Remote Reactor Graphite Sampling for Deep-Hole Radioactivity Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no dedicated tool for remotely sampling graphite samples from the sidewalls of deep holes in radioactive reactor graphite blocks without damaging the reactor structure, and existing tools or technologies are not applicable.

Innovation Solution

A sampling device comprising a support, lifter, and sampling actuator is designed to remotely acquire graphite samples from the sidewalls of deep holes in reactor graphite blocks, using a telescopic rod, rotary drill, and cutting cam to cut and collect samples without damaging the reactor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a remote sampling tool is designed to sample from deep hole sidewalls, then sampling capability is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling device employs a nested structure where the sampling actuator is arranged at the end of the lifter, which itself is insertable into the deep hole. The lifter can move in a first direction while the sampling actuator inserts in a second direction perpendicular to the first, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining sampling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a support structure, a lifter mechanism for vertical movement, and a sampling actuator for radial insertion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving the complex task of deep hole sidewall sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sampling is performed remotely without destroying reactor structure, then reactor integrity is preserved, but sampling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactor integrityVSAvoidsampling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lifter acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the support structure and the sampling actuator. It enables the sampling actuator to reach the deep hole sidewall through coordinated movement in two perpendicular directions, making the remote sampling operation feasible without direct human intervention or reactor structure destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic movement capabilities where the lifter can move in a first direction and the sampling actuator can insert in a second direction perpendicular to the first. This dynamic, multi-directional movement system enables precise positioning at the deep hole sidewall, reducing sampling difficulty while preserving reactor integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12405188B2Apparatus of measuring graphite radioactivity, sampling device, and sampling method

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a sampling device of acquiring a graphite sample from a reactor graphite block, and the sampling device includes: a support placed on the reactor graphite block; a lifter configured to be insertable into the reactor graphite block in a first direction; a sampling actuator arranged at an end of the lifter and configured to acquire a graphite sample from the reactor graphite block. The sampling actuator is configured to insert into the reactor graphite block in a second direction, and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.