A hoisting and transferring platform for maintaining a low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor

Abstract

The application discloses a hoisting and transferring platform for maintaining a low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor and relates to the technical field of nuclear fusion reactor engineering, which comprises a main hoisting platform, a main hydraulic cylinder arranged at the middle part of the main hoisting platform, three sets of independently adjustable hoisting arms arranged in a triangular shape around the main hydraulic cylinder, and a rotating lock connected to the lower end of the hoisting arms. The main hydraulic cylinder and the upper ends of the three sets of hoisting arms are jointly connected to a lifting frame through joint bearings. A hydraulic station is further arranged on the main hoisting platform and used for driving the main hydraulic cylinder and the hoisting arms. A movable pulley system is connected above the main hoisting platform, and a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform is installed below the main hoisting platform. The three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform is connected to a butt joint track delivery platform. The application significantly improves the automation level, positioning accuracy and intrinsic safety performance of blanket maintenance operation and is suitable for complex working conditions in a compact space and a large load of a fusion reactor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear fusion reactor engineering technology, and more specifically to a hoisting and transport platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor. Background Technology

[0002] In magnetic confinement fusion devices (such as tokamak), the blanket serves as a critical neutron shield and tritium breeding component, and its installation and maintenance must be carried out remotely in a highly radioactive environment. Due to the large size and heavy weight of the blanket module (up to tens of tons), as well as its complex internal structure and uneven center of gravity distribution, the hoisting and transportation process places extremely high demands on safety, stability, and spatial adaptability.

[0003] Several cladding transfer schemes have been proposed in the prior art. For example, Chinese invention patent CN109761009B discloses a remotely operated cladding transfer system. This system achieves full circumferential transfer of the cladding within a vacuum chamber by coordinating a top transfer platform and a bottom transfer device, combined with circumferential guide rails. However, this system has a complex structure and high integration, making it difficult to apply to scenarios requiring only partial replacement (such as the low-field side region), and its top platform is not specifically optimized for vertical lifting paths.

[0004] Furthermore, Chinese invention patents CN103818689B and CN112489822B both focus on the cladding support and radial / circumferential transfer mechanism at the bottom of the vacuum chamber, achieving horizontal movement of the cladding inside through a hydraulic lifting frame or a sliding screw structure, respectively. While such bottom mechanisms can complete the cladding positioning, they cannot solve the crucial step of the cladding entering and exiting the vacuum chamber—especially under the condition that there is only a limited-size window on the low-field side. How to safely and efficiently complete the vertical lifting and unlifting operations remains a technological gap.

[0005] In summary, while existing technologies have made progress in cladding-based internal transfer or general hoisting, they still have the following shortcomings in dedicated vertical hoisting systems for specific windows on the lower side:

[0006] (1) Lack of compact hoisting structures for narrow vertical passages;

[0007] (2) Difficulty in actively adapting to attitude imbalance caused by differences in the height of the cladding suspension points;

[0008] (3) During the hoisting process, it is impossible to automatically avoid obstacles in the passage, which affects the continuity and safety of the operation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this invention provides a hoisting and transport platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor. This platform is suitable for vertical hoisting and transporting of the blanket at the upper window of the low field side, can achieve highly stable hoisting within a limited space, actively adapts to the drop difference of the blanket hoisting points, and automatically avoids passageways after hoisting to ensure the safety of subsequent operations.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] A hoisting and transport platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor includes a collaborative hoisting system, a docking rail transport system, a pulley system, and a safety redundancy system. The hoisting system includes a main hoisting platform, a main hydraulic cylinder located in the middle of the main hoisting platform, three independently adjustable booms arranged in a triangle around the main hydraulic cylinder, and a rotary lock connected to the lower end of the booms. The upper ends of the main hydraulic cylinder and the three booms are connected to a lifting frame, and a hydraulic station is provided on the main hoisting platform. The docking rail transport system includes a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform installed below the main hoisting platform and a docking rail delivery platform connected to the lower end of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform. The pulley system... The system includes three sets of movable pulleys connected above the main lifting platform, each connected to the main lifting platform via a pin-shaft force sensor; the safety redundancy system includes a cooperating mechanical self-locking layer, a hydraulic locking layer, and a monitoring and early warning layer; the mechanical self-locking layer includes an inverted T-shaped locking tongue on the rotary lock, a worm gear self-locking pair on the height lifting mechanism of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform, and a conical pin and a diamond pin between the docking rail delivery platform and the docking rail; the hydraulic locking layer includes a double-lock balance valve on the hydraulic station to prevent accidental pressure leakage of the hydraulic cylinder; the monitoring and early warning layer includes a pin-shaft force sensor, an inclination sensor on the main lifting platform, and a laser rangefinder on the rotary lock.

[0012] Beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. This invention utilizes three independently adjustable booms in conjunction with the main hydraulic cylinder to achieve stable gripping and fine-tuning of the cladding in a confined space;

[0014] 2. This invention uses a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform to drive the docking track delivery platform, achieving high-precision track docking and ensuring the smooth transition of the cladding into the horizontal transport stage;

[0015] 3. This invention constructs a multi-layer safety protection system composed of a mechanical self-locking layer (inverted T-shaped locking tongue, worm gear self-locking, conical pin / diamond pin positioning), a hydraulic locking layer (double-locking balance valve), and a monitoring and early warning layer (pin shaft force sensor / tilt sensor / laser range sensor), which effectively prevents the risk of the cladding or docking track falling due to power failure or hydraulic failure.

[0016] In summary, this invention significantly improves the automation level, positioning accuracy, and intrinsic safety performance of blanket maintenance operations, and is suitable for complex operating conditions inside fusion reactors with compact spaces and heavy loads. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hoisting and transportation process of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hoisting principle of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the U-shaped track of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the linear bearing of the present invention;

[0024] The attached diagrams are labeled as follows: 1. Main hoisting platform; 2. Lifting frame; 3. Tilt sensor; 4. Hydraulic station; 5. Moving pulley; 6. Pin-shaft force sensor mounting base; 7. Main hydraulic cylinder; 8. Laser rangefinder; 9. Three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform; 10. Rotary lock; 11. Docking track delivery platform; 12. Boom; 13. Linear bearing; 14. Pin-shaft force sensor; 15. Electrical control cabinet; 16. Hoisting system; 17. Low-field side cladding; 18. Fusion reactor main unit vacuum chamber; 19. Vacuum chamber upper window; 20. Hoisting and transfer platform; 21. Joint bearing; 22. Guide slider; 23. Lateral adjustment mechanism; 24. Longitudinal adjustment mechanism; 25. Height lifting mechanism; 26. Camera; 27. Electromagnet; 28. Inverted T-shaped locking tongue; 29. ​​Sleeve; 30. Winch. Detailed Implementation

[0025] 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.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 3As shown, the hoisting and transfer platform 20 for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor of the present invention is used for hoisting the low-field side blanket 17 of the fusion device. It includes a hoisting system, a docking rail transfer system, a pulley system, and a safety redundancy system. The hoisting system includes a main hoisting platform 1, which directly grabs and stabilizes the low-field side blanket 17 through three adjustable booms 12 and a main hydraulic cylinder 7. The pulley system is connected to the main hoisting platform 1 from above via steel wire ropes and pin-shaft force sensors 14, providing overall lifting power. The docking rail transfer system is installed below the main hoisting platform 1 of the hoisting system. After vertical hoisting, it moves laterally and precisely docks with the fixed rail inside the vacuum chamber 18 of the fusion reactor main unit, realizing the horizontal transfer of the low-field side blanket 17. The safety redundancy system consists of three independent protective layers: a mechanical self-locking layer, a hydraulic locking layer, and a monitoring and early warning layer. The system comprises: a mechanical self-locking layer including the inverted T-shaped locking tongue 28 of the rotary lock 10, the worm gear self-locking pair (composed of a worm gear) of the height lifting mechanism 25, and the conical pin and diamond pin between the docking rail delivery platform 11 and the docking rail; a hydraulic locking layer including the double-locking balance valve configured in the hydraulic station 4; and a monitoring and early warning layer including the pin shaft force sensor 14, the tilt sensor 3 located on the main hoisting platform 1, and the laser rangefinder sensor 8 located on the rotary lock 10. The feedback signals from these sensors are uniformly processed and monitored by the integrated control program in the electrical control cabinet 15, providing multiple inherent safety guarantees for the entire operation process. The hoisting system, docking rail transfer system, moving pulley system, and safety redundancy system work closely together in terms of mechanical structure, functional timing, and safety control to jointly complete the efficient and safe maintenance of the low-field side blanket of the fusion reactor.

[0027] Specifically, the hoisting system includes a main hoisting platform 1, three independently adjustable booms 12 and a main hydraulic cylinder 7, which are connected to the lifting frame 2 via a spherical bearing 21. The three booms 12 are controlled in a closed loop via a hydraulic station 4, which can achieve stable hoisting of the lower field side cladding 17.

[0028] Specifically, a main hydraulic cylinder 7 is installed in the middle of the main lifting platform 1; three sets of booms 12 are also installed on the main lifting platform 1, arranged in a triangular pattern around the outside of the main hydraulic cylinder 7; a rotary lock 10 is installed at the lower end of the boom 12; the main hydraulic cylinder 7 and the upper ends of the three sets of booms 12 are connected to the lifting frame 2 via a joint bearing 21; the lower part of the boom 12 is connected to the low-field side cladding 17. A three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9 is installed on the bottom side of the main lifting platform 1; a docking rail delivery platform 11 is set at the lower end of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9; an electrical control cabinet 15 is located on the top side of the main lifting platform 1; three sets of movable pulleys 5 are arranged above the main lifting platform 1 and outside the booms 12, with their upper ends connected to the crane system 16. The movable pulleys 5 are connected to the pin-shaft force sensor fixing seat 6 via a pin-shaft force sensor 14; the pin-shaft force sensor fixing seat 6 is connected to the main lifting platform 1 by bolts.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the crane system 16 includes a bottom frame and an upper platform. A winch 30 is placed on the upper platform, and the winch 30 is connected to a movable pulley 5 via a wire rope. The bottom frame of the crane system 16 can be docked and locked with the upper window 19 of the vacuum chamber of the fusion reactor main unit vacuum chamber 18. The hoisting system enters and exits the fusion reactor main unit vacuum chamber 18 through the upper window 19. The hoisting and transfer platform 20 is connected to the low-field side blanket 17 via a pivot lock 10 for hoisting and maintenance operations.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the main hydraulic cylinder 7, responsible for the lifting and lowering of the blanket, is located in the middle of the main lifting platform 1. It completes the initial stroke of the blanket lifting and the final stroke of the blanket lowering. During these two movements, all three sets of booms 12 are locked, thus preventing collisions between the hook of the low-field side blanket 17 and the support rail of the fusion reactor main unit vacuum chamber 18 during lifting and lowering due to synchronization issues. The three sets of booms 12 are arranged in a triangle outside the main hydraulic cylinder 7, each with independent adjustment functions. This allows for the absorption of dimensional deviations in the fusion reactor main unit vacuum chamber 18 and the low-field side blanket 17 during manufacturing, installation, and use, thereby meeting the requirements of flexible lifting to a certain extent. A sleeve 29 is fitted over the boom 12, and multiple guide sliders 22 are provided between the boom 12 and the sleeve 29 to guide the adjustment of the boom 12 and ensure that the boom 12 remains vertical. The lower end of the boom 12 is connected to the rotary lock 10 using a spherical bearing and a pin. The rotary lock 10 is connected to the lower-field side cladding 17 using an inverted T-shaped locking tongue 28, and is engaged and disengaged by rotating 90°. A laser rangefinder sensor 8 is installed on the rotary lock 10 to detect the relative position between the rotary lock 10 and the lower-field side cladding 17 in real time. The main hydraulic cylinder 7 and the upper ends of the three booms 12 are connected to the lifting frame 2 via spherical bearings 21.

[0031] Meanwhile, the hydraulic station 4, which serves as the power source for the cylinders, is also integrated and installed on the main hoisting platform 1, making the structure more compact.

[0032] Three sets of movable pulleys 5 are connected to the upper crane system 16, which pulls the hoisting and transfer platform 20 and the lower-side cladding 17 into the bottom frame of the crane system 16. The movable pulleys 5 are connected to the main hoisting platform 1 via pin-shaft force sensors 14, which monitor the hoisting operation through tension data.

[0033] like Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, linear bearings 13 are installed on the front and rear sides of the main hoisting platform 1. These bearings can move within a U-shaped track on the inner side of the bottom frame of the hoisting system 16, with the opening of the U-shaped track pointing vertically upwards. The linear bearing 13 includes a base plate and a disc. The base plate is fixed to the front and rear sides of the main hoisting platform 1, and the disc is mounted on the base plate. A small cylinder is placed inside a hole in the center of the disc. The cylindrical surface of the disc of the linear bearing 13 rolls on the two sides of the U-shaped track, while the small cylinder in the center of the disc rolls on the bottom surface of the U-shaped track. This ensures that the linear bearing 13 can only move along its length within the U-shaped track. By having four linear bearings 13 installed on the front and rear sides of the main hoisting platform 1 engage with the four vertically installed U-shaped tracks at corresponding positions, the hoisting and transfer platform 20 is restricted to moving only vertically. Therefore, the gap between the U-shaped track and the linear bearings 13 limits the maximum sway of the hoisting and transfer platform 20 and the lower-side cladding 17 during hoisting. Meanwhile, referring to… Figure 1 An inclination sensor 3 is installed on the main hoisting platform 1, and the position and orientation of the main hoisting platform 1 are fed back by the measurement data of the inclination sensor 3.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the docking track transfer system includes a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9, a docking track delivery platform 11, a camera 26, and an electromagnet 27. To avoid obstructing the vertical lifting channel of the low-field side blanket 17, a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9 is installed below the main lifting platform 1 to achieve docking and separation of the circumferential transfer track of the low-field side blanket 17. The three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9 consists of a lateral adjustment mechanism 23, a longitudinal adjustment mechanism 24, and a height lifting mechanism 25. The circumferential and radial positions of the docking track delivery platform 11 are finely adjusted through horizontal and longitudinal adjustments. The height lifting mechanism 25 delivers the docking track delivery platform 11 to the fixed track connection point inside the vacuum chamber 18 of the fusion reactor main unit. The docking track adjustment device on the docking track delivery platform 11 is used to adjust the final position of the docking track, so that the docking track falls completely into the predetermined position, achieving precise docking of the blanket circumferential transfer track.

[0035] The docking track delivery platform 11 achieves high-precision track docking and placement through a height lifting mechanism 25 with a mechanical self-locking function. The docking track delivery platform 11 and the docking track are positioned using pins. During the fusion reactor blanket maintenance phase, the docking track can be made of ferromagnetic material, allowing for the use of electromagnets 27 (power-off type) for safety protection. Electromagnets 27 are mounted above the docking track delivery platform 11, the height lifting mechanism 25 is mounted on the lateral adjustment mechanism 23, and the lateral adjustment mechanism 23 is mounted on the longitudinal adjustment mechanism 24. When the longitudinal adjustment mechanism 24 moves independently, the lateral adjustment mechanism 23, the height lifting mechanism 25, and the electromagnet 27 on the docking track delivery platform 11 all move back and forth; when the lateral adjustment mechanism 23 moves independently, the height lifting mechanism 25 and the electromagnet 27 on the docking track delivery platform 11 all move left and right; when the height lifting mechanism 25 moves independently, the electromagnet 27 on the docking track delivery platform 11 moves up and down. A camera 26 is positioned at one corner of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9, with its lens facing the docking track delivery platform 11, to visually inspect the docking accuracy of the docking track.

[0036] Preferably, the connection between the docking track delivery platform 11 and the docking track is achieved through platform positioning, using conical pins and diamond pins to position the docking track. An electromagnet 27, which operates while the power is off, protects the docking track from detachment in the event of an accidental power outage or vibration. The entire docking and placement operation is monitored in real-time by a camera 26.

[0037] The movable pulley system includes a pin-driven force sensor 14 and a movable pulley 5 connected to the crane system 16.

[0038] Preferably, the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform 9 is driven by a servo motor, and the height lifting mechanism 25 is a worm gear lift with self-locking.

[0039] Preferably, the horizontal projection position of the main hydraulic cylinder 7 is located directly above the center of gravity of the lower field side cladding 17 being hoisted.

[0040] Preferably, the three sets of booms 12 are connected to the rotary lock 10 and the lifting frame 2 by direct hydraulic piston connection. The hydraulic cylinder can provide a certain degree of adjustment distance and can achieve a locking force of more than 40t.

[0041] Preferably, the hydraulic station 4 is equipped with a double-locking balance valve to prevent the lower field side cladding 17 from falling in the event of hydraulic failure or power failure, thereby ensuring the safety of the lower field side cladding 17 hoisting process.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor, characterized in that, It includes a collaborative hoisting system, a docking rail transfer system, a pulley system, and a safety redundancy system; the hoisting system includes a main hoisting platform, a main hydraulic cylinder located in the middle of the main hoisting platform, three sets of independently adjustable booms arranged in a triangle around the main hydraulic cylinder, and a rotary lock connected to the lower end of the boom; The main hydraulic cylinder and the upper ends of the three sets of booms are connected to the lifting frame, and a hydraulic station is installed on the main lifting platform; the docking rail transfer system includes a three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform installed below the main lifting platform and a docking rail delivery platform connected to the lower end of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform; the movable pulley system includes three sets of movable pulleys connected above the main lifting platform, and each movable pulley is connected to the main lifting platform through a pin-shaft force sensor; the safety redundancy system includes a mechanical self-locking layer, a hydraulic locking layer, and a monitoring and early warning layer that work together; the mechanical self-locking layer includes an inverted T-shaped locking tongue on the rotary lock, a worm gear self-locking pair on the height lifting mechanism of the three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform, and a conical pin and a diamond pin between the docking rail delivery platform and the docking rail; the hydraulic locking layer includes a double-lock balance valve on the hydraulic station to prevent accidental pressure leakage of the hydraulic cylinder; the monitoring and early warning layer includes a pin-shaft force sensor, an inclination sensor on the main lifting platform, and a laser rangefinder on the rotary lock.

2. The hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three-degree-of-freedom coordinate platform includes a longitudinal adjustment mechanism, a lateral adjustment mechanism, and a height lifting mechanism with mechanical self-locking function; the longitudinal adjustment mechanism is installed at the bottom of the main hoisting platform, the lateral adjustment mechanism is installed on the longitudinal adjustment mechanism, the height lifting mechanism is installed on the lateral adjustment mechanism, and the docking track delivery platform is installed on the height lifting mechanism.

3. The hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The boom is fitted with a sleeve.

4. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inverted T-shaped locking tongue achieves connection or release with the low-field side cladding through a 90° rotation.

5. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable pulley is connected to the winch of the external hoisting system via a wire rope.

6. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, Linear bearings are installed on both the front and rear sides of the main hoisting platform, and the linear bearings cooperate with the U-shaped rails vertically installed inside the frame of the external hoisting system.

7. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The docking track delivery platform is equipped with an electromagnet, which is a type that is magnetically activated even when the power is off, and is used to keep the docking track locked in the power-off state.

8. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, A guide slider is provided between the boom and the sleeve to limit the sway of the boom when it moves in the vertical direction.

9. A hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The docking track delivery platform is equipped with cameras for visual monitoring of the track docking process.

10. The hoisting and transfer platform for maintaining the low-field side blanket of a fusion reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal projection of the main hydraulic cylinder is located directly above the center of gravity of the lower field side cladding being hoisted.

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