Eddy Current Probe for Nuclear Fuel Rod Oxide Layer Thickness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the thickness of oxide layers on nuclear fuel rods require disassembly of the fuel assembly, making them inefficient and time-consuming, as they need to test each fuel rod individually using eddy current testing.
Innovation Solution
A probe system with eddy current sensors and a transfer mechanism that allows continuous measurement of outer and inner fuel rods' claddings without disassembling the nuclear fuel assembly, using a cylinder-driven frame and probes that move in upward and downward directions for outer rods and forward and backward directions for inner rods, enabling simultaneous testing of multiple rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If eddy current testing is performed on fuel rods by disassembling the nuclear fuel assembly and testing each rod individually, then measurement precision can be maintained, but productivity is significantly reduced and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple testing functions into a single integrated probe system that can measure oxide layer thickness on multiple fuel rods simultaneously. The probe includes eddy current sensors arranged to contact several fuel rod claddings at once, eliminating the need to disassemble the fuel assembly and test rods individually, thus maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed as a multi-functional device that can test both outer fuel rods and inner fuel rods of the nuclear fuel assembly without disassembly. The probe includes multiple eddy current sensors and transfer mechanisms that enable simultaneous testing of multiple rods, making the device universal for different testing positions and rod types within the assembly
2Ease of operation
If the nuclear fuel assembly is disassembled for testing, then access to all fuel rods is improved, but the complexity of the testing process increases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of disassembling the fuel assembly to access fuel rods for testing, the invention inverts the approach by bringing the testing probe into the fuel assembly. The probe is inserted through the assembly structure and uses transfer mechanisms to reach inner fuel rods, thereby maintaining assembly integrity while achieving easy access to all rods for testing
3Productivity
If multiple probes are used to test inner and outer fuel rods simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple testing functions into a single integrated probe system rather than using separate probes for inner and outer rods. The probe includes multiple eddy current sensors and a unified transfer mechanism that can simultaneously test both inner and outer fuel rods, improving productivity while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple independent probe systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and efficient measurement of oxide layer thickness on multiple fuel rods without disassembly, improving the assessment of thermohydraulic performance and longevity of fuel rods.
Implementation Method 1
the thickness of the oxide layer of the fuel rod is measured by eddy current testing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a probe and an apparatus for measuring a thickness of an oxide layer of a fuel rod, capable of testing claddings of inner and outer fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly without disassembling the nuclear fuel assembly. The probe includes a fuel rod transfer region on which an eddy current sensor capable of continuously testing claddings of outer fuel rods of a fixed nuclear fuel assembly is mounted. Further, the apparatus includes a frame in which a cylinder driven in upward and downward directions is mounted, a first probe connected to one side of the cylinder in order to test claddings of outer fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly, and a second probe connected to the other side of the cylinder in order to test claddings of inner fuel rods of the nuclear fuel assembly.