Mobile Nuclear Fuel Assembly Deformation Scanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current equipment for measuring structural deformation in nuclear fuel assemblies is limited to inspecting only the spacer grid assemblies, failing to provide comprehensive measurements of the entire assembly, which can lead to collisions and potential radioactive leaks during reactor operation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile equipment system comprising a container with a power means, loading table, pedestal, column, scanner, and supports, allowing for upright fixation and scanning of nuclear fuel assemblies to measure overall structural deformation, including envelope, length, and maximum slope, with calibration standards for enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If equipment is designed to measure only spacer grid assemblies, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of the overall fuel assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent measurement units, each capable of measuring different aspects of the fuel assembly (spacer grid assemblies and overall assembly structure). This allows the system to maintain simplicity in individual components while achieving comprehensive measurement capability through coordination of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement equipment is designed with multi-functional capability to measure both spacer grid assemblies and the overall fuel assembly structure using the same device. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining measurement precision across different measurement targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If fixed-site measurement equipment is used, then measurement stability is improved, but adaptability to different measurement sites deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement equipment is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be moved and repositioned to different measurement sites while maintaining measurement stability. The system can adapt its position and configuration based on the specific measurement location requirements, achieving both mobility and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive measurement of entire fuel assembly is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent measurement units, each capable of measuring different aspects of the fuel assembly (spacer grid assemblies and overall assembly structure). This allows the system to maintain simplicity in individual components while achieving comprehensive measurement capability through coordination of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3660863B1Mobile equipment for measuring structural deformation of nuclear fuel assembly
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 KEPCO NUCLEAR FUEL CO LTD
  • EP3660863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660863B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to mobile equipment for measuring structural deformation of a nuclear fuel assembly and, more particularly, to mobile equipment for measuring structural deformation of a nuclear fuel assembly, which measures the length, an envelope and a maximum slope of the nuclear fuel assembly, thereby enhancing the accuracy of measuring the structural deformation of the nuclear fuel assembly, and is configured in a container type so as to be moveable, thereby enhancing an operation efficiency for measurement locations. To this end, provided is mobile equipment for measuring structural deformation of a nuclear fuel assembly, comprising: a container; a power means and a loading stand which are disposed inside the container; a seat disposed at one side of the loading stand in the container and having a hinge means and a fixing means for fixing the nuclear fuel assembly upright; a column which is mounted on the loading stand and has a pivot shaft detachably coupled to the hinge means at one end thereof, wherein the column is erected upright on one side of the fixing means of the seat about the pivot shaft coupled to the hinge means by the power of the power means; and a scanner which is raised or lowered in the longitudinal direction of the column standing upright on the seat and which is for measuring structural deformation of the nuclear fuel assembly standing upright on the fixing means.