Pressurizer Spray Valve Closed-Loop Control With Signal Priority

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to ensure stable control of the pressurizer spray valve in nuclear power plants using electromagnetically driven control valves, which require both opening-closing and regulating closed-loop control, to maintain safe and stable operation under various conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a valve regulating control loop and a valve opening-closing control loop, with specific modules for signal conditioning, priority control, and closed-loop regulating control, including anti-reverse modules to prevent reverse current, ensuring stable operation of the electromagnetically driven valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pressurizer spray valve is changed from pneumatic control to electromagnetic-driven control to reduce air supply in containment, then the air supply requirement is reduced, but the control stability and reliability deteriorate because electromagnetic valves traditionally only perform opening-closing control without regulating closed-loop control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply reductionVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic-driven valve is upgraded from static opening-closing control to dynamic regulating closed-loop control, enabling continuous adjustment of valve opening degree based on real-time feedback from position detection signals and pressure signals, thereby maintaining control stability while using electromagnetic actuation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A closed-loop control system is implemented with position detection modules that provide real-time feedback on valve opening degree to the control module, which adjusts the electromagnetic valve's opening degree accordingly. Additionally, pressure signal feedback from the pressurizer enables automatic regulation to maintain primary-loop pressure within acceptable ranges, ensuring control reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If a valve positioner is used to control the pneumatic pressurizer spray valve, then the control function is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to complex piping and large space occupation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidpiping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional pneumatic control system with mechanical positioners, compressed air piping, and associated hardware is replaced with an electromagnetic-driven valve controlled by electrical signals. The control module receives digital control signals and position detection signals, processes them, and directly actuates the electromagnetic valve, eliminating the need for pneumatic piping and mechanical positioners, thereby reducing system complexity and space occupation

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the electromagnetically driven control valve performs both opening-closing and regulating closed-loop control, then the control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple control loops and control modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control module is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that can perform both opening-closing control and regulating closed-loop control based on different input signals. The same control module processes control signals, position detection signals, and pressure signals to execute different control modes, eliminating the need for separate control devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile control capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple control functions (opening-closing control, regulating control, position detection, and pressure control) are merged into a single integrated control module. The control module receives and processes various signals (control signals, position detection signals, pressure signals) and coordinates the electromagnetic valve's operation accordingly, simplifying the control system architecture while achieving comprehensive control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables full-open, full-close, and closed-loop regulating control of the pressurizer spray valve, ensuring stable operation and safe functioning of nuclear power plants by prioritizing control signals and compensating for temperature-induced resistance changes.

Implementation Method 1

the pressurizer spray valve has been changed from the pneumatic control valve of the second-generation unit to the electromagnetic-driven control valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP4502742B1Device and method for controlling pressurizer spray valve
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY LTD
  • EP4502742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4502742B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a pressure stabilizer spray. The device comprises: a valve regulating control loop and a valve opening-closing control loop, wherein the valve regulating control loop comprises a main control module and a signal conditioning module, the valve opening-closing control loop comprises a priority control module and a switch control module. The switch control module (21) and the priority control module (24) are respectively used for executing switch control and priority control: the signal conditioning module (13) is used for converting a position detection signal of a valve and then transmitting same to the main control module (12), and the main control module (12) is used for performing closed-loop adjustment control according to the position detection signal and a closed-loop adjustment instruction signal, By means of providing the valve switch control loop (20) and the valve adjustment control loop (10), full-opening control, full-closing control and closed-loop adjustment control can be performed on a electromagnetic drive valve, and stable control over the valve under various working conditions can be ensured, thereby ensuring the safe and stable operation of a nuclear power station.