Reactor Pipe Restraint Structure for Burst Load Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduit structures in reactor pressure vessels, such as pipes, deteriorate over time due to corrosion and vibrational fatigue, posing a risk of bursting and potentially damaging safety-related components, and existing solutions like cooling systems and bio-shield walls occupy valuable space and are not always effective.
Innovation Solution
A restraint device comprising collar parts, brackets, and rods is attached around the conduit structure, with Belleville washers and engineered-crush materials to absorb loads and limit breakage, allowing for space-efficient protection of safety components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling system pool and bio-shield wall are positioned between safety related components and conduit structure, then damage to safety related components is limited and prevented, but large footprint is occupied and valuable space is taken up
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device is nested around the conduit structure, with multiple collar parts encircling the conduit in a concentric arrangement. The brackets are attached to the nozzle structure, and rods connect the brackets to the collar parts, creating a compact nested configuration that protects the conduit without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional planar barrier (cooling system pool and bio-shield wall) to a three-dimensional circumferential restraint system. The collar parts wrap around the conduit structure in multiple directions, providing protection through volumetric containment rather than surface area occupation.
2Area of stationary object
If restraint device with collar parts, brackets, and rods is attached around conduit structure, then space-efficient protection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device is divided into multiple discrete collar parts that can be individually manufactured and assembled around the conduit structure. Each collar part can be independently positioned and secured, allowing for modular installation and maintenance while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected collar parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar parts serve multiple functions: they provide structural restraint, enable inspection access through removable design, and offer protection against conduit failure. The same collar part structure can be applied to different conduit sizes and locations, providing a universal solution that reduces overall system complexity through standardization.
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 restraint device effectively absorbs loads and contains breakage, reducing the risk of damage to safety components while minimizing space usage, allowing for easier maintenance and inspection.
Implementation Method 1
The restraint device may include one of Belleville washers between the portion of the conduit structure and at least one of the collar parts. The Belleville washers may be configured to absorb loads if the conduit structure breaks.
Implementation Method 2
The restraint device may include engineered-crush material between the portion of the conduit structure and at least one of the collar parts. The engineered-crush material may be configured to absorb loads if the conduit structure breaks.
Data Source
AI summary
A reactor pressure vessel includes a reactor pressure vessel body, a nozzle structure connected to the reactor pressure vessel body, a conduit structure connected to the nozzle structure, and a restraint device attached around a portion of the conduit structure. The restraint device includes collar parts that have cross sections corresponding to respective segments of a periphery of the portion of the conduit structure, brackets attached to the nozzle structure, and rods connecting the brackets to the collar parts. The collar parts are connected end-to-end to each other such that a cross section of the collar parts connected to each other corresponds to the periphery of the portion of the conduit structure. The collar parts are pinned to each other. The brackets spaced apart from each other around a periphery of the nozzle structure.