Nuclear Instrument Shielded Connector Key Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear instruments in power plants face challenges such as degradation from radiation, incorrect polarization during replacement, and the need for secure connections that withstand high vibrations and flooding, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensing instrument with a thermal and nuclear radiation shield featuring a shock protection annulus and rotatable connector key, ensuring correct polarization and secure, vibration-resistant connections, and providing thermal and radiation protection with a metal shield thickness of at least 10 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If instruments are installed in nuclear power plants, then they can perform measurements and control functions, but nuclear radiation degrades the performance of electronic devices over long periods of time
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into two separate compartments: a process-compartment that remains in the nuclear radiation environment and a control-compartment that is shielded from radiation. This segmentation allows the electronic control components to be protected from radiation degradation while the process-sensing components remain exposed for measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotatable connector with keyed polarization features acts as an intermediary between the process-compartment and control-compartment. This connector ensures correct electrical connection polarity during replacement operations and provides mechanical coupling while allowing rotational adjustment for alignment.
2Ease of manufacture
If instruments are replaced in nuclear power plants, then updated instruments can be installed, but there is a risk of incorrectly polarized connection of replacement instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates asymmetric keyed features including a key on the connector and a corresponding keyway in the mating connector. This asymmetric design provides mechanical prevention of incorrect polarization by allowing connection only in the correct rotational orientation, eliminating the risk of reversed polarity during instrument replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed polarization features are pre-configured on the connector before installation. The key orientation is predetermined to ensure correct electrical polarity alignment, so that when the instrument is replaced and the connector is mated, the correct polarization is automatically achieved without requiring manual verification or adjustment.
3Reliability
If instruments are installed in nuclear power plants, then they can operate in process environments, but high vibration conditions such as plane crashing can damage connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates beforehand cushioning through its robust mechanical coupling features and keyed engagement structure. The strong mechanical connection and proper alignment provided by the keyed features ensure that the electrical connections can withstand extreme vibration conditions such as plane crashing by preventing connection failure or loosening during such events.
4Reliability
If instruments are installed in nuclear power plants, then they can perform process control, but flooding conditions can damage electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connections are extracted from the process-compartment and placed in the control-compartment through the rotatable connector interface. This separation removes the electrical connections from the flooding-prone process environment, protecting them from water damage while allowing the instrument to continue performing process control functions.
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 solution ensures reliable operation under high vibration and radiation conditions, prevents incorrect polarization, and maintains functionality during replacement, while providing a secure and sealed connection that withstands severe environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an instrument is provided with a thermal and nuclear radiation shield that encloses electronic circuitry
Implementation Method 2
a metal shield thickness of at least 10 mm
Implementation Method 3
The main body of the thermal and nuclear radiation shield is shaped to include shield threads that rotationally engage support conduit threads of a sensor module
Implementation Method 4
a shock protection annulus that protrudes from a main body of the thermal and nuclear radiation shield. An electrical connector includes a key and is secured inside the shock protection annulus
Data Source
AI summary
In a nuclear installation, an instrument (100) includes a sensor module (110) connected to a process flange (104, 106). The sensor module (110) includes a support conduit (120) with support conduit threads (122). An electronic circuit (126) is wired to a connector (128) that includes a key (133) that is aligned with field circuit contacts of the connector (128). A thermal and nuclear radiation shield (134) encloses the electronic circuit (126) and includes a shock protection annulus (136). The connector (128) is secured inside the shock protection annulus. The thermal and nuclear radiation shield (134) includes shield threads (237) that rotatably engage the support conduit threads (122) to rotate an alignment of the key (133) relative to the process flange.