Nuclear Personnel Gate Buffer Device Absorbing Rebound Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional buffer mechanisms in nuclear power plant personnel gates fail to adequately absorb the rebound force and displacement during door closure, leading to compromised sealing performance and potential containment pressure boundary failures.

Innovation Solution

A buffer device comprising an electromagnetic chuck and a suction plate with integrated springs and sliding mechanisms, which allows controlled movement and absorption of impact forces, ensuring proper door closure and maintaining containment integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a conventional buffer mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the rebound force and displacement during door closure cannot be sufficiently buffered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffering capabilityVSAvoidbuffer mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple buffering mechanisms (electromagnetic chuck, suction plate, and spring) into an integrated buffer device. The electromagnetic chuck and suction plate work together to clamp the door plate, while the spring provides additional buffering force, creating a composite buffering system that overcomes the limitations of conventional single-mechanism buffers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring acts as an intermediary buffering element between the door plate and the buffer mechanism. It absorbs and dampens the rebound force through elastic deformation, providing an intermediate stage of energy absorption that reduces the impact on the main buffering components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the door plate closes at a certain rate, then the closure speed is controlled, but large rebound force and displacement occur when the door plate contacts the door frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor closure speedVSAvoidrebound force
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer device is activated before the door plate contacts the door frame. The electromagnetic chuck and suction plate engage with the door plate in advance, and the spring is pre-compressed, creating a cushioning system that is ready to absorb the impact before it occurs, thereby reducing rebound force and displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful rebound force into useful work by using the spring to absorb the impact energy through controlled compression. The rebound force that would otherwise damage the door frame or cause sealing failures is transformed into elastic potential energy in the spring, which can then be dissipated gradually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the door plate contacts the door frame with large rebound force, then the closure is complete, but the sealing performance deteriorates and the containment pressure boundary integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidimpact force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer device provides beforehand cushioning by engaging the door plate before contact with the door frame. This pre-engagement ensures that the door plate is securely held and the sealing surfaces are properly aligned, maintaining sealing performance while preventing excessive impact forces that could compromise the containment pressure boundary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the conventional buffer mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the transmission mechanism service life is reduced due to instantaneous rebound impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission mechanism service lifeVSAvoidbuffer device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple buffering components (electromagnetic chuck, suction plate, spring) into a unified buffer device that provides extended protection for the transmission mechanism. This combined system distributes the impact forces across multiple components, reducing the stress on any single element and thereby extending the service life of the transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The buffer device effectively absorbs rebound forces, ensuring normal closure of the personnel gate, maintaining the integrity of the containment pressure boundary and reducing wear and friction.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic chuck and a chuck base plate that are fixedly connected... the electromagnetic chuck being connected to a power supply for controlling the power supply time of the electromagnetic chuck

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a first spring being arranged between the suction plate connecting plate and the door plate connecting plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3875720B1Nuclear power plant personnel airlock buffering device
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 CHINA NUCLEAR POWER DESIGN COMPANY
  • EP3875720B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3875720B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A nuclear power plant personnel gate buffer device includes: a chuck structural member, fixed on a door frame and including an electromagnetic chuck and a chuck base plate that are fixedly connected, the chuck base plate being provided with sliding plates at two sides thereof, the electromagnetic chuck and the chuck base plate connected together being capable of moving up and down along the sliding plates, and the electromagnetic chuck being connected to a power supply for controlling the power supply time of the electromagnetic chuck; and a suction plate structural member, fixed on a door plate and including a suction plate, a suction plate connecting plate and a door plate connecting plate, the suction plate being fixed on the suction plate connecting plate, with a first spring being arranged between the suction plate connecting plate and the door plate connecting plate, the first spring being provided with a first mandrel therein, one end of the first mandrel being fixed to the suction plate connecting plate, the other end of the first mandrel passing through the door plate connecting plate and arranging the first spring between the suction plate connecting plate and the door plate connecting plate by an auxiliary member; wherein the chuck structural member and the suction plate structural member can be attacted to be locked or opened.