Underwater Container Wall Repair Device with Suction Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container walls, particularly in nuclear fuel storage pools, suffer from damage at weld seams due to chlorine-induced stress crack corrosion, which is difficult to repair under water without human access, as traditional methods struggle with positioning and application of adhesive materials.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controlled repair device with a carrier, repair die, and adhesive reservoir that secures to the container wall using suction pads, allowing for precise positioning and injection of a multi-component adhesive to seal and repair damaged areas, utilizing a positioning device like a submersible vehicle for inaccessible locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional repair methods are used for underwater container wall damage, then human operators can manually apply adhesive materials, but positioning and operation become extremely difficult and dangerous due to radiation protection requirements and water environment
Solution Approach 1:
The repair device is equipped with self-positioning capabilities through suction pads that automatically adhere to the container wall surface, and self-stabilization features that maintain proper orientation without continuous human intervention. The device can independently position itself over the damaged area using the suction pads to grip the wall surface securely.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical positioning by human operators is replaced with a remotely controllable mechanical system. The repair device is operated through remote control from a safe location, eliminating the need for human operators to physically position and maneuver the device in the hazardous underwater radiation environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a remotely controlled repair device is used to avoid human intervention in radiation zones, then safety is improved, but positioning precision and adhesive application accuracy become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
A remote control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the repair device. This intermediary system transmits control signals from the safe remote location to the underwater device, enabling precise control of positioning and adhesive application without direct human presence in the radiation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair device is divided into functionally independent modules: a positioning system with suction pads for secure attachment, an adhesive injection system with precise dosage control, and a repair die for controlled adhesive distribution. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function and controlled independently for enhanced precision.
3Strength
If multi-component adhesives are used to enhance repair durability, then repair strength is improved, but the complexity of adhesive mixing and application increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adhesive components are combined in a single integrated reservoir system on the repair device. The multi-component adhesive system is merged into one unified apparatus that automatically mixes and dispenses the components in the correct proportions, eliminating the need for separate storage and manual mixing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive components are pre-prepared and stored in the device's reservoir system in ready-to-use quantities. The mixing mechanism is pre-configured with the correct ratios and mixing parameters, so that when the repair is needed, the adhesive can be immediately mixed and applied without complex preparation steps.
4Productivity
If the repair device is designed with integrated adhesive reservoir and injection system, then repair efficiency is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repair device is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that combines positioning (suction pads), adhesive storage (reservoir), mixing, injection, and repair die functions in a single apparatus. This universality allows the device to perform all repair operations without requiring separate equipment, improving efficiency while managing weight through functional integration.
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
Enables efficient and safe underwater repair of container walls by allowing precise positioning and application of adhesive, ensuring effective sealing and protection of the repaired area without human intervention, facilitating the use of multi-component adhesives for enhanced durability.
Implementation Method 1
means 8 for securing the repair device 2 to the container wall 4
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for repairing damage to a container wall located under water. A repair device has a carrier having means for fastening the carrier to the container wall, a repair die that has at least one injection opening and at least one outlet opening and can be pressed against the container wall in a remotely controlled manner in order to cover the damage to the container wall and to seal off a chamber formed by the repair die and the container wall, a reservoir for an adhesive, a remotely controllable injection device is arranged on the carrier, which remotely controllable injection device is provided in order to inject adhesive from the reservoir into the injection opening of the repair die so that the chamber formed by the repair die and the container wall is filled by means of the adhesive.