Shielded Canister for Nuclear Component Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nuclear reactor refueling processes require flooding for shielding, which is time-consuming, expensive, and not feasible in compact reactor designs, and involve complex motorized components and additional storage needs.

Innovation Solution

A refueling machine with a telescopic mast and shielded canister that allows for gamma radiation shielding during fuel movement without flooding or additional motorized components, using a bridge assembly and transfer cart with rotatable shielding to position and relocate fuel assemblies safely and efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional flooding methods are used for radiation shielding during refueling, then radiation protection is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidrefueling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shielding function from the flooding system and implements it through a dedicated shielded canister that moves with the fuel assembly. This separates the shielding requirement from the flooding infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment without time-consuming flood operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielded canister acts as an intermediary between the fuel assembly and the radiation field. It provides localized shielding exactly where needed during transfer operations, eliminating the need for extensive flooding while maintaining radiation protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional flooding methods are used for radiation shielding, then radiation protection is achieved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidrefueling cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding function is extracted from the expensive flooding infrastructure and consolidated into a compact, reusable canister. This eliminates the need for extensive flood control systems and reduces overall refueling costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielded canister is designed to be reused across multiple refueling operations. After each transfer, the canister is recovered and reused, eliminating the need for disposable shielding materials and reducing cumulative costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Volume of moving object

If compact reactor designs are used, then space efficiency is improved, but conventional flooding for shielding becomes infeasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactor footprintVSAvoidradiation shielding feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielded canister is nested within or integrated with the refueling machine structure. This compact nesting allows the shielding function to be incorporated into the limited space of small modular reactors without increasing the overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional flooding (requiring horizontal space) to three-dimensional localized shielding (vertical integration with the refueling machine). This dimensional change enables shielding in compact reactor designs where horizontal space is limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If additional motorized components are added for shielding, then shielding functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding functionalityVSAvoidmachine complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielded canister is merged with the refueling machine's existing telescopic mast and gripping mechanisms. This integration combines multiple functions (shielding, positioning, and fuel handling) into a single unified system, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielded canister serves multiple functions: it provides radiation shielding, acts as a transfer container, and integrates with the refueling machine's positioning system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated shielding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9922739B2Method for shielded relocation of a nuclear component

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A nuclear component transfer device that incorporates a shielded canister into the mast design of a conventional nuclear refueling machine. A moveable mast telescopes within a stationary mast which is attached to a bridge for lateral positioning. The canister allows for the addition of shielding that is positioned with the movement of the moveable mast without additional motorized components to deploy the shielding during nuclear component movement. The nuclear component is drawn up into the shielded canister as the moveable mast lifts the nuclear component. The nuclear component is then placed into a transfer cart that is also fitted with a shielded canister. The transfer is made without exposing the nuclear components resulting in completely shield movement.