Nuclear Reactor Module Servicing via Sensor Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for servicing nuclear reactor modules, such as refueling and maintenance, often require disassembly and inspection at the reactor's operating bay, which can be inconvenient and inefficient, especially when additional maintenance operations are needed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for decoupling sensors from a first receiver and coupling them to a second receiver, allowing the nuclear reactor module to be moved from an operating bay to a servicing area, where real-time monitoring of the module's parameters can be maintained through displays in the servicing area or operator area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the nuclear reactor module is serviced at the reactor bay, then the servicing can be performed with existing infrastructure, but the servicing process becomes complex and time-consuming due to disassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reactor module from its operating bay location and places it on a movable platform that can transport it to a dedicated servicing area. This separation allows servicing operations to be performed in a specialized environment without disrupting the operating reactor, thereby reducing servicing process complexity while maintaining infrastructure utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable platform as an intermediary device between the operating bay and the servicing area. This platform serves as a mediator that enables the reactor module to be transported and positioned appropriately for servicing operations, simplifying the overall servicing process by providing a dedicated transport and positioning mechanism.
2Productivity
If the nuclear reactor module is moved to a servicing area, then the servicing process becomes simpler and more efficient, but additional equipment and infrastructure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The movable platform is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transport mechanism and as a support structure during servicing operations. This universal device eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each function, thereby improving servicing efficiency without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (transport, positioning, and support during servicing) into a single integrated movable platform system. This merging of functions reduces the overall infrastructure requirements compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function, while still achieving improved servicing efficiency.
3Reliability
If sensors are decoupled from the first receiver and coupled to the second receiver, then continuous monitoring can be maintained during movement, but additional sensor connection infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second receiver as an intermediary device that temporarily accepts sensor signals during the transition period when the reactor module is moved from the operating bay to the servicing area. This mediator ensures continuous monitoring capability without requiring a complex direct reconnection of all sensors during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The second receiver essentially creates a copy or duplicate of the first receiver's function, allowing sensor signals to be captured and monitored during the transition. This copying approach maintains monitoring reliability without requiring complete reconfiguration of the sensor infrastructure, as the second receiver mirrors the functionality of the original receiver.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for servicing a nuclear reactor module comprises a crane operable to attach to the nuclear reactor module, wherein the crane includes provisions for routing signals from one or more sensors of the nuclear reactor module to one or more sensor receivers.