Floating Maintenance Platform for Nuclear Facility Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance platforms for nuclear reactor pools are cumbersome, requiring long assembly times, significant storage and transport needs, and are not modular enough to adapt to varying pool geometries.
Innovation Solution
A floating maintenance platform with a floor comprising beams and removable slabs supported by a floating support that can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing it to adapt to different pool shapes and sizes, and includes features like an annular floating support, removable slabs covering over 50% of the surface area, and a system for immobilizing the platform in a horizontal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy platforms supported by civil engineering structures are used, then the platform provides stable support for maintenance operations, but the assembly time becomes long and the platform requires significant storage and transport resources
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into modular components including floating support elements, floor sections with beams and slabs, and interchangeable attachments. These segmented modules can be assembled quickly by connecting pre-fabricated units rather than constructing the entire platform from scratch, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining structural stability through standardized connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The platform introduces floating support elements as an intermediary between the pool water and the floor structure. These floating supports transfer the platform weight to the water, eliminating the need for heavy civil engineering support structures and enabling rapid deployment without complex installation procedures, thus reducing assembly time while ensuring platform stability
2Strength
If heavy platforms with multiple parts are used, then the platform provides sufficient structural support, but the number of containers required for transport increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The platform structure is segmented into compact modular units that can be nested or stacked within fewer transport containers. The floating support elements, floor sections, and attachments are designed as discrete modules that fit together efficiently during transport, reducing the total number of containers needed while maintaining full structural support capacity when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller platform components are designed to nest within larger components during transport. For example, floor slabs can be stored within the hollow sections of floating support elements, and smaller attachments can be nested within larger structural members, minimizing the volume required for transport and reducing the number of containers needed
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed-geometry platforms are used, then the platform provides stable working conditions, but the platform cannot adapt to the varying geometries of different nuclear facility pools
Solution Approach 1:
The platform incorporates dynamic, adjustable components including telescopic beams, movable floor sections, and reconfigurable floating supports. These elements can be extended, contracted, or repositioned to match the specific dimensions and geometry of different pool configurations, allowing the platform to adapt to varying pool geometries while maintaining stable working conditions through rigid connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The platform employs universal, interchangeable attachments and modular components that can be configured for different pool geometries. The same basic platform modules can be adapted to various pool shapes and sizes by rearranging components or adjusting dimensions, providing multi-functional capability across different nuclear facility configurations while maintaining stable working conditions
4Area of stationary object
If platforms with extensive components are used, then the platform provides comprehensive coverage for maintenance operations, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Platform components are pre-assembled into modular units with predetermined configurations for different maintenance scenarios. The floating support elements, floor sections, and attachments are pre-configured to provide comprehensive coverage areas, eliminating the need to assemble individual components during deployment. This preliminary preparation allows rapid deployment of fully functional platforms with extensive coverage while minimizing assembly and disassembly time
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
The platform enables quick assembly and disassembly, reduces storage and transport requirements, and allows for efficient access to maintenance areas while ensuring operator safety and adaptability to different pool geometries.
Implementation Method 1
a floating support (13), arranged to float on water filling a pool of the nuclear facility
Data Source
AI summary
A platform comprises a floor comprising beams and removable slabs supported by the beams; and a floating support, arranged to float on the water filling a pool of the nuclear facility, a peripheral edge of the floor resting on the floating support. The floating support can annular and can internally define an opening. The floor can completely close the opening.