Nuclear Electromagnets Using Ceramic Former Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuclear reactor designs face challenges in incorporating motorized components within the pressure vessel due to high temperatures and corrosive environments, which can lead to mechanical failure and require costly reactor shutdowns for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electromagnet with nested freestanding electrically insulating former layers and a multilayer electrical coil, which generates a magnetic field and is capable of operating within high-temperature environments, is used to power electric motors and pumps within the reactor vessel, eliminating the need for mechanical penetrations and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motorized components are placed inside the pressure vessel to eliminate mechanical penetrations, then reliability is improved, but the components are exposed to high temperatures and corrosive environments causing mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically insulating former as an intermediary component between the conductive wire and the harsh environment. This former acts as a protective mediator that shields the wire from high temperatures and corrosive chemicals while maintaining electrical insulation, allowing motorized components to operate reliably inside the pressure vessel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining electrically insulating formers (made of temperature-resistant materials) with conductive wire elements. This composite approach creates a component that simultaneously provides electrical conduction, thermal resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance, enabling operation in the harsh reactor environment
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional wire insulation is used in high temperature environments, then ease of manufacture is improved, but arcing and shorting occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical insulation function from the wire coating and places it in a separate freestanding former structure. This separation allows the wire to be simple bare conductive material (easy to manufacture) while the former provides the necessary electrical insulation and environmental protection, preventing arcing and shorting in high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The freestanding electrically insulating former serves as an intermediary that provides electrical insulation without requiring insulated wire. This mediator allows bare wire to be used (improving manufacturability) while still preventing electrical arcing and shorting through the former's insulating properties
3Ease of operation
If mechanical penetrations are used to connect external motors with internal components, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connections (rotating shafts and mechanical penetrations) with an electromagnetic system. Electric motors are placed inside the pressure vessel and directly drive components through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating mechanical wear points and improving reliability while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor and the driven component into a single integrated assembly located inside the pressure vessel. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mechanical connection interfaces, removing potential failure points while simplifying the overall system structure
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
This solution allows for robust and reliable operation of motorized components within the nuclear reactor, maintaining efficiency and safety by preventing arcing and shorting, and reducing maintenance costs through the use of ceramic materials and bare conductive wire configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Electrically energizing the multilayer electrical coil generates a magnetic field inside the multilayer electrical coil
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnet comprises a plurality of nested freestanding electrically insulating former layers, and electrically conductive wire wrapped around the outsides of the freestanding electrically insulating former layers to define a multilayer electrical coil in which adjacent layers of the multilayer electrical coil are spaced apart by intervening freestanding electrically insulating former layers. Electrically energizing the multilayer electrical coil generates a magnetic field inside the multilayer electrical coil. In some embodiments the electrically conductive wire is bare wire not having electrical insulation. In some embodiments the former layers comprise a ceramic material. In some such embodiments the electromagnet further comprises a ferromagnetic core disposed inside the multilayer electrical coil. An electric motor employing such an electromagnet as a stator pole is also disclosed. Control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) and coolant pump embodiments are also disclosed employing such a motor, for use in a nuclear reactor.