Subrack Assembly Rigidifying Frame Seismic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic equipment in nuclear power plants, particularly in seismic regions, faces degradation or failure during earthquakes due to inadequate protection against high dynamic loads, posing catastrophic risks to reactor operation.
Innovation Solution
A subrack assembly with a rigidifying frame and adjustable connectors is designed to enhance the structural stiffness and resilience of electronic modules, featuring a front and rear crossbeam structure with transversal struts and movable blocks for secure attachment to the subrack, ensuring alignment and stability during seismic events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic equipment is mounted in standard subracks without additional rigidification, then the structure is simple and easy to assemble, but the equipment lacks sufficient protection against high dynamic loads during earthquakes
Solution Approach 1:
The rigidifying frame is divided into separate modular components (front crossbeam, rear crossbeam, side beams) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the rigidification system to be added to existing subracks without replacing the entire structure, thereby improving protection while limiting the increase in overall complexity to only the additional rigidification components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates a movable block that can transition between an insertion position (spaced away from the subrack) and a use position (bears against the subrack). This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the rigidifying frame to be easily installed and removed, providing enhanced protection capability while maintaining operational flexibility and limiting permanent structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a rigidifying frame is added to the subrack, then the resonant frequencies increase and protection improves, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movable block in the connector enables a two-stage assembly process: first, the rigidifying frame components are positioned with the movable block in the insertion position (spaced away), allowing independent assembly of each component; second, the movable block is actuated to the use position to engage and rigidify the connection to the subrack. This dynamic approach simplifies the assembly process by allowing components to be assembled separately before final connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidifying frame components can be pre-assembled and positioned relative to each other before final connection to the subrack. The movable block mechanism allows the rigidifying frame to be preliminarily configured in a non-contact state, then subsequently engaged with the subrack in a single action, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process while achieving the desired rigidification.
3Strength
If the movable block is positioned in the use position, then secure connection to the subrack is achieved, but the connector occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The movable block transitions between a compact insertion position (spaced away from the subrack) and an extended use position (bears against the subrack). This dynamic positioning allows the connector to occupy minimal space during storage and transport (insertion position), then extend to provide secure connection when needed (use position), thereby balancing space occupation with connection strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A subrack assembly (1) comprising a subrack (3) comprising two top rails (9), two bottom rails (7) and side elements (5), at least one rigidifying frame (21) comprising a front crossbeam, a rear crossbeam and two side beams; and at least one connector (70) for connecting the rigidifying frame (21) to the top and/or bottom of the subrack (3), comprising at least one movable block movable in translation relative to the rigidifying frame (21) between an insertion position, in which it is spaced away from the subrack (3) and a use position, in which it bears against the subrack (3). The connector (70) is configured for connecting the rigidifying frame (21) to the top and/or bottom of the subrack (3) such that the front and rear crossbeams each extend substantially parallel to a top or bottom rail (7, 9) of the subrack (3) and in alignment therewith along a vertical direction.