GB2031490A

GB2031490A - Arrangement for protecting a water-bearing construction against water pressure waves

Info

Publication number: GB2031490A
Application number: GB7932258A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Kraftwerk Union AG
Current assignee: Kraftwerk Union AG
Priority date: 1978-09-18
Filing date: 1979-09-18
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: BR7905930A; DE2840593A1; DE2840593C2; GB2031490B; FR2436292B1; AR232055A1; PT70176A; FR2436292A1; ES484212A1

Abstract

In nuclear power stations in particular, waste heat is given off in many cases to river or sea water. For this purpose water-bearing constructions (channels etc.) are necessary, through which the water flows to and from the nuclear power stations. In order to protect these constructions against pressure waves, which can occur for example when an explosion takes place underwater, a chamber (3) is provided in the channel with plates (5) which are arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in said left chamber. These plates are coated on both sides with an elastic foam material (7), so that pressure waves are absorbed effectively in the chamber (3) (Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Arrangement for protecting a water-bearing construction against water pressure waves The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting a water-bearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a channel.

In nuclear power stations in particular, large water-bearing constructions, provided for carrying away the waste heat to water reservoir, may be subject of an explosive impact or underwater explosions may take place in them because of an accident. The result of explosions of this kind-as the water is essentially imcompressible-are water pressure waves, which can damage the walls of the channel and other structures disposed in the water inside the nuclear power station.

According to the invention there is provided an arrangement for protecting a water (or other liquid)-bearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a chan nel, wherein there is situated in the channel a chamber in which several plates are situated for the suppression of pressure waves, the planes of the plates being arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in said chamber and the plates being covered with elastic foam material.

Preferably, the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the channel. The covering of elastic foam material may be cov ered with a water-tight protective layer. To enable the plates to be lifted upwardly for inspection and/or replacement, the plates can be supported by upright bars which enclose the upright edges of the plates and serve as guides for the plates. In one arrangement, some of the plates are arranged in mutually parallel, spaced apart, relationship while oth ers of the plates at an outlet end of the chamber are arranged in mutually inclined relationship.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompany ing drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of protection arrangement against water pressure waves propagating along a channel, Figure 2 is a plan view of the protection arrangement, and Figure 3 is a plan view on a large scale of one of a number of plates used for pressure suppression.

A chamber 3, the width of which is larger than that of a channel 1, is situated in the channel, filled with water, behind a rake 2.

Disposed in the chamber 3 are upright bars 4 which enclose the narrow upright edges of vertical plates 5, several of which are disposed in mutually parallel, spaced apart, relationship while others (two plates 5) are arranged at the outlet end of the chamber in mutually inclined relationship. In both cases, the plates are arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in the chamber.

As shown in Fig. 3, the plates 5 each consist of a carrier plate 6, which is coated on both sides with a layer of elastic foam material 7.

The exposed surface of each layer of elastic foam material is covered with a water-tight protective layer 8.

As shown in Fig. 1, a chamber 3 is open at the top, so that the individual plates can be lifted out upwards in the direction of the dotted arrow 9 from the bars 4, which then serve as guides, with the help of a crane while the plant is in operation and then be inspected and/or renewed.

The distance a separating two plates from one other is not much greater than the thickness of the layers of elastic foam material, which are situated on both sides of each substream 10 of the water. In this way, pressure waves, which are produced for example by an explosive charge 11 exploding on the rake 2 and which may be relatively large over a comparatively short stretch, and are suppressed effectively in chamber 3, so that only the short part of the water bearing channel 1 between the rake 2 and the chamber 3 needs to be constructed in such a manner that the walls can also endure large waves caused by an explosion.

1. An arrangement for protecting a water (or other liquid)-bearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a channel, wherein there is situated in the channel a chamber in which several plates are situated for the suppression of pressure waves, the planes of the plates being arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in said chamber and the plates being covered with elastic foam material.

2. A protective arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the channel.

3. A protective arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the covering of elastic foam material is covered with water-tight protective layer.

4. A protective arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the plates are supported by upright bars which enclose the upright edges of the plates and serve as guides to enable the plates to be lifted upwardly from the bars for inspection and/or replacement.

5. A protective arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein some of the plates are arranged in mutually parallel, spaced apart relationship while others of the plates at an outlet end of the chamber are arranged in mutually inclined relationship.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Arrangement for protecting a water-bearing construction against water pressure waves The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting a water-bearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a channel. In nuclear power stations in particular, large water-bearing constructions, provided for carrying away the waste heat to water reservoir, may be subject of an explosive impact or underwater explosions may take place in them because of an accident. The result of explosions of this kind-as the water is essentially imcompressible-are water pressure waves, which can damage the walls of the channel and other structures disposed in the water inside the nuclear power station. According to the invention there is provided an arrangement for protecting a water (or other liquid)-bearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a chan nel, wherein there is situated in the channel a chamber in which several plates are situated for the suppression of pressure waves, the planes of the plates being arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in said chamber and the plates being covered with elastic foam material. Preferably, the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the channel. The covering of elastic foam material may be cov ered with a water-tight protective layer. To enable the plates to be lifted upwardly for inspection and/or replacement, the plates can be supported by upright bars which enclose the upright edges of the plates and serve as guides for the plates. In one arrangement, some of the plates are arranged in mutually parallel, spaced apart, relationship while oth ers of the plates at an outlet end of the chamber are arranged in mutually inclined relationship. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompany ing drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of protection arrangement against water pressure waves propagating along a channel, Figure 2 is a plan view of the protection arrangement, and Figure 3 is a plan view on a large scale of one of a number of plates used for pressure suppression. A chamber 3, the width of which is larger than that of a channel 1, is situated in the channel, filled with water, behind a rake 2. Disposed in the chamber 3 are upright bars 4 which enclose the narrow upright edges of vertical plates 5, several of which are disposed in mutually parallel, spaced apart, relationship while others (two plates 5) are arranged at the outlet end of the chamber in mutually inclined relationship. In both cases, the plates are arranged in parallel disposition with the path of the channel in the chamber. As shown in Fig. 3, the plates 5 each consist of a carrier plate 6, which is coated on both sides with a layer of elastic foam material 7. The exposed surface of each layer of elastic foam material is covered with a water-tight protective layer 8. As shown in Fig. 1, a chamber 3 is open at the top, so that the individual plates can be lifted out upwards in the direction of the dotted arrow 9 from the bars 4, which then serve as guides, with the help of a crane while the plant is in operation and then be inspected and/or renewed. The distance a separating two plates from one other is not much greater than the thickness of the layers of elastic foam material, which are situated on both sides of each substream 10 of the water. In this way, pressure waves, which are produced for example by an explosive charge 11 exploding on the rake 2 and which may be relatively large over a comparatively short stretch, and are suppressed effectively in chamber 3, so that only the short part of the water bearing channel 1 between the rake 2 and the chamber 3 needs to be constructed in such a manner that the walls can also endure large waves caused by an explosion. CLAIMS

6. An arrangement for protecting a waterbearing construction against water pressure waves propagating along a channel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. Protective device for water-bearing constructions against pressure waves, wherein a chamber is provided for the suppression of pressure in which several mutually parallel plates are situated, the planes of the plates are arranged parallel to the flow direction of the water, and the plates are coated with elastical foam material.

8. Protective device according to claim 7, wherein the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the water-bearing channel in the water-bearing construction.

9. Protective device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the layer of elastical foam material is covered with a water-tight protective layer.

10. Protective device according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the plates are guided in vertical bars which enclose the narrow sides of the plates.