Nuclear Reactor Power Distribution Plate for CRDM Cable Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing nuclear reactor designs face challenges with extensive electrical and hydraulic cabling inside the pressure vessel, which is complex, prone to damage, and poses safety concerns due to limited bend radius specifications of mineral insulated cables, and requires frequent maintenance and shutdowns for even minor failures.
Innovation Solution
A distribution plate system that supports and organizes mineral insulated cables in a modular fashion, allowing for efficient deployment and easy replacement of cable modules, including quick connect mechanisms to simplify maintenance and reduce downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extensive electrical and hydraulic cabling is used inside the pressure vessel to power internal CRDM units, then the control rod drive mechanisms can be positioned inside the reactor core area, but the cabling becomes complex, prone to damage, and requires frequent maintenance shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cabling system from the traditional extensive internal configuration and consolidates it into a compact distribution plate located at the top of the reactor core. This extraction reduces the complexity and vulnerability of cabling throughout the pressure vessel while maintaining power and control connections to internal CRDM units.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure for CRDM units, a cable management system, an electrical power distribution hub, and a control signal routing platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate extensive cabling systems while improving reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If mineral insulated cables with limited bend radius specifications are used, then electrical power can be transmitted to CRDM units, but the cables become prone to damage and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is segmented into modular units organized on the distribution plate, allowing each cable to be routed independently with appropriate bend radius considerations. This segmentation makes installation and maintenance easier while ensuring electrical power transmission requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate acts as an intermediary structure that provides organized cable routing and support. It mediates between the power source and CRDM units, ensuring cables maintain proper bend radius specifications while facilitating easier installation and maintenance access.
3Productivity
If traditional extensive cabling systems are used, then all CRDM units can be powered, but the system becomes complex and requires reactor shutdowns for even minor failures
Solution Approach 1:
The cabling system is divided into separate modular cable assemblies on the distribution plate, allowing individual cables or cable groups to be replaced without affecting the entire system. This segmentation enables maintenance of minor components without requiring reactor shutdowns, improving operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate design allows for dynamic reconfiguration and easy replacement of cable modules. This dynamic capability enables rapid response to minor failures without system-wide shutdowns, maintaining high productivity while reducing the complexity of managing extensive cabling.
Data Source
AI summary
A power distribution plate (PDP) sits on top of a support plate. Control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) units are mounted on top of the PDP, but the PDP is incapable of supporting the weight of the CRDM units and instead transfers the load to a support plate. The PDP has receptacles which receive cable modules each including mineral insulated (MI) cables, the MI cables being connected with the CRDM units. The PDP may further include a set of hydraulic lines underlying the cable modules and connected with the CRDM units. The cable modules in their receptacles define conduits or raceways for their MI cables and for any underlying hydraulic lines.