Nuclear Reactor Reinforcement Assembly for Seismic Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear reactor upper structure designs face inefficiencies and risks during maintenance and earthquakes due to complex and time-consuming dismantling processes, which can lead to component damage and deformation.
Innovation Solution
An earthquake-resistant reinforcement assembly is introduced, featuring a double bracket shape with adjustable rods and a coupling pin system that increases contact area and disperses stress, allowing for enhanced tensile and torsional load handling, and a modular design that simplifies maintenance by integrating key components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional tie rod system is used for earthquake resistance, then the structure can provide basic seismic support, but the maintenance process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement assembly is divided into separate components (bracket, rods, coupling pins) that can be independently installed and maintained. The bracket is separable from the reactor upper structure, and rods can be individually replaced, enabling rapid maintenance without dismantling the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable rods with coupling pins that can be quickly reconfigured. The coupling pin design allows for rapid connection and disconnection of rods to the bracket, enabling dynamic adjustment and fast maintenance operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If a traditional tie rod system is used, then installation is simpler, but components are prone to damage and deformation during earthquakes
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin features a spherical head that fits into corresponding spherical recesses in the bracket and rods. This spherical connection allows for rotational movement and stress distribution, preventing component damage during seismic events while maintaining easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket and rods are pre-configured with coupling pin interfaces during manufacturing. The spherical connection geometry is pre-established, allowing for quick and accurate assembly during installation without complex alignment procedures, while ensuring durable connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bracket structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot withstand tensile and torsional loads during earthquakes
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs a three-dimensional cross-shaped configuration with vertical and horizontal members intersecting. This spatial arrangement provides structural rigidity in multiple directions, enabling the bracket to withstand complex tensile and torsional loads from earthquakes while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An earthquake-resistant reinforcement assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a rod of which one end is hinge-coupled to an upper structure; a combination pin which is formed at the other end of the rod and is extended to diametrically cross the rod; and a bracket which is provided on a partition wall of a nuclear reactor containment building and is coupled with the other end, wherein the bracket can withstand a tensile load and a torsional load by including first and second members which face each other and are extended in parallel to load the rod thereon, and groove portions which are formed at the first and second members to be coupled with the combination pin to form the shape of a double bracket.