are connected to the emitter 1.

[0042] Among them, the first connection hole 101, the second connection hole 102, the third connection hole 103, and the fourth connection hole 104 included in the first connection flange 10 are gold-plated on the surface. The fifth connection hole 111 and the sixth connection hole 112 included in the second connection flange are gold-plated on the surface. Therefore, the third connection hole and the fourth connection hole included in the first connection flange are connected to the first connection hole and the second connection hole included in the first connection flange by surface gold plating. The fifth connection hole and the sixth connection hole included in the second connection flange are connected to the third connection hole and the fourth connection hole included in the first connection flange by surface gold plating and tolerance control. The fifth connection hole and the sixth connection hole included in the second connection flange are connected to the emitter by surface gold plating. The two center conductor core wires included in the third core wire are inserted into the first connection hole and the second connection hole included in the first connection flange. Therefore, the conductive connection between the third core wire and the emitter and the signal collection can be completed through the first connection flange and the second connection flange.

[0043] In practice, the above-mentioned one-piece self-powered neutron detector is produced by the following steps: The first step is to use a preset length of armored coaxial twin-core cable as the probe of an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, and to perform finish rolling on the remaining armored coaxial twin-core cable. The preset length may be within a preset length interval. For example, the preset length interval may be 5 to 50 cm. Thus, firstly, an armored coaxial twin-core cable with a larger diameter may be reserved as the probe of an integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, which is beneficial to the subsequent assembly of the emitter and the response current output of the integrally formed self-powered neutron detector. Therefore, the probe and cable parts of the self-powered neutron detector do not need to be welded. Secondly, the remaining armored coaxial twin-core cable may be finish rolled so that the diameter of the armored coaxial twin-core cable may be reduced to a preset diameter value (for example, the preset diameter value may be 2 mm) by cold rolling and reducing the diameter, so as to reduce the cable diameter and improve the strength and toughness of the metal material.

[0044] In the second step, the insulating powder is discharged from the probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector by vibration impact, and the two central conductor core wires included in the probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector are removed by using a micro-clamp. The vibration impact can be an impact generated by a vibration device. For example, the vibration device can be but is not limited to: an electromagnetic vibrator, a piezoelectric vibrator, a resonator, a weighted vibrator. Thus, the two core wires can be removed from the probe part.

[0045] The third step is to connect the first connection flange with the second connection flange, connect the second connection flange with the emitter, and install them into the collector. In practice, first, the first connection flange and the second connection flange can be connected by gold plating on the surface through the third connection hole and the fourth connection hole included in the first connection flange and the fifth connection hole and the sixth connection hole included in the second connection flange. Secondly, the second connection flange can be connected to the emitter by gold plating on the surface through the fifth connection hole and the sixth connection hole included in the second connection flange. Thus, a central conductor core wire included in the third core wire can be connected to the emitter through the first connection flange and the second connection flange, serving as a response signal detection end.

[0046] The fourth step is to assemble the first insulator sleeve on the probe part of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector, fill the top with high-purity insulating powder and compact and weld it.

[0047] thus, Figure 3 The structural schematic diagrams of some other embodiments of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to the present application and the related production methods of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector are shown, providing a one-piece self-powered neutron detector with a smaller size. Thus, a self-powered neutron detector with a smaller size can be used to facilitate the measurement of the neutron flux inside the core. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the self-powered neutron detector can be improved.

[0048] The above-mentioned various embodiments of the present application have the following beneficial effects: the one-piece self-powered neutron detector of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes: an emitter, an insulator, and a collector. The above-mentioned emitter is installed inside the above-mentioned insulator. The above-mentioned insulator is installed inside the above-mentioned collector. Here, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is modified on the basis of an armored coaxial dual-core cable, and the probe top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is compacted and welded after being filled with high-purity insulating powder. Therefore, the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is simple to process and easy to implement, and the welding of the probe top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is relatively easy and the weld is difficult to be damaged. Thus, the failure probability of the self-powered neutron detector can be reduced. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the self-powered neutron detector can be improved, and it is not easily damaged by the use environment of high temperature, high pressure and strong radiation. Thus, the damage rate of the self-powered neutron detector during use can be reduced. The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0049] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the protection scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An integrally formed self-powered neutron detector, characterized in that: The one-piece self-powered neutron detector comprises: an emitter, an insulator, and a collector, wherein: The emitter is installed inside the insulator; The insulator is installed inside the collector; The emitter is made of metal material; The insulator is made of insulating material; The collector is made of metal material.

2. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emitter is made of a metal material that emits electrons through β decay.

3. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulator is made of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide.

4. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collector is made of stainless steel and Inconel alloy; The probe of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is an armored coaxial twin-core cable of preset length, and the probe and cable parts do not need to be welded.

5. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-piece self-powered neutron detector further includes: a first core wire, insulating powder, a first insulator sleeve, a second core wire, and high-purity insulating powder, wherein: The first insulator sleeve is installed inside the collector; The first core wire is installed inside the insulator; The second core wire is inserted into the emitter to serve as a carrier of the emitter; The insulating powder is located between the second core wire and the collecting body; The top of the one-piece self-powered neutron detector is filled with high-purity insulating powder.

6. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first core wire is a central conductor core wire in an armored coaxial two-core cable; The second core wire is a central conductor core wire in an armored coaxial twin-core cable.

7. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The insulating powder material is aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide; High-purity insulating powder materials are aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide with a purity exceeding 99%.

8. The one-piece self-powered neutron detector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first insulator sleeve is a hollow ceramic tube sintered by aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide at high temperature.

Images