Rotary Clamping Ring for Nuclear Tube Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for thermocouple columns in nuclear reactors suffer from asymmetrical clamping, risk of jamming, and require excessive time and force to operate, particularly problematic in environments with personnel exposure to ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device with a base and concentric clamping ring that uses guides and actuating members to uniformly clamp the tube edge through a rotational mechanism, allowing for efficient and simultaneous clamping of fingers, reducing the need for manual force and minimizing exposure to radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing devices use multiple separate cams for clamping, then the clamping mechanism can be activated, but asymmetrical clamping occurs leading to jamming risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cams into a single integrated clamping ring that rotates around the tube. This single ring with multiple fingers provides symmetrical clamping forces simultaneously, eliminating the asymmetrical clamping and jamming risks associated with multiple separate cams.
2Ease of operation
If multiple handles are used to activate each cam separately, then each cam can be actuated, but considerable force and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cam actuation functions into a single rotating ring mechanism. One rotational motion of the ring simultaneously actuates all clamping fingers, replacing the need for multiple separate handles and significantly reducing both the force required and the time needed for mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping fingers are pre-positioned around the tube in the unclamped state. When the ring rotates, all fingers are simultaneously moved into the clamped position, performing the clamping action in advance of any sequential operation that would be required with separate cams.
3Reliability
If conventional devices require careful alignment to avoid cam tilting, then proper sealing can be achieved, but operator skill and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple clamping functions into a single rotating ring with radially movable fingers. This unified structure inherently maintains symmetry and proper alignment during operation, eliminating the need for careful manual alignment of multiple separate components and reducing operator skill requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If excessive manual force is applied to turn handles, then cams can be actuated, but personnel exposure to radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple high-force cam actuation operations into a single low-force ring rotation. The mechanical advantage of the rotating ring mechanism distributes the required force across the entire circumference, allowing actuation with minimal manual force and thereby reducing personnel exposure time to radiation in nuclear environments.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing device (30) intended to be fixed against an edge of a tube and against a column. According to the invention, the body (3060) thereof comprises guides (3030), distributed around its cavity (316) between an inner side (3064) that opens into the cavity (316) and an outer side (3062) that opens out against a concentric clamping ring (305), mounted so as to rotate about the axis (A), fingers (303) integral with outer actuating members (3031) being guided in the guides (3030), the ring (305) having actuating zones (3051) that are able to be positioned against the members (3031) so as make the fingers (303) protrude into the cavity (316) by sliding in order to clamp the fingers (303) against the edge of the tube when the ring (305) and the base (306) are in a first position of relative rotation, the ring (305) and the base (306) being able to pass, by rotation about the axis (A), between the first position and a second position in which the zones (3051) are spaced apart from the members (3031) so as to allow the fingers (303) to be returned into the body (3060).