Modular Wireless Sensor System for Nuclear Valve Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless sensor systems for nuclear power plants require extensive manual monitoring of valve positions, leading to human error, safety hazards, and high installation costs due to the need for requalification of entire valves when replacing or upgrading sensors.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system comprising unitary modules with a common interface for data and power transfer, allowing for easy upgrading or replacing of individual modules without affecting the entire system, and adaptable to various valve types without requiring valve body disassembly or requalification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wireless position sensors are integrated in a valve or added before qualification, then the valve position can be monitored, but the entire valve must be requalified when the sensor is replaced or upgraded, leading to high costs and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the valve assembly into separate functional modules: the valve body and the sensor system are independent. The sensor system includes a sensor module, electronic module, and power module that can be independently replaced without affecting the valve body qualification status.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is extracted from the valve body as a separate, removable assembly. The sensor module can be detached and replaced without modifying the valve body, eliminating the need for requalification of the entire valve when sensors are upgraded.
2Reliability
If conventional wireless position sensors are retrofitted on to a valve, then the valve position can be monitored, but valve body disassembly and modification are required, making the process time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed as a separate modular assembly that attaches to the valve exterior without requiring disassembly of the valve body. This segmentation allows rapid installation by simply mounting the external sensor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The external sensor assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate various valve types without custom modification. The standardized interface and mounting mechanism enable quick deployment across different valve configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual surveillance methods are used to verify valve positions, then no additional equipment is needed, but human error opportunities, safety challenges, and personnel safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically monitors and transmits valve position data without requiring human intervention for verification. The wireless sensor continuously self-monitors valve position and communicates status to remote locations, eliminating manual surveillance tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical surveillance process is replaced with an automated electronic sensor system. The wireless position sensor electronically detects valve position and transmits data, substituting human visual inspection and physical travel with automated sensing and wireless communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments described in the disclosure relate to wireless sensor systems. Some embodiments specifically relate to unitary modules for sensing, power, processing, communication, and data storage; and that may be connected by a common interface to form a wireless sensor system.