Nuclear Plant Console Segmentation for Seismic Cost Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing instrumentation and control systems in nuclear power plants require robust seismic resistance for both safety and regular-use systems, leading to increased manufacturing costs and console size, as both systems are often integrated into the same operating console.

Innovation Solution

A dual-console setup is implemented, where a first operating console with general seismic resistance handles regular-use-system functions and a second console with superior seismic resistance handles security-system functions, allowing for efficient space utilization by separating the consoles' locations within the central control room.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both regular-use-system device and security-system device are disposed in the same operating console, then the security system can be integrated with the regular use system, but the entire operating console needs to have superior seismic resistance which increases manufacturing cost and device size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of security system and regular use systemVSAvoidsize of operating console

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into two separate operating consoles: a first operating console for the regular-use-system and a second operating console for the security-system. This segmentation allows each console to have appropriate seismic resistance specifications for its intended use, preventing the need for the entire system to meet the highest seismic standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different seismic resistance qualities to different parts of the system. The second operating console (security-system) is equipped with superior seismic resistance, while the first operating console (regular-use-system) has general seismic resistance. This local differentiation optimizes both safety and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If both regular-use-system device and security-system device are disposed in the same operating console, then the security system can be integrated with the regular use system, but the entire operating console needs to have superior seismic resistance which increases manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of security system and regular use systemVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into two separate operating consoles: a first operating console for the regular-use-system and a second operating console for the security-system. This segmentation allows each console to have appropriate seismic resistance specifications for its intended use, preventing the need for the entire system to meet the highest seismic standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different seismic resistance qualities to different parts of the system. The second operating console (security-system) is equipped with superior seismic resistance, while the first operating console (regular-use-system) has general seismic resistance. This local differentiation optimizes both safety and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If both regular-use-system device and security-system device are disposed in the same operating console, then the security system can be integrated with the regular use system, but the entire operating console needs to have superior seismic resistance which limits indoor passage space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of security system and regular use systemVSAvoidindoor passage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into two separate operating consoles: a first operating console for the regular-use-system and a second operating console for the security-system. This segmentation allows each console to have appropriate seismic resistance specifications for its intended use, preventing the need for the entire system to meet the highest seismic standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different seismic resistance qualities to different parts of the system. The second operating console (security-system) is equipped with superior seismic resistance, while the first operating console (regular-use-system) has general seismic resistance. This local differentiation optimizes both safety and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2637174B1Device for monitoring operation of nuclear power plant

Publication Date: 2018.08.01 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

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AI summary

There is provided a device for monitoring an operation of a nuclear plant, including: a functional integration VDU (21) having a regular-use-system VDU (32) that monitors the operation of the plant under normal conditions, and a security-system VDU (31) that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state; and a security-system VDU (22) that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state. The functional integration VDU (21) is mounted to a first operating console (12), the security-system VDU (22) is mounted to a second operating console (13), and thereby an increase in the size of the operating consoles in the nuclear plant is suppressed, and increased ease of operation is enabled.