Stud Bolt Hole Cleaning and Inspection With Magnetic Wheel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning and inspecting stud bolt holes in nuclear reactors are inefficient, particularly in wet environments, and do not allow for systematic management of damage histories, leading to potential safety issues and radiation exposure for operators.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that includes a main body with a brushing unit, vacuum cleaner, and micro camera for dry and wet cleaning, along with naked eye inspection, using magnetic wheels for access and a controller for automatic and manual operation, enabling comprehensive management of stud bolt hole states and histories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual cleaning with electromotive brush is used, then cleaning can be performed in wet and dry environments, but operator radiation exposure increases and cleaning efficiency does not improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated robotic system that uses magnetic wheels for movement and automated brushing units for cleaning. This substitution eliminates operator exposure to radiation while maintaining cleaning capability in both wet and dry environments through programmable control modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cleaning system is designed to autonomously navigate to stud bolt holes, perform cleaning operations, and return to base without human intervention. The system self-manages its movement via magnetic attraction to the cylindrical surface, activates cleaning tools automatically, and collects debris through integrated vacuum mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated cleaning device is used, then operator safety improves, but cleaning capability in wet atmosphere is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic cleaning system incorporates multiple cleaning modes within a single device: dry cleaning using brush-only operation, wet cleaning using brush with water spray, and inspection mode using camera. The system can adapt to different atmospheric conditions by selecting appropriate cleaning modes, thereby maintaining versatility while ensuring operator safety through automation.
3Ease of operation
If individual cleaning and inspection operations are performed separately, then operational simplicity is maintained, but damage history management and comparative analysis are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges cleaning and inspection operations into a single integrated workflow. The robotic device performs cleaning, then automatically transitions to inspection mode using an integrated camera system to capture images of the cleaned area. Both operations are controlled through the same interface and stored in a unified database, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling comprehensive damage history management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where inspection images captured after cleaning are automatically analyzed and stored in a database. The system can retrieve previous inspection data for comparative analysis, providing feedback on cleaning effectiveness and damage progression over time. This feedback loop enables systematic damage history management without complicating the operational interface.
4Extent of automation
If magnetic wheels are used for accessing stud bolt holes, then automated navigation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses magnetic fields as an intermediary mechanism to enable automated navigation. Magnetic wheels on the robotic device interact with the ferromagnetic cylindrical surface of the pressure vessel, providing natural guidance and positioning without requiring complex mechanical guides or rails. This intermediary magnetic interaction simplifies the navigation system while achieving precise automated access to stud bolt holes.
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 system improves safety, reduces radiation exposure, enhances cleaning efficiency, and systematically manages stud bolt hole histories, ensuring airtightness and reducing operator fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
by using magnetic wheels and cleaning the holes
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cleaning and inspecting stud bolt holes, and managing damage histories of the stud bolt holes is disclosed. The system allows an operator to clean stud bolt holes to inspect the stud bolt holes with the naked eye, and manage damage histories of the stud bolt holes. The stud bolt holes fix a nuclear reactor, a nuclear reactor coolant pump head and a pressure vessel main body thereto.