• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Disclosed is a system for decoupling and coupling an upper end fitting of a nuclear fuel assembly. In the present invention, a lock insert, which is coupled to a guide hole formed on a flow channel plate of an upper end fitting of a nuclear fuel assembly and supports the upper end fitting, is characterized by comprising: a hollow body; and an insertion part provided in an upper portion of the body and inserted into the guide hole, wherein the insertion part is inserted into the guide hole by varying the circumference of the insertion part. According to the present invention, disassembly and reassembly of the upper end fitting of the nuclear fuel assembly and the lock insert are simplified to simplify and reduce the number of processes involved, and thus the system is effective for the maintenance and repair of the nuclear fuel assembly.
    公开号:EP3709312A1
    申请号:EP17931261.6
    申请日:2017-11-17
    公开日:2020-09-16
    发明作者:Joo Hong CHUN；Seong Soo Kim；Ba Leum KIM；Su Pil RYU；Nam Gyu Park；Jong Sung Yoo
    申请人:Kepco Nuclear Fuel Co Ltd；
    IPC主号:G21C19-00
    专利说明:
    [0001] The present invention relates generally to a system for decoupling and coupling an upper end fitting of a nuclear fuel assembly and, more particularly, to a fastening structure of a top nozzle and a lock insert for improving a performance of disassembling and reassembling the top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly. Background Art
    [0002] A nuclear reactor is a device made to be used for various purposes such as generating heat by artificially controlling a fission chain reaction of fissile material, producing radioisotopes and plutonium, or forming a radiation field.
    [0003] More specifically, in typical light water reactors, enriched uranium that has a ratio of uranium-235 increased to 2-5% is used. In order for nuclear fuel to be used in nuclear reactors, uranium is processed into cylindrical pellets weighing about 5g. Such pellets are charged into a zircaloy cladding tube, then one spring and helium gas are inserted into the cladding tube, and then a fuel rod is manufactured by welding an upper end cap of the cladding tube. The fuel rods finally form a nuclear fuel assembly and are burned by nuclear reactions in the reactor.
    [0004] FIG. 1 is a view showing a typical nuclear fuel assembly. With reference to FIG. 1, a nuclear fuel assembly 1 includes a skeleton, which is composed of a top nozzle 2, a bottom nozzle 4, spacer grids 6, guide thimbles 8, an instrumentation tube 12, and the like, and fuel rods inserted into and supported by the spacer grids 6.
    [0005] The spacer grids 6 are arranged in the nuclear fuel assembly 1 in a number of about 10 to 13 from an upper side to a lower side and are welded with the guide thimbles 8 having a length of 4 m. Assembling the nuclear fuel assembly 1 is completed by charging the fuel rods into the skeleton and then attaching and fixing the top nozzle 2 and the bottom nozzle 4. In other words, the nuclear fuel assembly 1 is arranged such that the fuel rods are maintained at a constant distance between the top nozzle 2 and the bottom nozzle 4 by the spacer grids 6 and the guide thimbles 8 as shown in FIG. 1.
    [0006] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a typical top nozzle 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the top nozzle 2 includes a flow channel plate 24, and the flow channel plate 24 includes a instrumentation fixing hole 26 to which the instrumentation tube is fixed, guide holes 22 to which top nozzle is coupled, and flow channel holes 28 through which coolant flows.
    [0007] During the operation of the reactor, hydraulic uplift force due to the flow of coolant may be applied to the nuclear fuel assembly 1, thereby causing the assembly to be raised or vibrated. In addition, the nuclear fuel assembly may be subjected to an axial length change due to thermal expansion by an increase in temperature or due to irradiation growth and creep of the nuclear fuel cladding tube by long-term neutron irradiation. At this time, the top nozzle 2 is coupled to the guide thimbles to support a load of an axial direction, thereby functioning to maintain mechanical and structural stability of the nuclear fuel assembly.
    [0008] On the other hand, the guide thimbles are usually coupled to the flow channel plate 24 together with the top nozzle insert to be firmly coupled to the flow channel plate 24 and are configured to be engaged into the top nozzle insert by a bulging process while coupling the top nozzle insert to the flow channel plate 24.
    [0009] FIG. 3 is a view showing an above-mentioned fastening structure of the top nozzle and the top nozzle insert generally used. The fastening structure 30 of the top nozzle and the top nozzle insert is configured such that the top nozzle insert 31 is inserted into the guide hole 22 provided in the flow channel plate 24 at a side below the guide hole 22, and in order to prevent the coupling of the top nozzle insert from being released, a lock tube 33 is inserted into an inner circumferential surface of the top nozzle insert at a side above the guide hole 22, thereby being fastened.
    [0010] However, when the top nozzle and the guide thimbles are separated from each other in a state of the above-described conventional configuration, it is not easy to dismantle and difficult to work remotely, because the top nozzle insert 31 and the lock tube 33 are provided being inserted into the guide hole 22 of the flow channel plate. Disclosure Technical Problem
    [0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fastening structure of a top nozzle and a lock insert for improving a performance of disassembling and reassembling the top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly. Technical Solution
    [0012] In order to accomplish the above objective, there may be provided a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to the present invention, the system including: a lock insert configured to support the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly by being coupled to a guide hole provided in a flow channel plate of the top nozzle, wherein the lock insert may include: a body in a hollow shape, and an insertion part provided on a top portion of the body and configured to be inserted into the guide hole, wherein a circumference of the insertion part may be variable in size, thereby being capable of being inserted into the guide hole.
    [0013] The guide hole may include: a latching step provided at an upper portion of an inner circumferential surface of the guide hole and configured to fix the lock insert; and a latching groove provided at a predetermined portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole and configured to fix the lock insert.
    [0014] In addition, the insertion part may include: a first latching member fixed by being brought into contact with the latching step; and a second latching member fixed by being brought into contact with the latching groove.
    [0015] The insertion part may be provided with at least one predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the insertion portion, and the circumference of the insertion part may be variable in size as much as the predetermined interval.
    [0016] The insertion part may be provided with at least one insertion member at a predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the insertion portion, and the circumference of the insertion part may be variable in size as much as the predetermined interval.
    [0017] Meanwhile, the system may further include: a separation part configured to separate the top nozzle and the lock insert from each other, wherein the separation part comprises a separation member configured to separate the lock insert from the guide hole and a fixing member configured to fix and lift the top nozzle.
    [0018] In addition, the separation member may provide a predetermined accommodation space, and one side of the insertion part of the lock insert may be inserted into the accommodation space, whereby the circumference of the insertion part of the lock insert may be variable in size.
    [0019] In addition, one end of the fixing member may be provided with a fixing latching member to be brought into contact with a bottom surface of the flow channel plate, thereby lifting the top nozzle. Advantageous Effects
    [0020] As described above, according to the present invention, disassembly and reassembly of the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly and the lock insert are simplified, thereby simplifying and reducing the number of processes involved therein. Accordingly, the system is effective for maintenance and repair of the nuclear fuel assembly.
    [0021] In addition, the number of parts is reduced to increase the handleability, so that it is easy to work remotely for repairing a nuclear fuel assembly.
    [0022] In addition, it is possible to prevent the parts from being broken away from each other during the work for coupling and disassembling of the top nozzle and the guide thimble.
    [0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly recognized by those skilled in the art from the following description. Description of Drawings
    [0024] FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall configuration of a typical nuclear fuel assembly. FIG. 2 is a view showing a top nozzle of a typical nuclear fuel assembly. FIG. 3 is a view showing a fastening structure of the top nozzle and a lock insert of a typical nuclear fuel assembly. FIG. 4 is a view showing a lock insert of a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view showing a fastening structure of a lock insert of the system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing an overall configuration of a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode
    [0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail. It should be noted that the same elements in drawings are denoted by the same numerals wherever possible. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obfuscate the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted.
    [0026] In addition, various changes may be made to the embodiments described below. The examples described below are not intended to be limiting the embodiments but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes therefor.
    [0027] In addition, that a circumference of an insertion part of the present invention may be variable in size implies that the circumference is varied in the size by applying external force to an outer surface of a first latching member. For the convenience of description, size of a circumference of an insertion part or size of a circumference of the first latching member is used according to each of the embodiments of the invention, but each of the above should be understood to mean the size of the same circumference.
    [0028] Herebelow, descriptions will be given logically according to the drawings.
    [0029] FIG. 2 is a view showing a top nozzle of a typical nuclear fuel assembly, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a lock insert of a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    [0030] With reference to FIG. 2, the top nozzle 2 of the typical nuclear fuel assembly includes a guide hole 22, a flow channel plate 24, an instrumentation fixing hole 26, and a flow channel hole 28, and is configured to be a structure in which such holes are provided in the flow channel plate 24. Hereinafter, descriptions overlapping with the above description with respect to each of components will be omitted.
    [0031] With reference to FIG. 4, the lock insert 40 of the present embodiment includes an insertion part 410 and a body 430, wherein the insertion part 410 includes a first latching member 411, a second latching member 413, and an insertion member 415.
    [0032] On the other hand, taking a look at each of the components or coupling between the components, the body 430 is provided in a hollow shape for supporting the top nozzle, and the insertion part 410 is provided on a top portion of the body 430, thereby being inserted into the guide hole 22.
    [0033] More specifically, the circumference of the insertion part 410 is configured to be variable in the size, thereby being inserted into the guide hole 22. Therefore, the insertion part 410 may be made of an elastic material so that the circumference thereof may vary in the size or may be configured to have a structure in which at least one predetermined interval is provided, whereby the circumference of the insertion part is variable in size as much as the predetermined interval. Alternatively, the insertion part 410 may be configured to have a structure in which at least one insertion member 415 is provided at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction, whereby the circumference of the insertion part is varied in the size as much as the predetermined intervals between the insertion members 415.
    [0034] On the other hand, according to the above-described configuration of the present embodiment, the circumference of the insertion part 410 of the lock insert 40 is variable in the size, whereby the insertion part is easily inserted into the guide hole 22. Here, the first latching member 411 is provided at one side of the insertion part 410, and the second latching member 413 is provided at a middle portion of the insertion part 410. Accordingly, the insertion part is inserted into the guide hole 22, thereby fixing the lock insert 40 to the flow channel plate 24.
    [0035] In addition, disassembly of the lock insert 40 from the flow channel plate 24 may also be performed by varying the size of the circumference of the insert part 410 and then by lifting the body 430 or the top nozzle 2.
    [0036] FIG. 5 is a view showing a fastening structure of a lock insert of a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    [0037] With reference to FIG. 5, the fastening structure 50 of the lock insert of the present embodiment includes a first latching member 511, a second latching member 513, a latching step, and a latching groove 541. More specifically, the latching step is provided at an upper portion of an inner circumferential surface of a guide hole, and the latching groove 541 is provided at a predetermined portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole.
    [0038] Taking a look at each of the above-described components or coupling between the components, the first latching member 511 is brought into contact with the latching step provided at the upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole, thereby fixing a flow channel plate 54, and the second latching member 513 is brought into contact with the latching groove 541 provided at the predetermined portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole, thereby fixing the flow channel plate 54.
    [0039] In addition, the latching step has a size of a circumference greater than a size of a circumference provided by the first latching member 511. By using a space provided due to a difference of the above-mentioned circumferences between an outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 511 and an inner circumference of the latching step, the size of the outer circumference of the first latching member 511 may be varied, thereby allowing the lock insert and the flow channel plate 54 to be separated from each other.
    [0040] In addition, a surface that the first latching member 511 and the latching step are brought into contact with each other may be provided in a range that does not restrict to vary the size of the circumference of the first latching member 511 by applying external force to an outer side of the first latching member 511. That is, the first latching member 511 may include various shapes each of which does not act as an element restricting a variation of the size of the circumference of the first latching member 511.
    [0041] FIG. 6 is a view showing an overall configuration of a system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    [0042] With reference to FIG. 6, the system 60 of the present embodiment includes an insertion part 610, a separation part 630, and a flow channel plate 64, of the lock insert. More specifically, the insertion part 610 may include a first latching member 611 and a second latching member 613, the separation part 630 may include a separation member 631, a fixing member 633, and a fixing latching member 6331, and the flow channel plate 64 may include a fixing hole 643.
    [0043] Taking a Look at each of the above-described components or coupling between the components, the insertion part 610 is inserted penetrating through a guide hole provided in the flow channel plate 64, wherein the first latching member 611 is brought into contact with a latching step provided at an upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole, thereby fixing the flow channel plate 64, and the second latching member 613 is brought into contact with a latching groove provided at a predetermined portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole, thereby fixing the flow channel plate 64.
    [0044] The separation part 630 is inserted into the guide hole and the fixing hole 643 provided in the flow channel plate 64, wherein the separation member 631 is configured to provide a space accommodating the outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 611 provided at an upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole of the flow channel plate 64. That is, when the structure of the first latching member 611 is changed to an extent that may be embodied by those skilled in the art, the internal space of the separation member 631 may also have a different shape accordingly.
    [0045] In addition, the inner space of the separation member 631 may have at least one inclination on an inner circumferential surface thereof and size of the circumference of the inner space may include a shape having the circumference of at least one size according to the inclination.
    [0046] In addition, the fixing member 633 is inserted penetrating through the fixing hole 643 and allows the fixing latching member 6331 and a bottom surface of the flow channel plate 64 to be brought into contact with each other, thereby fixing the flow channel plate 64 and the separation part 630 to each other.
    [0047] Meanwhile, according to the above-described configuration of the present embodiment, the separation member 631 applies external force to the outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 611 while accommodating the outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 611. As the external force is applied to the outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 611, size of a circumference of the insertion part 610 may be varied to release the coupling between the lock insert and the flow channel plate 64.
    [0048] The separation member 631 may have different sizes of the inner circumference thereof due to the inclination, and the user may specify a variable size of the circumference of the insertion part 610 such that the separation member 631 accommodates the outer circumferential surface of the first latching member 611 by the different sizes of the circumference.
    [0049] As the separation part 630 is lowered, coupling of the lock insert and the flow channel plate 64 is released by the separation member 631, and the fixing member 633 is inserted penetrating through the fixing hole 643, whereby the fixing latching member 6331 is brought into contact with a bottom surface of the flow channel plate 64 and fixed.
    [0050] In addition, as the separation part 630 is lifted, the flow channel plate 64 is lifted together by the fixing member 633 and the fixing hole 643, whereby separation and removal of the lock insert and the flow channel plate 64 may be performed at the same time.
    [0051] On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings in the above description, and it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope without departing from the spirit of the present invention. <Description of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings>
    [0052] 1: Nuclear fuel assembly 2: Top nozzle4: Bottom nozzle 6: Spacer grid8: Guide thimble 12: Instrumentation tube22: Guide hole 24, 54, 64: Flow channel plate241: Groove 26: Instrumentation fixing hole28: Flow channel hole 30: Fastening structure31: Top nozzle insert 33: Lock tube40: Lock insert 410, 610: insertion part411, 511, 611: First latching member 413, 513, 613: second latching member415: Insertion member 430: Body50: Fastening structure of lock insert 541: Latching groove60: System for separating and coupling top nozzle of nuclear fuel assembly630: Separation part 631: separation member633: Fixing member 6331: Fixing latching member643: Fixing hole
    权利要求:
    Claims (8)
    [0001] A system for separating and coupling a top nozzle of a nuclear fuel assembly, the system comprising:a lock insert configured to support the top nozzle of the nuclear fuel assembly by being coupled to a guide hole provided in a flow channel plate of the top nozzle, wherein the lock insert comprises:
    a body in a hollow shape, and
    an insertion part provided on a top portion of the body and configured to be inserted into the guide hole, wherein a circumference of the insertion part is variable in size, thereby being capable of being inserted into the guide hole.
    [0002] The system of claim 1, wherein the guide hole comprises:
    a latching step provided at an upper portion of an inner circumferential surface of the guide hole and configured to fix the lock insert; and
    a latching groove provided at a predetermined portion of the inner circumferential surface of the guide hole and configured to fix the lock insert.
    [0003] The system of claim 2, wherein the insertion part comprises:
    a first latching member fixed by being brought into contact with the latching step; and
    a second latching member fixed by being brought into contact with the latching groove.
    [0004] The system of claim 1, wherein the insertion part is provided with at least one predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the insertion portion, andthe circumference of the insertion part is variable in size as much as the predetermined interval.
    [0005] The system of claim 1, wherein the insertion part is provided with at least one insertion member at a predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the insertion portion, andthe circumference of the insertion part is variable in size as much as the predetermined interval.
    [0006] The system of claim 1, further comprising:a separation part configured to separate the top nozzle and the lock insert from each other, wherein the separation part comprises a separation member configured to separate the lock insert from the guide hole and a fixing member configured to fix and lift the top nozzle.
    [0007] The system of claim 6 wherein the separation member provides a predetermined accommodation space, and one side of the insertion part of the lock insert is inserted into the accommodation space, whereby the circumference of the insertion part of the lock insert is variable in size.
    [0008] The system of claim 6, wherein one end of the fixing member is provided with a fixing latching member to be brought into contact with a bottom surface of the flow channel plate, thereby lifting the top nozzle.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US4675154A|1987-06-23|Nuclear fuel assembly with large coolant conducting tube
    CN101223607B|2012-05-16|Advanced gray rod control assembly
    US3607639A|1971-09-21|Fuel assembly for nuclear reactors
    US3481832A|1969-12-02|Nuclear reactor core and control element arrangement
    US4508679A|1985-04-02|Nuclear fuel assembly spacer
    US7139360B2|2006-11-21|Use of boron or enriched boron 10 in UO2
    US4285769A|1981-08-25|Control cell nuclear reactor core
    US7085340B2|2006-08-01|Nuclear reactor fuel assemblies
    US3255091A|1966-06-07|Fuel arrangement for a nuclear reactor
    US4208248A|1980-06-17|Fuel assembly with a removable end fitting
    US3957575A|1976-05-18|Mechanical design of a light water breeder reactor
    JP5424376B2|2014-02-26|Reactor control rod spider assembly
    JP2006313145A|2006-11-16|Restricted assembly in core and reactor core
    EP3511945B1|2020-09-09|A fuel assembly for a light water nuclear reactor
    US5068083A|1991-11-26|Dashpot construction for a nuclear reactor rod guide thimble
    US3992259A|1976-11-16|Fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor
    US4617171A|1986-10-14|Device for fixing a guide tube in a recess on the end fitting of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
    US6275556B1|2001-08-14|Method and apparatus for preventing relative rotation of tube members in a control rod drive mechanism
    US20090296875A1|2009-12-03|Fuel supports for nuclear reactors
    EP1012852B1|2003-08-27|Nuclear fuel assembly
    US4030975A|1977-06-21|Fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor
    US7672418B2|2010-03-02|Control rod guide tube and method for providing coolant to a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
    KR101541546B1|2015-08-03|Nuclear fuel assembly with a lock-support spacer grid
    EP0425856A1|1991-05-08|Fuel assembly and rod for optimal fuel utilization
    US7668280B2|2010-02-23|Nuclear fuel assembly
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    KR102059466B1|2019-12-27|
    WO2019093562A1|2019-05-16|
    US20200373032A1|2020-11-26|
    KR20190056455A|2019-05-27|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2019-05-18| STAA| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent|Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
    2020-08-14| PUAI| Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase|Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
    2020-08-14| STAA| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent|Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
    2020-09-16| 17P| Request for examination filed|Effective date: 20200416 |
    2020-09-16| AK| Designated contracting states|Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
    2020-09-16| AX| Request for extension of the european patent|Extension state: BA ME |
    2021-01-27| RIN1| Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)|Inventor name: YOO, JONG SUNG Inventor name: PARK, NAM GYU Inventor name: KIM, BA LEUM Inventor name: CHUN, JOO HONG Inventor name: RYU, SU PIL Inventor name: KIM, SEONG SOO |
    2021-02-17| DAV| Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)|
    2021-02-17| DAX| Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)|
    2021-08-18| RIC1| Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant|Ipc: G21C3/33 20060101AFI20210712BHEP Ipc: G21C 19/10 20060101ALI20210712BHEP Ipc: G21C 19/105 20060101ALI20210712BHEP |
    2021-12-15| A4| Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched|Effective date: 20211111 |
    2021-12-15| RIC1| Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant|Ipc: G21C 19/105 20060101ALI20211105BHEP Ipc: G21C 19/10 20060101ALI20211105BHEP Ipc: G21C3/33 20060101AFI20211105BHEP |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    [返回顶部]