Nuclear Grapple Device Inversion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools face difficulties in securely grasping and inverting spent nuclear instruments for safe movement from a reactor pool to a spent fuel pool, due to challenges in providing adequate radiation shielding and stable grasping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A grapple device with a mounting plate, fork structures, and a locking pin mechanism, which includes elongated members and a cylinder system to securely engage and lift the instruments, ensuring radiation shielding and stable movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a device attempts to securely grasp and invert the instrument portion, then radiation shielding is provided, but the device fails to securely grasp and move the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple device is divided into multiple functional components: a mounting plate, multiple forks (including a first fork and a second fork), elongated members, and a lifting member. Each component serves a specific function in grasping, supporting, and inverting the instrument portion, allowing the device to reliably secure the instrument while maintaining proper radiation shielding orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple device is specifically designed to invert the instrument portion during transfer from the reactor pool to the spent fuel pool. The mounting plate and fork configuration enables the device to grasp the instrument in one orientation and then invert it to achieve proper radiation shielding orientation, directly addressing the need to protect against radiation while maintaining grasping reliability.
2Device complexity
If a simple lifting mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely grasp and invert the instrument is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple device combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The mounting plate serves as both a support structure and a mounting point for forks and lifting members. The forks simultaneously grasp the instrument and provide leverage for inversion. The elongated members and lifting member work together to both secure and elevate the instrument portion, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining full operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple device incorporates movable components including the lifting member that can be raised and lowered, and forks that can adjust their position relative to the instrument. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different instrument sizes and shapes, securely grasp the instrument, and then invert it during the transfer process, all while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, such as a grapple device, may include a mounting plate that includes a top end and a bottom end. The grapple device may include a first fork coupled near the top end of the mounting plate and a second fork coupled near the bottom end. The first fork may include a first elongated member and a second elongated member and the second fork may include a third elongated member and a fourth elongated member. The first elongated member may be longer than the second elongated member. The grapple device may also include a lifting member coupled to the mounting plate and a lifting ring configured to move along the lifting member. The grapple device may also include a locking plate that includes an aperture. The grapple device may also include a cylinder and a locking pin coupled to the cylinder and configured to engage the aperture.