Nuclear Reactor Control System Detachable Connection Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing detachable connection between a linear motor tubular armature and a vertical cylindrical rod in nuclear reactor control systems is prone to spontaneous uncoupling due to failure of the spring stop under high temperature and radiation conditions, compromising reliability and increasing personnel exposure.
Innovation Solution
The connection features L-shaped slots on the armature, vertical slots, radial protrusions, a tubular fork with pins, and a bushing with -shaped grooves, which stabilize the rod and prevent spontaneous rotation, ensuring secure coupling and simplified operation by locating structural elements in low-radiation areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring stop is used to secure the rod in the detachable connection, then the coupling can be maintained under normal conditions, but the reliability deteriorates under high temperature and radiation due to spring stop failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring stop from the system entirely and replaces it with a purely geometric locking mechanism consisting of L-shaped slots, vertical slots, radial protrusions, and fork pins. This extraction eliminates the component susceptible to radiation and temperature degradation while maintaining the coupling function through shape-complementary engagement between the rod protrusions and armature slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the durable but radiation-sensitive spring stop with simple geometric features (slots and protrusions) that have no moving parts or material properties degraded by radiation. The locking mechanism relies on the permanent geometric relationship between components rather than elastic deformation of materials exposed to harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to prevent spontaneous uncoupling, then reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: L-shaped slots for angular positioning, vertical slots for radial protrusion engagement, fork components with pins for additional securing, and radial protrusions on the rod. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific geometric function, creating a reliable multi-stage locking system without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested geometric features where radial protrusions on the rod fit into L-shaped slots, which are themselves positioned within the armature structure. The fork pins engage with vertical slots that are nested within the armature body, creating a compact nested arrangement of locking features that achieves high reliability without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure enables a creation of a detachable connection between a linear motor tubular armature and a vertical cylindrical rod of an actuator of a control and protection system of a nuclear reactor. Such configuration reduces a dose load on a member of personnel, as well as provides an increase in reliability of a coupling of the linear motor tubular armature and the vertical cylindrical rod in conditions of high temperature and radiation.