Remote control device and remote control method

Abstract

To provide a remote operation technique that can improve transmission efficiency of torque.SOLUTION: A remote operation device 1 comprises: shafts 3 for transmitting torque, and having rigidity; bearings 12 for supporting the shafts 3 rotatably around an axis; and fixing tools 10 for fixing the bearings 12 to at least one of a wall surface, a ceiling, and a floor surface in a building provided with a device 2 to be operated. The plurality of shafts 3 are connected to form a torque transmission path for transmitting the torque to the device 2 from an operation part 7 to which the torque is inputted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to remote control technology. [Background technology]

[0002] In the event of a serious accident at a nuclear power plant, gas will be generated by melted nuclear fuel inside the reactor pressure vessel. This gas could cause the pressure in the reactor containment vessel to exceed the pressure limit considered in the design, leading to its rupture. The Nuclear Regulation Authority has therefore requested that power companies take measures to release the pressure in the reactor pressure vessel. For this reason, nuclear power plants are equipped with vent valves. These vent valves are motorized valves that can be operated with a DC power source so that they can still function even in the event of a loss of AC power. Furthermore, the Nuclear Regulation Authority has requested that power companies take into consideration the possibility of a total power loss and take measures to "mechanically" operate the vent valve by transmitting a force generated manually.

[0003] In addition, the power utility voluntarily requires that the equipment supplier be able to close the vent valve after venting and to construct the boundary of the reactor pressure vessel. As a means for realizing this requirement, for example, a technology is known in which the torque generated by turning a handle installed outside the reactor building is transmitted to the motor-operated valve via a flexible shaft. However, when multiple flexible shafts are connected, the torque transmission efficiency decreases. Therefore, a reduction gear must be provided in the middle. In addition, when opening and closing the vent valve, the handle must be rotated several thousand times. Therefore, a technology is known in which a device such as a "bicycle" is used as a means for generating torque by human power. However, in a torque transmission mechanism in which multiple flexible shafts are connected, the handle must be rotated several thousand times, making it difficult to open and close the vent valve within the required time. Therefore, it is required to improve the torque transmission efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5976518 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6650590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control technique capable of improving torque transmission efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shaft that transmits torque and has rigidity, a bearing that supports the shaft rotatably around its axis, Installed at a nuclear power plant Device to be operated A valve that is opened or closed when the power supply to the nuclear power plant is lost. and a fixing device for fixing the bearing to at least one of a wall surface, a ceiling, and a floor surface of a building in which the bearing is provided, and a torque transmission path is formed by connecting the shafts and transmitting the torque from an operation unit to which the torque is input to the device. Cage , The torque transmission system further includes a flexible shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and has flexibility, and a through shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and penetrates at least one of the wall surface, the ceiling, and the floor surface, wherein the building includes a first building and a second building, the torque transmission path is formed from the first building to the second building, and the flexible shaft is provided at the boundary between the first building and the second building. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a remote control technique capable of improving torque transmission efficiency is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall image of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of shaft units provided on a wall surface. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] IV-IV cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the through shaft and crank handle. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a shaft unit according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a remote control device and a remote control method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 denotes a remote control device of this embodiment. This remote control device 1 remotely operates equipment installed in a specific building. For example, a nuclear power plant building is taken as an example of the building. This building is provided with a vent valve 2 as the equipment to be operated.

[0011] In a nuclear power plant, if the reactor cannot be cooled due to a total loss of power, the pressure inside the reactor containment vessel may increase and cause damage. To prevent this damage, so-called venting is performed to exhaust the atmosphere inside the reactor containment vessel to the outside. The vent valve 2 is installed between the reactor containment vessel and the exhaust stack. An operator opens the vent valve 2 when venting starts and closes the vent valve 2 when venting ends.

[0012] In other words, the vent valve 2 is operated to be opened or closed in the event of a total power loss at the nuclear power plant. The remote control device 1 enables an operator to remotely operate the vent valve 2. Furthermore, by installing this remote control device 1 in advance, an operator can manually open or close the vent valve 2 in the event of a total power loss. Furthermore, the remote control device 1 does not require any electricity to operate, and is a "mechanical" device that can be operated solely by human power.

[0013] The remote control device 1 may be installed when a building is newly constructed, or may be installed later in an existing building after many years have passed since its construction. The remote control device 1 may also be installed temporarily (temporarily).

[0014] The remote control device 1 comprises a shaft unit 3, a universal joint 4, a flexible shaft 5, a through shaft 6, and a crank handle 7. These components are linearly connected and extend from the manual operation chamber to the vent valve 2.

[0015] The crank handle 7 is an operating part to which torque is input by manual operation by an operator. This crank handle 7 is provided in a manual operation room separated from the vent valve 2. This manual operation room is shielded from radiation from the nuclear reactor, and is a place where operators can work safely.

[0016] In this embodiment, a plurality of shaft units 3, universal joints 4, flexible shafts 5 and through shafts 6 are connected to form a torque transmission path that transmits torque from a crank handle 7 to the vent valve 2.

[0017] The vent valve 2 is provided with a drive unit 8 such as a reducer. The remote control device 1 is connected to this drive unit 8, and a torque for operating the vent valve 2 is transmitted thereto.

[0018] 2, the shaft unit 3 is provided along the wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces, which are structural members 9 of a building. For example, the shaft unit 3 is provided at a position slightly away from the surface of the wall. The universal joint 4 connects the multiple shaft units 3 to each other.

[0019] For example, the shaft unit 3 is fixed to a structural material 9 such as a wall surface of a building by a fixing device 10. When the wall surface is bent at a right angle in a plan view, a universal joint 4 is disposed at the corner. This universal joint 4 connects the shaft units 3 provided on one wall surface and the other wall surface to each other. This universal joint 4 may be disposed at a corner between the wall surface and the floor surface, or may be disposed at a corner between the wall surface and the ceiling.

[0020] 1, the flexible shaft 5 forms a part of the torque transmission path and has flexibility. In this way, the relative displacement occurring in the building or the equipment is absorbed by the flexible shaft 5.

[0021] For example, a torque transmission path is formed from the first building to the second building. Here, a flexible shaft 5 is provided at the boundary B between the first building and the second building. Each building shakes differently during an earthquake due to differences in structure, size, foundation (base) strength, etc. By providing the flexible shaft 5 at the boundary B, the difference in shaking that occurs during an earthquake, so-called relative displacement, can be absorbed, and the remote control device 1 is not damaged.

[0022] In addition, a flexible shaft 5 is provided between the shaft unit 3 and the vent valve 2. Here, the shaft unit 3 is fixed to a structural material 9 of the building, such as a wall. Meanwhile, the vent valve 2 is fixed to equipment such as piping (not shown). Therefore, the shaft unit 3 and the vent valve 2 shake in different ways when an earthquake occurs. By providing the flexible shaft 5 between the shaft unit 3 and the vent valve 2, the relative displacement occurring between the shaft unit 3 and the vent valve 2 can be absorbed, preventing damage to the remote control device 1.

[0023] In this way, the flexible shaft 5 is placed in locations where there is the effect of relative displacement due to an earthquake or where the torque transmission path needs to be bent. On the other hand, the shaft unit 3 is placed in locations where the effect of relative displacement due to an earthquake is negligible or where the torque transmission path is linear.

[0024] For example, it is conceivable that a major accident may occur at a nuclear power plant after a huge earthquake occurs. In this embodiment, the shaft unit 3 and the flexible shaft 5 are appropriately combined to configure the remote control device 1, thereby improving earthquake resistance. In addition, by appropriately designing the arrangement of the shaft unit 3 and the flexible shaft 5, the stress generated by the earthquake inertia force can be suppressed to the allowable value of the remote control device 1 or less.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft unit 3 includes a shaft 11, a bearing 12, and an outer cylinder 13.

[0026] The shaft 11 is a rod-shaped member that transmits torque and has rigidity. The bearing 12 supports the shaft 11 so that it can rotate about its axis. For example, the bearing 12 is configured by arranging a plurality of balls in the circumferential direction of the shaft 11 and further arranging balls in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 11. The bearing 12 may be configured not only using balls but also using rollers.

[0027] The outer cylinder 13 is a hollow cylindrical member that covers the entire outer periphery of the shaft 11 in the longitudinal direction. The bearing 12 is provided inside the outer cylinder 13. In this way, the shaft 11 and the bearing 12 can be protected by the outer cylinder 13. In addition, since the shaft 11 and the bearing 12 are integrated, the task of installing the shaft 11 on a wall surface or the like can be easily performed.

[0028] The outer cylinder 13 may be a so-called half-split member that can be divided into two in the radial direction. By making the outer cylinder 13 half-split, it becomes easier to arrange members such as the shaft 11 or the bearing 12 inside. The half-split members are then joined to each other by welding.

[0029] The shaft 11 protrudes from both ends of the outer cylinder 13. The ends of the shaft 11 are connected to another shaft 11, a universal joint 4, a flexible shaft 5, a through shaft 6, or the like. To connect such members to each other, a predetermined attachment 22 (FIG. 5) that is easily detachable is used.

[0030] Moreover, the outer cylinder 13 is provided with a plurality of partitions 14 that divide its interior in the longitudinal direction. For example, plate-shaped and annular partitions 14 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 13 so as to protrude inward. A hole through which the shaft 11 is inserted is formed in the center of the partition 14. In this way, it becomes difficult for an atmosphere containing steam from the outside to enter the inside of the outer cylinder 13, and deterioration of the shaft 11 and the bearing 12 is suppressed. In addition, it becomes difficult for external heat to be transmitted to the shaft 11 and the bearing 12, and deformation of the shaft 11 and the bearing 12 due to heat is suppressed.

[0031] For example, if a serious accident occurs in a nuclear power plant, the building will be filled with steam and radiation. To prevent the shaft 11 and bearings 12 from being directly exposed to this steam, a partition 14 is provided inside the outer cylinder 13. In this way, malfunctions of the shaft 11 and bearings 12 can be suppressed.

[0032] In addition, a disk-shaped positioning plate 15 is fixed to the shaft 11. The positioning plate 15 comes into contact with the partition portion 14, thereby positioning the shaft 11 so that it does not shift in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

[0033] Fixing device 10 is used to fix outer cylinder 13 to at least one of a wall surface, a ceiling, and a floor surface. Furthermore, bearing 12 is fixed to outer cylinder 13. In other words, bearing 12 is prevented from rotating relatively to the wall surface by fixing device 10. Shaft 11 rotates around its axis while being supported by bearing 12.

[0034] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the fixture 10 has a main body 16 in the shape of a plate (or block) bent into an L shape. This main body 16 is fixed to a structural material 9 such as a wall surface using anchor bolts 17 or the like. The shaft unit 3 is placed on the main body 16 and fixed to the main body 16 using mounting brackets 18 or the like. The outer tube 13 of the shaft unit 3 may be welded to the main body 16 of the fixture 10, or may be fixed using screws (not shown) or the like.

[0035] 2, the universal joint 4 forms part of the torque transmission path and connects the shaft 11 of one shaft unit 3 to the shaft 11 of the other shaft unit 3. By providing the universal joint 4, whose angle can be freely changed, between two shafts 11 that have different angles or directions, the torque transmission path can be freely bent and can transmit a large torque.

[0036] 1, the through shaft 6 forms a part of the torque transmission path and penetrates at least one of the wall surface, the ceiling, and the floor surface. In this way, it is possible to form a torque transmission path by penetrating the structural material 9 of the building that constitutes the wall surface, etc.

[0037] For example, a structural material 9 of a building is hollowed out to the same size as the diameter of the through shaft 6, and the through shaft 6 is inserted into the hollowed out structural material 9. The outer peripheral surface of the through shaft 6 is then fixed to the structural material 9 with mortar or the like.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the through shaft 6 includes a shaft 19, a bearing 20, and an outer cylinder .

[0039] The shaft 19 is a rod-shaped member that transmits torque and has rigidity. Bearings 20 are provided on one and the other ends of an outer cylinder 21. The shaft 19 is supported by these bearings 20 so as to be rotatable about its axis.

[0040] For example, a through shaft 6 is provided penetrating a structural material 9 of a wall facing a manual operation room. A shaft unit 3 is connected to one end of the through shaft 6 by using a predetermined attachment 22. Furthermore, a crank handle 7 is connected to the other end of the through shaft 6 by using another attachment 22. When an operator manually turns the crank handle 7 to input torque, this torque is transmitted to the vent valve 2 (FIG. 1) via a torque transmission path.

[0041] The shaft unit 3 of this embodiment has a so-called double-tube structure composed of a shaft 11 and an outer tube 13. The arrangement of bearings 12 on the outer tube 13 facilitates rotation of the shaft 11, and the shaft 11, which corresponds to the inner tube, has high rigidity, so that torque is transmitted efficiently. In addition, the double-tube structure improves earthquake resistance and durability.

[0042] Also, by providing the outer cylinder 13 on the shaft unit 3, it is possible to improve safety by eliminating the risk of people nearby coming into contact with the rotating shaft 11. Furthermore, floating objects such as dust will not become clogged in the bearing 12, and malfunction of the bearing 12 can be prevented.

[0043] Furthermore, if a serious accident occurs at a nuclear power plant, the shaft unit 3 will be exposed to radiation, heat, steam, etc. For example, there is a risk that the grease in the bearings 12 will dry out and cause malfunctions, but in this embodiment, the shaft unit 3 has a double-tube structure, so that the shaft 11 and the bearings 12 are not directly exposed to radiation, heat, steam, etc., and robustness is improved.

[0044] Next, a shaft unit 3A of a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the same components as those shown in the above-mentioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. The configuration applied in this modified example may be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment, or may be appropriately combined.

[0045] In this modification, outer cylinder 13A is provided so as to locally cover a portion of shaft 11 in the longitudinal direction. For example, outer cylinder 13A is provided at a portion of shaft 11 that corresponds to fastener 10. When one shaft 11 is supported by multiple fasteners 10, multiple outer cylinders 13A corresponding to the respective fasteners 10 are provided. Outer cylinder 13A may be integrated with fastener 10.

[0046] A partition portion 14 is provided at the end of the outer cylinder 13A. A plurality of ball bearings 23 are provided inside the outer cylinder 13A. These ball bearings 23 support the shaft 11 in the radial direction and support the shaft 11 rotatably about its axis. Note that a roller bearing may be used to support the shaft 11.

[0047] Furthermore, two thrust ball bearings 24 are provided inside outer cylinder 13A so as to sandwich positioning plate 15 for shaft 11. These thrust ball bearings 24 contact both sides of positioning plate 15 and rotatably support positioning plate 15. Thrust ball bearings 24 reduce frictional resistance caused by rotation of shaft 11 while preventing shaft 11 from shifting in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

[0048] In the above embodiment, the vent valve 2 is exemplified as the device to be operated, but other aspects may be used. For example, the device to be operated may be a valve for operating an isolation condenser in the event of a total power loss in a nuclear power plant.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the crank handle 7 as the operation unit is provided in the manual operation room, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the crank handle 7 may be provided on the outer wall of a building, and an operator may input torque outdoors.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the crank handle 7 is exemplified as the operating unit, but other configurations are also possible. For example, a specific impact driver may be connected to the operating unit, and torque may be input to the operating unit by this impact driver. Also, a bicycle equipped with a specific mechanism for torque transmission may be connected to the operating unit, and torque may be input to the operating unit by this bicycle.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, by providing shaft 11 that transmits torque and has rigidity, it is possible to improve the efficiency of torque transmission.

[0052] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments or modifications thereof are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as within the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...remote control device, 2...vent valve, 3 (3A)...shaft unit, 4...universal joint, 5...flexible shaft, 6...through shaft, 7...crank handle, 8...drive unit, 9...structural material, 10...fixing device, 11...shaft, 12...bearing, 13 (13A)...outer tube, 14...partition section, 15...positioning plate, 16...main body, 17...anchor bolt, 18...mounting bracket, 19...shaft, 20...bearing, 21...outer tube, 22...attachment, 23...ball bearing, 24...thrust ball bearing, B...boundary.

Claims

1. a shaft that transmits torque and has rigidity; a bearing that supports the shaft so as to be rotatable about its axis; a fixture for fixing the bearing to at least one of a wall surface, a ceiling, and a floor surface of a building in which a valve, which is a device that is installed in a nuclear power plant and is subject to operation and is operated to be opened or closed when a power source of the nuclear power plant is lost, is installed; Equipped with A plurality of the shafts are connected to each other to form a torque transmission path for transmitting the torque from an operation unit to which the torque is input to the device, A flexible shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and has flexibility; A through shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and penetrates at least one of the wall surface, the ceiling, and the floor surface; Further equipped with the building includes a first building and a second building, the torque transmission path is formed from the first building to the second building, and the flexible shaft is provided at a boundary between the first building and the second building. Remote control device.

2. an outer cylinder covering the outer periphery of the shaft over the entire longitudinal direction and having the bearing provided therein; The remote control device according to claim 1 .

3. An outer cylinder is provided which covers the outer periphery of the shaft locally in the longitudinal direction and has the bearing provided therein. The remote control device according to claim 1 .

4. The outer cylinder has a partition portion that divides the inside. The remote control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The bearing is structured so that it is not directly exposed to the outside air by the outer cylinder and the partition portion, and grease is sealed in the bearing. The remote control device according to claim 4.

6. a universal joint that forms a part of the torque transmission path and connects one of the shafts to the other of the shafts; The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a shaft that transmits torque and has rigidity; a bearing that supports the shaft so as to be rotatable about its axis; a fixture for fixing the bearing to at least one of a wall surface, a ceiling, and a floor surface of a building in which a valve, which is a device that is installed in a nuclear power plant and is subject to operation and is operated to be opened or closed when a power source of the nuclear power plant is lost, is installed; Equipped with A torque transmission path is formed by connecting a plurality of the shafts, A flexible shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and has flexibility; A through shaft that forms a part of the torque transmission path and penetrates at least one of the wall surface, the ceiling, and the floor surface; Further equipped with the building includes a first building and a second building, the torque transmission path is formed from the first building to the second building, and the flexible shaft is provided at a boundary between the first building and the second building. A method using a remote control device, comprising: The torque is transmitted from an operation unit to which the torque is input to the device via the torque transmission path. Remote operation method.

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