Magnetic Coupling Valve for Sodium Coolant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sodium valves for liquid metal circulation in nuclear reactors face challenges such as complexity in actuating and sealing systems, high mass offset leading to increased rupture risk, and limited reliability due to mechanical parts subject to wear.
Innovation Solution
A valve design where the shutter is moved by an armature within the enclosure, eliminating external mechanical connections, reducing the number of parts, and utilizing a ball screw mechanism for force transmission, which enhances sealing robustness and reduces pressure losses, allowing high flow rates with reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solidified sodium seal is used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and mass increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical sealing system (solidified sodium seal requiring temperature control) with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupling transmits rotational force from the drive mechanism to the shutter without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for complex sealing arrangements around rotating shafts and eliminating the mass penalty of temperature control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic coupling as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the shutter. This magnetic intermediary transfers rotational motion without requiring direct mechanical connection, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical seals and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Weight of stationary object
If a bellows-based sealing system is used, then mass offset is reduced, but reliability decreases due to mechanical parts subject to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical sealing components like bellows by using magnetic coupling for force transmission. The magnetic field penetrates the valve wall to directly couple the drive mechanism with the shutter, removing all mechanical sliding or flexible sealing parts that are subject to wear and failure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex holding system is used to reduce rupture risk, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the heavy external holding systems from the valve assembly. By using magnetic coupling, the drive mechanism can be positioned close to the valve body without creating large mass offsets, thereby eliminating the need for complex earthquake-resistant holding structures while maintaining safety.
4Force
If traditional mechanical connections are used for actuation, then force transmission is reliable, but sealing constraints and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical force transmission connections with magnetic coupling. The magnetic field transmits rotational force through the valve wall without requiring shafts, bearings, or seals, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining reliable force transmission for shutter actuation.
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 valve achieves improved sealing reliability, reduced risk of rupture, lower costs, and high flow rates, making it suitable for fast neutron reactors with sodium coolant, while simplifying the system and minimizing the risk of fluid retention and solidification issues.
Implementation Method 1
a control device having an inductor configured to generate a magnetic field to move an armature
Implementation Method 2
The movable member has a shutter (201) intended to cooperate with a complementary zone forming a seat (104) and integral with the casing (100). The position of the shutter (201) relative to the seat (104) makes it possible to control the flow of the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a valve (1) comprising: - a housing (100) forming an enclosure (101) within which a fluid is intended to flow and having at least one inlet (102) and at least one outlet (103) of the fluid, - a shutter (201) configured to cooperate with a seat (104) integral with the housing (100) to close at least the inlet (102) or at least the outlet (103) of the fluid, - a device for controlling the position of the shutter (201) relative to the seat (104), in which - the control device comprises at least one inductor (113) and at least one armature (202) magnetically coupled and configured so that the inductor (113) drives the armature (202) in rotation so as to selectively cause the shutter (201) to move closer to or further away from the seat (104), - the inductor (113) is fixed relative to the housing (100),- the armature (202) is located inside the housing (101) and is fixed relative to a screw (203) carrying the shutter (201), the screw (203) being configured to cooperate with a nut (105) integral with the housing (100) so as to transform a rotation of the armature (202) into a translation of the shutter (201).