Fuel Holder Tapered Guide for Nuclear Transport Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transportation containers for fuel assemblies face challenges in efficiently loading and securing fuel assemblies during transportation, leading to potential deformation and reliability issues due to vibrations and friction.
Innovation Solution
A transportation container design featuring a fuel holder with a prismatic pipe and guide members that semiautomatically positions the fuel holder, reducing friction and deformation by guiding it into a secure storing position, and using a fuel holder with L-shaped steel plates and a tapered shape to facilitate easy loading and secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuel assemblies are directly inserted into rectangular pipes without protective holders, then the loading operation is simpler, but the fuel assemblies undergo unnecessary force and friction causing deformation and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
A fuel holder serves as an intermediary component between the fuel assembly and the rectangular pipe. The fuel holder has a tapered lower end that fits into a recess in the guide member, providing a protective interface that reduces direct contact and friction between the fuel assembly and the pipe wall surfaces during loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel holder is designed with a tapered shape that beforehand prepares for smooth insertion into the rectangular pipe through the guide member's recess. This pre-shaped interface cushions and guides the fuel assembly during insertion, preventing sudden impacts and reducing friction before the assembly is fully positioned.
2Reliability
If multiple fastening members are attached at predetermined intervals over the entire length of fuel assemblies, then the fuel assemblies are securely fixed, but the fastening operation takes a lot of time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into discrete fastening members positioned at specific intervals along the fuel assembly rather than continuous fastening. This segmentation allows for strategic placement of fastening points that provide sufficient security while reducing the overall number of fastening operations required.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel holder is preliminarily positioned and fixed to the rectangular pipe before the fuel assembly is fully inserted. This preliminary action establishes a stable base that reduces the need for extensive subsequent fastening operations, as the fuel holder itself provides initial securing and alignment.
3Reliability
If clamp plates press and fasten fuel assemblies to wall surfaces of rectangular pipes, then the fuel assemblies are secured, but the fuel assemblies are damaged by friction with metal contacting parts
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel holder acts as an intermediary between the clamp plates and the fuel assembly. The clamp plates fasten to the fuel holder rather than directly to the fuel assembly, and the fuel holder's tapered surface provides a smoother contact interface that reduces friction and potential damage to the fuel assembly during the fastening process.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided: a container body (11) that has an opening in one end; a lid member (12A) that seals the opening; a prismatic pipe (30) that is arranged in the container body (11); a fuel holder (20) that covers a side surface of a fuel assembly when inserted into the prismatic pipe (30); and pressing members (37a, 37b) that are arranged on the prismatic pipe (30) and press the fuel holder (20), in the prismatic pipe (30), against inner surfaces of the prismatic pipe (30). One end (23) of the fuel holder (20) is formed in a tapered shape inclining toward an inside of the fuel holder (20). One end of the prismatic pipe (30) is provided with a first guide member (40) that has a recess (41) conforming to a shape of the one end (23) of the fuel holder (20).