Nuclear Priority Management Interface Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing priority management systems (PMS) in nuclear power plants require extensive hard-wired connections to receive control instructions from different safety classes, leading to inconvenient engineering implementation and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

The integration of hard-wired interfaces, a safety class communication interface, and a non-safety class communication interface on a priority management device allows for direct reception of control instructions from various safety classes, eliminating the need for extensive hard-wiring and enhancing engineering applicability by establishing redundant communication links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hard-wired interfaces are used to receive control instructions from different safety classes, then the system can ensure reliable instruction transmission, but the engineering implementation becomes inconvenient and the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstruction transmission reliabilityVSAvoidhard-wired connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary component between the priority management device and external systems. This communication interface converts communication protocols and transmits instructions wirelessly, eliminating the need for extensive hard-wired connections while maintaining reliable instruction transmission from different safety classes (1E, 1+, 2, 3) to the priority management device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive hard-wired connections are used to connect non-safety class systems to safety class systems, then control instructions can be transmitted, but cabinet space is occupied and implementation becomes extremely inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibility across safety classesVSAvoidengineering implementation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The communication interface receives control instructions wirelessly from non-safety class systems (NC-DCS) and transmits them to the priority management device, eliminating the need for physical hard-wired connections across cabinet spaces while maintaining system compatibility across different safety classes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If multiple communication interfaces are integrated on a single priority management device, then the system can receive instructions from various safety classes without extensive hard-wiring, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of hard-wired connectionsVSAvoidinterface compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional communication interface that can handle multiple communication protocols and support instructions from various safety classes (1E, 1+, 2, 3) through a single integrated device. The communication interface is designed to be universally compatible with different safety class systems, allowing the priority management device to receive and process control instructions from diverse sources without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each safety class

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

Data Source

PatentEP3576103B1Nuclear power plant priority management system
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CHINA TECHENERGY
  • EP3576103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3576103B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a nuclear power plant priority management system. The nuclear power plant priority management system includes a priority management device, which is connected with hard-wired interfaces and a safety class instruction interface. The priority management device is further connected with a non-safety class communication interface via hard-wired interfaces, and the non-safety class communication interface is configured for connecting with a non-safety class system and receiving non-safety class device level control instructions from the non-safety class system. The nuclear power plant priority management system integrates hard-wired interfaces, a safety class instruction interface, and a non-safety class communication interface to facilitate in receiving control instructions from various safety class systems, providing favorable engineering applicability. Moreover, by directly connecting the non-safety class communication interface and the non-safety class system, there is no requirement of connecting a large amount of hardwire, so that the usability of the system in engineering implementation is greatly improved.