Nuclear Specimen Holder Gripping System with Integrated Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for handling nuclear material specimen holders in research reactors require complex and time-consuming operations for inserting and extracting tubes while maintaining a containment barrier, with existing solutions involving multiple parts and increased risks of seizing, which hinders efficient experimentation.
Innovation Solution
A gripping and locking/unlocking system with a gripper member and inner/outer tubes featuring a catching device with pivot hooks and elastic return mechanisms, allowing sealed locking and unlocking through translational movements, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex locking systems with multiple parts are used to maintain containment barrier, then reliability of sealing is improved, but device complexity increases and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking and sealing functions into a single integrated mechanism. The locking means simultaneously engages the inner tube with the outer tube and activates the sealing means, eliminating the need for separate locking and sealing operations. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining containment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing means is automatically activated by the locking means itself. When the locking means engages to secure the inner tube, it simultaneously triggers the sealing mechanism without requiring additional independent actions. The system serves itself by using the locking motion to activate sealing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate operations are used for locking and sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking operation and sealing operation into a single simultaneous action. The locking means and sealing means are configured so that one locking motion performs both functions at once, reducing the number of discrete steps required while ensuring containment integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism automatically activates the sealing mechanism through its own motion. The sealing means responds to the locking action without requiring separate control or additional time-consuming operations, making the system self-sufficient and faster.
3Reliability
If multiple separate operations are used for locking and sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (locking and sealing) into a single operational sequence. The operator performs one integrated action rather than multiple separate operations, simplifying the procedure while maintaining the reliability benefits of both locking and sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically coordinates the locking and sealing actions without requiring the operator to manage them separately. The locking means triggers the sealing means automatically, reducing operational complexity and making the process easier to execute reliably.
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 system enables reliable, quick, and safe handling of nuclear material specimen holders under high pressure, allowing for efficient experimentation by ensuring sealed containment and reducing the risk of breaking the containment barrier.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic return means for returning the gripping hook from a released position to its gripping position
Data Source
AI summary
A system for gripping an inner tube and locking/unlocking it into and from an outer tube concentric with the inner tube. The system according to the invention is provided with one or more catching devices which allow both sealed locking/unlocking of the inner tube to the gripper member and of the inner tube in the outer tube, achieving this with only a translational movement of the gripper member over a travel A or a travel B. The system according to the invention advantageously constitutes a system for inserting and extracting a specimen holder tube intended to house a specimen of nuclear materials, such as nuclear fuels, into and from a measurement instrumentation holder tube intended to house measurement sensors and a cooling system.