Nuclear Fuel Rod Gripper with Rotary Actuation and Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear fuel rod gripper mechanisms face challenges in reliably engaging and maintaining a secure grip, particularly in radioactive environments, due to difficulties in confirming correct engagement and the risk of accidental release, which is exacerbated by mechanical complexity and potential electrical damage.
Innovation Solution
A gripper mechanism featuring a rotary body activated by linear motion, with a latching arrangement and indicator system to ensure secure engagement and disengagement, preventing accidental release and meeting IAEA safety standards, including power loss resilience and specified decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a gripper mechanism uses internal engagement to reduce interference with surrounding fuel rods, then the risk of collision and unintended gripping is reduced, but the ability to confirm correct engagement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an indicator mechanism that provides visual feedback to confirm gripper engagement status. The indicator is actuated by the gripper's movement and displays a visible position (such as through a window in the housing) to show whether the gripper is engaged or disengaged, thereby solving the detection difficulty while maintaining internal engagement benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator mechanism utilizes visual differentiation (such as color changes or distinct visual positions) to communicate the gripper's engagement state. Different visual indicators correspond to different engagement states, making it easy to detect whether the gripper has correctly engaged the fuel rod without increasing mechanical complexity
2Reliability
If a gripper mechanism uses mechanical control to avoid electrical damage in radioactive environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes electrical components from the gripper mechanism, retaining only mechanical elements for control and operation. This eliminates the risk of electrical damage in radioactive environments while maintaining operational capability through purely mechanical means such as manual actuators or spring-loaded mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper mechanism incorporates self-latching and self-indicating features that automatically maintain engagement and display status without requiring external power or complex control systems. The mechanical design includes inherent safety features like spring biasing and mechanical interlocks that ensure proper operation without adding electrical complexity
3Device complexity
If a gripper mechanism uses simple mechanical design to reduce complexity, then safety risks are reduced, but the ability to provide positive engagement indication and power loss resilience becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple safety and indication functions into a single integrated mechanical indicator system. The same mechanical movement that engages the gripper also actuates the indicator, and the latching mechanism simultaneously provides both engagement security and power loss resilience, thereby achieving multiple reliability goals without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper mechanism for moving an object having a surface cavity, the gripper mechanism comprising an actuation end moveable in an axial direction and a rotary body. A first mechanism is configured such that movement of the actuation end in an axial direction rotates the rotary body. A gripper is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position the gripper is capable of engaging an object and in the disengaged position the gripper is capable of being received into and removed from a cavity of an object. The gripper is connected to the rotary body by a second mechanism. The second mechanism is configured such that rotary motion of the body moves the gripper between the engaged position and the disengaged position.