Reactor Vessel Nozzle Cutting With Integrated Debris Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Workers are exposed to radioactivity and face challenges in safely cutting nozzles of reactor vessels due to the dispersal of foreign substances during the cutting process, as existing methods require manual replacement of saw blades and lack effective substance collection.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a cutting unit equipped with saw blades of different contact areas and a foreign substance suction unit that uses rotary power to collect and contain foreign substances generated during cutting, minimizing exposure and preventing dispersal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual saw blade replacement is used for cutting nozzles, then cutting work can be performed, but worker exposure to radioactivity increases and working time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple types of saw blades (wire saw, band saw, circular saw) that can be selected and used based on different cutting requirements. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various nozzle cutting scenarios without requiring manual intervention for blade selection or replacement, thereby reducing working time and radiation exposure while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting machine is designed to automatically select and switch between different saw blade types based on the cutting task requirements, eliminating the need for manual blade replacement. This self-service capability reduces worker exposure to radioactivity and minimizes working time losses associated with manual intervention.
2Device complexity
If foreign substances are allowed to disperse during cutting, then cutting process is simpler, but worker safety is compromised due to radioactivity exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a suction device as an intermediary element between the cutting zone and the surrounding environment. This device actively captures and removes foreign substances generated during cutting, preventing their dispersal and reducing radioactivity exposure to workers, while maintaining a relatively simple cutting system design.
3Device complexity
If single cutting method is used for all nozzles, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to manual blade replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting machine integrates multiple saw blade types (wire saw, band saw, circular saw) into a single system, enabling it to handle various nozzle cutting requirements without manual intervention. This multi-functional design maintains relatively simple device architecture while significantly improving productivity by eliminating the need for manual blade replacement and optimization for different cutting scenarios.
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 machine effectively collects and contains foreign substances, reducing worker exposure to radioactivity and enhancing safety by stabilizing the cutting process without the need for manual saw blade replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit (200) providing the saw blade part (102) with rotary power
Implementation Method 2
a foreign substance suction unit (400) provided at one end of the cutting unit (100) in contiguity with the saw blade part (102) to suck foreign substances generated when the nozzle (3) is cut by the saw blade part (102)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a machine for cutting nozzles of reactor vessels. The machine for cutting nozzles of reactor vessels comprises a cutting unit positioned at an upper surface edge of a reactor vessel having a nozzle and having a saw blade part having different contact areas to cut the nozzle, a drive unit providing the saw blade part with rotary power, and a foreign substance suction unit provided at one end of the cutting unit in contiguity with the saw blade part to suck foreign substances generated when the nozzle is cut by the saw blade part, wherein the foreign substance suction unit sucks the foreign substances by approaching an outer peripheral surface of the nozzle when the saw blade part moves in a cutting direction of the nozzle.