Reactor Vessel Stud Tensioner Trolley to Replace Overhead Cranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing nuclear power generation systems require large and expensive overhead cranes for tensioning and detensioning studs of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, which increases construction costs and poses safety risks due to the need for significant vertical lifting and large containment structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a trolley to support a stud tensioner device, allowing it to be moved across a movement surface to deploy near the reactor vessel, eliminating the need for cranes and reducing containment height, with features like tracks or rails for guided movement and automated handling to ensure safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If overhead cranes are used for tensioning and detensioning closure studs, then the capability to perform maintenance and refuelling operations is enabled, but construction costs increase and safety risks arise due to large containment structures and significant vertical lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical lifting operations (crane-based) to horizontal transport operations (trolley-based). The stud tensioning device is moved horizontally along a runway structure at a lower level, eliminating the need for significant vertical lifting and large containment structures while maintaining the capability to service the reactor vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a crane to lift the stud tensioning device vertically to the reactor vessel, the patent inverts the approach by using a trolley to transport the device horizontally along a runway structure positioned at a lower level, thereby achieving the same operational capability with reduced structural requirements.
2Productivity
If polar cranes are used to lift heavy components and radioactive internals, then maintenance and refuelling can be performed, but the crane structure becomes large and heavy requiring expensive installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vertical crane operations with horizontal trolley operations. The trolley travels along a runway structure positioned horizontally near the reactor vessel, eliminating the need for heavy vertical lifting capability while maintaining access to the vessel for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version of the crane function using a trolley-based system. Instead of a full overhead crane capable of vertical lifting, a lighter trolley system copies the essential function of positioning and servicing the reactor vessel horizontally, reducing weight and structural requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If significant vertical lifting is performed by overhead cranes, then closure studs can be tensioned and detensioned, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the lifting approach by replacing vertical crane operations with horizontal trolley operations. This eliminates significant vertical lifting and associated safety risks while maintaining the capability to tension and detension closure studs through the stud tensioning device.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the stud tensioning device horizontally along a runway structure rather than vertically via crane, the patent eliminates the safety risks associated with significant vertical lifting operations while preserving the essential function of securing the reactor vessel head.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of tensioning/detensioning closure studs of a nuclear reactor vessel. The closure studs are spaced about a circumference of the reactor vessel so as to attach an integrated head package (IHP) of the reactor vessel to a body of the reactor vessel. The method comprises supporting a first stud tensioner device on a trolley, moving the trolley across a movement surface from a stored position to a deployment position adjacent the reactor vessel, engaging the first stud tensioner device with one or more of the closure studs, and operating the first stud tensioner device to tension/detension the one or more closure studs.