Modular Inspection Device for Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manipulating inspection devices for nuclear reactor pressure vessels are technologically demanding, require extensive assembly time, and result in heavy equipment that is difficult to transport and decontaminate, with limitations in adapting to various reactor diameters and inability to inspect the reactor pressure vessel bottom.
Innovation Solution
A modular inspection device with a main support, telescopic mast, and transverse track system that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, featuring a pivotally arranged telescopic mast, sliding trolleys, and independent drives for radial movement, enabling inspection of various reactor diameters and facilitating decontamination and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed mast with a support traveling along it is used, then the inspection device can perform testing and measuring operations, but the device weight increases and assembly time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device is divided into separate modular components: a main support unit and a telescopic mast unit that can be assembled and disassembled independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately, reducing overall device weight while maintaining inspection capabilities through modular reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the fixed mast structure with a telescopic mast that can dynamically adjust its length and configuration. This dynamic structure reduces the need for heavy fixed support mechanisms while maintaining the ability to perform inspections at various heights and positions within the reactor pressure vessel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic mast with supporting arms is used, then the device can adapt to different positions, but the assembly period and area required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a main support and a telescopic mast that can be independently transported and quickly assembled. This modular approach reduces the assembly area required and minimizes assembly time compared to traditional telescopic masts with multiple supporting arms, while maintaining position adaptability through the telescopic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The main support unit is designed as a universal base that can accommodate the telescopic mast for various inspection configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same main support to work with different mast extensions and probe arrangements, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby reducing assembly time and area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism for setting arms within the mast is used, then the device can assemble onto various reactor pressure vessel diameters, but it cannot inspect the reactor pressure vessel bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mast provides dynamic adjustability in length and positioning, enabling the inspection device to reach the bottom of the reactor pressure vessel while adapting to different reactor diameters. This eliminates the limitation of fixed arm mechanisms that cannot access the vessel bottom, improving inspection accessibility without sacrificing diameter adaptability.
4Reliability
If a heavy manipulating inspection device is used, then the device can perform robust inspections, but transportation to the reactor becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device is segmented into modular components (main support, telescopic mast, inspection probes) that can be disassembled for transportation and quickly reassembled at the reactor site. This modular segmentation maintains inspection robustness through proper component design while dramatically improving transportation ease compared to heavy monolithic inspection devices.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The manipulating inspection device comprises a main support (1), to which a telescopic mast (2) is connected, whereas the main support (1) is adapted for repeated connection with a reactor pressure vessel, characterized in that the main support (1) comprises a center part (1.1) and at least three supporting legs (1.2) connectible to it, arranged substantially evenly along the circumference of the center part (1.1) and adapted for repeatable connection with a reactor pressure vessel, where the center part (1.1) of the main support (1) is provided with a turn table (1.1.1) with an orifice in its center and a drive for turning the telescopic mast (2), whereas this turn table (1.1.1) is provided with a flange for repeatable connection with the telescopic mast (2), while the telescopic mast (2) comprises a mast guiding means (2.1), an outer mast (2.2) and an inner mast (2.3) telescopically arranged inside the outer one, adapted for moving against each other, where the mast guiding means (2.1) is provided with a connecting element for a repeatable connection with the flange of the main support (1), whereas, at its bottom, the inner mast (2.3) is provided with a transverse track (3) with at least one sliding trolley adapted for fastening probes and with a distribution box for cabling to the probes, whereas the transverse track (3) with at least one sliding trolley is adapted for the movement of the sliding trolley in a radial direction from the center of the main support (1) with the telescopic mast (2).