Reactor Measurement Pipe Maintenance Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement pipes in jet pump systems of boiling water reactors face significant stress due to fluid oscillation, making them susceptible to cracks and ruptures, and are difficult to repair robustly from above the reactor core in narrow, radiation-controlled spaces.
Innovation Solution
A reactor measurement-pipe maintenance clamp apparatus with a body frame and clamp mechanisms that allow remote-controlled clamping of measurement pipes to diffusers, using wedge mechanisms to generate clamping forces and reduce stress on welded portions, facilitating robust fixation and reduced radiation exposure during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If measurement pipes are fixed in narrow spaces during maintenance, then fixation reliability is improved, but operator radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the measurement pipe and the diffuser, enabling remote fixation operations. The clamp apparatus includes a body frame with clamp mechanisms that can be positioned and operated from above the reactor core, reducing direct operator exposure to radiation in narrow spaces while maintaining reliable fixation of the measurement pipe to the diffuser.
2Reliability
If clamp mechanisms are added to improve fixation, then fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp apparatus is segmented into distinct functional modules: a body frame structure, clamp mechanisms for gripping the measurement pipe, and wedge mechanisms for generating clamping forces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp mechanisms are integrated within the body frame structure, with wedge mechanisms nested within the clamp assembly. This nested arrangement compactly organizes multiple functional elements within the constrained space, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fixation reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If remote control is implemented, then radiation exposure is reduced, but operation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge mechanisms are designed to automatically generate clamping forces when the clamp mechanisms are positioned around the measurement pipe. This self-service feature reduces the complexity of remote operation, as the apparatus partially automates the clamping action through mechanical advantage, making remote control more manageable while still reducing radiation exposure.
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 reliable and efficient remote fixing of measurement pipes in narrow spaces, reducing stress on welded areas and minimizing radiation exposure for operators, thereby prolonging maintenance intervals without cracks or ruptures.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wedge mechanisms which convert the turning of the plurality of clamp operation bolts to displacement of the plurality of clamps in a radial direction of the diffuser to generate clamping forces for fixing the measurement pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A reactor measurement-pipe maintenance clamp apparatus includes a first clamp mechanism and a second clamp mechanism. The first clamp mechanism includes clamps to fix the measurement pipe between the clamps, first clamp operation bolts that are allowed to be turned by remote control from above a reactor core, and wedge mechanisms to convert the turning of the clamp operation bolts to displacement of the clamps in a radial direction of the diffuser to generate clamping forces for securing the measurement pipe. The second clamp mechanism includes a support clamp to hold the support, a second clamp operation bolt that is allowed to be turned by remote control from above the reactor core, and a wedge mechanism to convert the turning of the second clamp operation bolt to displacement of the support clamp in a tangential direction of the diffuser to generate clamping force for fixing the support.