Weldless Universal Clamps for BWR Sparger T-Box Repairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sparger T-box welds in Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) are prone to cracking due to high temperature, pressure, and radiation exposure, leading to potential coolant leakage and challenging remote repairs, with current repair mechanisms being incompatible across different reactor configurations.
Innovation Solution
Universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps that can be secured without welding, allowing for remote-friendly operation and accommodating various sparger T-box configurations, providing redundancy and minimizing stress on welds to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to secure sparger pipes to T-box, then strong structural connection is achieved, but welds are susceptible to cracking under high temperature, pressure, and radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding mechanical system with a clamp-based mechanical fastening system. The clamp assembly uses bolts, nuts, and clamping forces to secure the sparger pipes to the T-box, eliminating the need for welds that are susceptible to radiation-induced cracking and thermal stress failures.
2Manufacturing precision
If repair mechanisms are designed for specific sparger T-box configurations, then precise fit and function are achieved, but compatibility across different reactor configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with universal adaptability to fit multiple sparger T-box configurations found in different Boiling Water Reactor designs. The clamp incorporates adjustable features and standardized mounting interfaces that allow it to be installed on various T-box geometries without requiring configuration-specific custom designs, thereby achieving both precision fit and broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly includes adjustable and modular components that can be dynamically configured to match different T-box geometries. The clamping mechanism allows for position adjustments and flexible mounting options, enabling the same clamp design to adapt to various reactor configurations while maintaining secure attachment.
3Ease of repair
If weld repairs are performed inside the shroud, then direct access to welds is possible, but worker hazards and repair complexity increase due to remote access limitations
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing welds with clamp-based mechanical fastening, the patent eliminates the need for complex weld repair operations inside the shroud. The clamp assembly can be installed and maintained using simpler mechanical procedures that are safer and more feasible to perform in the confined, high-radiation environment within the shroud.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments are directed to core spray sparger T-box repairs, specifically, to universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps having remote-friendly operation and methods of using universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps. Example embodiment clamps may be secured without welding to a variety of upper and lower sparger T-box configurations. Example embodiment clamps may be configured to simultaneously engage a sparger T-box in multiple dimensions to allow a universal fit. Further, example embodiment clamps may be accessed, installed, or removed by interacting only with a front side of the example embodiment clamps, thus potentially reducing difficulty and cost in remote access repairs to example clamps.