GB2591527A

GB2591527A - Fuel assembly transport container and supporting assembly therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2591527A
Application number: GB2006154.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Li Qipeng; Wang Chao; Huang Hao; Zhu Guosheng; Hiu Yaofeng; Yu Jiuzhou; Wu Teng; Zhang Chi; Yin Zhiying; Wang Didong; Zhang Chunyan; Xu Junxiang; Cai Jin
Original assignee: China General Nuclear Power Corp; China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute Co Ltd; CGN Power Co Ltd
Current assignee: China General Nuclear Power Corp; China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute Co Ltd; CGN Power Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2018-11-26
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-26
Also published as: CN111095434B; WO2020107179A1; GB202006154D0; GB2591527B; CN111095434A

Abstract

A fuel assembly transport container and a supporting assembly (22) therefor. At least one accommodation cavity (4) for accommodating and holding a fuel assembly (3) is formed in the supporting assembly (22). The supporting assembly (22) comprises a frame (223), an outer cover plate (224) and an inner cover plate (227). The accommodation cavity (4) is bounded by the outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227). The frame (223) extends in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation cavity (4), and comprises a bottom wall (2231) and a sidewall (2232) provided at one side of the bottom wall (2231). Each of the outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227) has a semicircular shape. The inner cover plate (227) is provided within an included angle between the bottom wall (2231) and the sidewall (2232). The outer cover plate (224) is connected to an outer side of the sidewall (2232) away from the bottom wall (2231) and a longitudinal side of the bottom wall (2231). The outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227) form a cylindrical structure which defines therein the accommodation cavity (4) for accommodation of the fuel assembly (3). The curved structure enhances the strength of the outer cover plate (224) against forces exerted thereon, such that the outer plate remains stable even in the event of tipping or an impact caused by a fall, thereby resisting impacts and protecting the fuel assembly (3) inside the supporting assembly. The circularly curved outer plate (224) has a compact structure, thereby reducing requirements on an external loading structure.

Description

Fuel Assembly Transport Container and Support Assembly Thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical field of nuclear power, in particular to a fuel assembly transport container and a support assembly thereof.

Background Art

hi a fuel assembly transport container known in the prior art, a door set structure thereof for accommodating and supporting a fuel assembly adopts multi-sets of T-shaped beams as a main framework and multi-sets of L-shaped frames as door members, forming multi-sets of square cylindrical structure, which is vulnerable to deformation under a load.

Moreover, the existing door set structure is neither easy to disassemble, nor to open or close. The existing door set structure is complex, a neutron absorption plate is embedded in a skeleton of the door set structure, resulting complex installation and limited absorption capacity of the neutron absorption plate, thus the neutron absorption effect cannot be perfectly achieved.

Summary of the Invention

A technical problem to be solved in the present invention is to provide a fuel assembly transport container and a support assembly thereof A technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is to construct a support assembly of a fuel assembly transport container, wherein the support assembly defines at least one cavity for accommodating and securing a fuel assembly; the support assembly includes a bracket, an outer cover plate and an inner cover plate, and the outer cover plate and an inner cover plate together enclose the cavity; the bracket extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity, and includes a bottom wall and a side wall disposed on a side of the bottom wall; the outer cover plate and the inner cover plate are respectively semi-circular arc shaped, the inner cover plate is disposed in an angle defined by the bottom wall and the side wall; the outer cover plate is connected with an outer edge of the side wall which is away from the bottom wall, and a longitudinal edge of the bottom wall; the outer cover plate and the inner cover plate configure a cylindrical structure, and define one cavity for accommodating the fuel assembly.

Preferably, the outer cover plate is provided with a compressing structure for compressing or releasing the fuel assembly in the cavity.

Preferably, the compressing structure comprises an adjusting member penetrating through the outer cover plate, and a compressing member disposed on an inner side of the outer cover plate and connected with the adjusting member, and an axial position of the adjusting member is adjustable to drive the compressing member to compress or release the fuel assembly.

Preferably, the adjusting member is screwed to the outer cover plate.

Preferably, an inner side of the outer cover plate is provided with a support frame for positioning and supporting an outer surface of the fuel assembly; a side of the support frame towards the cavity is provided with a first support plate, and the first support plate defines a dodging opening for enabling the compressing member to move into the cavity, and a width of the compressing member is larger than that of a partition frame of the fuel assembly.

Preferably, two support frames are arranged on the inner side of the outer cover plate along a circumferential direction thereof, and each of the support frames extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity; at least two groups of the compressing structures along the longitudinal direction of the cavity are arranged on an area of each of the support frames corresponding to the outer cover plate; an inner side of the inner cover plate defines two positioning surfaces which are perpendicular to each other, a second support plate is provided on the positioning surface, the two positioning surfaces and the two support frames define the quadrate cavity to position two sides of the fuel assembly.

Preferably, semi-circular arc-shaped support beams are provided on an outer side of the outer cover plate along a circumferential direction thereof; at least two of the support beams arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cavity are provided on the outer side of the outer cover plate, and mounting positions of the compressing structures correspond to positions of the support beams.

Preferably, one edge of the outer cover plate is rotatably connected with the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall, and the outer cover plate is detachably connected with the outer edge of the side wall away from the bottom wall.

Preferably, a cross section of the bracket is half-cross shaped, and the outer cover plate and the side wall are disposed on a same side of the bottom wall; the support assembly comprises two outer cover plates disposed on two sides of the side wall and two inner cover plates positioned on two sides of the side wall, and a holding plate supporting the inner cover plate is provided in an angle defined by the bottom wall and the side wall; each outer cover plate is connected with the outer edge of the side wall which is away from the bottom wall, and the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall on the side where the outer cover plate is located, and the two outer cover plates and the inner cover plates on the two sides of the side wall defines two cavities for accommodating the fuel assembly, respectively.

A fuel assembly transport container, comprising the support assembly.

The fuel assembly transport container and the support assembly thereof have the following advantages: the arc-shaped outer cover plate can improve the stress strength of the outer cover plate, rendering a better stability under impact in case of rolling over or dropping, and enabling the outer cover plate to dodge the impact, thus protecting the fuel assembly inside. The circular arc shaped outer cover plate is compact in structure, thereby reducing requirements on an external carrier structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, and in the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel assembly transport container according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of the fuel assembly transport container of FIG. 1 when a support assembly thereof rises up; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of FIG. 1 when an upper housing is opened; FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the fuel assembly transport container of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the support assembly of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a buffer member of a buffer structure of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the support assembly of FIG. 4 when a cover plate thereof is flipped open; FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the support assembly of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an outer cover plate and assembled components on the outer cover plate of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lower end cover of FIG. 4; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the lower end cover of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. 11 when a baffle is opened; and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an upper end cover of FIG. 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order to render a more apparent understanding of technical features, objects and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a fuel assembly transport container in a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1 and a support structure 2 disposed in the housing 1, the support structure 2 includes a carrier 21 and a support assembly 22.

The carrier 21 is disposed inside the housing 1, and the support assembly 22 is disposed CM the carrier 21, two cavities 4 for accommodating and securing a fuel assembly 3 are defined in the support assembly 22, the fuel assembly 3 is generally a cylindrical structure. The support assembly 22 is capable of driving the fuel assembly 3 in the cavity 4 to be horizontally placed or to rise up.

Another end of the support assembly 22 is provided with a loading/unloading port 221, and when the support assembly 22 rises up, the loading/unloading port 221 is located at an upper end of the cavity 4, so that the fuel assembly 3 can be axially inserted into the cavity 4 via the loading/unloading port 221 or axially removed from the cavity 4 via the loading/unloading port 221.

One end of the cavity 4 away from the loading/unloading port 221 is provided with a lower end cover 225 for circumferentially positioning the fuel assembly 3, and the loading/unloading port 221 is provided with an upper end cover 222 for closing over the cavity 4 and axially positioning the fuel assembly 3 in the cavity 4.

The support assembly 22 is able to rotate between a horizontal state and a vertical state under an action of a crane, and when the support assembly

S

22 is in the vertical state, the fuel assembly 3 is facilitated to be hoisted into the cavity 4 vertically, and the support assembly 22 loaded with the fuel assembly 3 is facilitated to rotate to the horizontal state. The loading process of the fuel assembly 3 is simpler and faster, the loading efficiency is improved, and the transportation of the fuel assembly 3 is facilitated when the support assembly 22 and the fuel assembly 3 are horizontally placed and accommodated in the transportation container Before the upper end cover 222 is closed, the fuel assembly 3 is positioned circumferentially when the fuel assembly 3 is placed in the cavity 4, so that a rotation of the fuel assembly 3 within the cavity 4 is prevented. When the upper end cover 222 is closed, the fuel assembly 3 is axially positioned to prevent its longitudinal movement within the cavity 4, thereby achieving a complete constraint of the fuel assembly 3, preventing the fuel assembly 3 from shaking in the cavity 4 during a transportation process, and thus the safety and stability of transportation are improved.

Combined with FIG. 5, the housing 1 generally includes a lower housing 11 and an upper housing 12 disposed on an upper side of the lower housing 11. The lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are assembled to fonn a cylindrical structure with a horizontal axis, for facilitating loading and transportation. In this embodiment, the cylindrical structure is of an octagonal prism shape. Alternatively, the profile of the housing 1 may be a quadrate cylindrical structure having a horizontal axis.

Side walls of the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are of a double-layer structure with a hollow interlayer respectively, so that the housing has relatively high impact resistance and excellent heat insulation, damping and decontamination performances.

Preferably, the upper housing 12 includes an upper outer housing 122, an upper inner housing 123, and upper end plates 124 disposed at two ends thereof respectively. The tipper outer housing 122 and the upper inner housing 123 are spaced to form the double-layer structure with a hollow interlayer. The lower housing 11 includes a lower outer housing 112, a lower inner housing 113, and lower end plates 114 disposed at two ends thereof respectively. The lower outer housing 112 and the lower inner housing 113 are spaced to form the double-layer structure with a hollow interlayer.

Heat-insulating and vibration-damping materials are filled between the upper outer housing 122 and the upper iimer housing 123, and between the lower outer housing 112 and the lower inner housing 113 respectively. The heat-insulating and vibration-damping material is filled between the double layers, so that the vibration generated when the container drops and the influence of external impact on components in the container can be effectively reduced, and moreover, the conduction of heat to the interior of the housing during a combustion working condition is reduced. The heat-insulating and vibration-damping material can be filled into the polygonal double-layer structures of the upper housing and the lower housing after molding, featuring small in size and easy to be replaced; in addition, and multiple groups of fuel assemblies can be contained in the container.

Furthermore, reinforcing ribs 13 are provided between the upper outer housing 122 and the upper inner housing 123, and between the lower outer housing 112 and the lower inner housing 113 respectively., so that the strength of the housing 1 can be improved, deformation of the housing 1 during hoisting and transportation can be prevented, and impact resistance of the housing 1 can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in some embodiments, two ends of the upper housing 12 are respectively provided with a latch 121 extending towards the lower housing 11, and inner sides of an end surface of the lower housing 11 are respectively provided with a latch slot Ill into which the latch 121 snaps. The latch 121 includes a steel plate and a cork outside the steel plate, so that the strength thereof can be ensured, and buffering and damping effects can be achieved.

When the upper housing 12 is assembled to the lower housing 11, the latch 121 snaps into the latch slot 111, to facilitate positioning between the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12. The shapes of the end surfaces of the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are respectively polygonal, the octagonal prism structure is formed when the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are assembled. Adjacent edges of the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are respectively provided with flange edges for locking and connecting the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 to each other. The edge of the upper housing 12 and the edge of the lower housing 11 are respectively provided with flange edges, so that the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 11 can be locked and secured.

Two ends of the upper housing 12 are respectively provided with a hoisting structure for hoisting, and the hoisting structure is provided with first hoisting holes 125. Legs are provided on a lower side of the lower housing 11, and first hoisting holes 115 for hoisting are provided in the leg. The lower side of the lower housing 11 is further provided with forklift holes 116 for the forklift to insert and lift. With the hoisting holes and the forklift holes 116, a variety of hoisting modes are provided to facilitate hoisting.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, preferably, a buffer structure 14 flexibly connected with the lower housing 11 is provided at side edges of the carrier 21, so that the carrier 21 is suspended in the lower housing 11. The suspension and flexible connection can reduce an external impact on the carrier 21. The buffer structure 14 can absorb impacts transmitted by the housing 1 to the carrier 21, avoiding impacts to the fuel assembly 3.

In some embodiments, the buffer structure 14 includes a number of buffer members 141 arranged along the side edges of carrier 21 and connected between the carrier 21 and the lower housing 11. The buffer member 141 serves as a damping means and is used for damping and buffering the fuel assembly, to avoid impacts to the fuel assembly. Generally, the buffer members 141 can be arranged on the longitudinal side edges of the carrier 21, or alternatively arranged on each side edge of the carrier 21.

The buffer member 141 includes an elastic damping body 1411, a top plate 1412 and a bottom plate 1413 provided at two opposite ends of the damping body 1411. The top plate 1412 and the bottom plate 1413 are respectively provided with a first embedded part 1414 and a second embedded part 1415 which are embedded in the damping body 1411. The first embedded part 1414 and the second embedded part 1415 are respectively provided with a reverse buckle structure for preventing disengagement from the damping body 1411, thereby rendering a firmer connection between the damping body 1411 and the top plate 1412 and the bottom plate 1413.

The first embedded part 1414 and the second embedded part 1415 can improve the shearing performance of the damping body 1411, so that deformation of the damping body 1411 is reduced, and the service life is prolonged.

The top plate 1412 and the bottom plate 1413 are respectively connected with the carrier 21 and an inner wall of the lower housing 11, and fixedly connected with the carrier 21 and the lower housing 11 The buffer member is clamped between the carrier 21 and the housing 1, and can play a role of buffering and preventing vibration. In other embodiments, the damping body 1411 may be a structure of a spring or an elastic sheet or the like.

The first embedded part 1414 includes a first embedded section 1416 and a second embedded section 1417 which are sequentially connected. One end of the first embedded section 1416 away from the second embedded section 1417 is connected with the top plate 1412, and the second embedded section 1417 forms a reverse buckle to prevent disengagement from the damping body 1411.

In the present embodiment, the first embedded section 1416 and the second embedded section 1417 are respectively cylindrical, and the cross-sectional size of the second embedded section 1417 is larger than that of the first embedded section 1416, so that the difference between the two sections forms the reverse buckle.

A through connecting hole is defined in a center of the damping body 1411 and includes a first hole section and a second hole section. The cross-sectional size of the second hole section is larger than that of the first hole section. The first embedded section 1416 is inserted in the first hole section, and the second embedded section 1417 is disposed in the second hole section and is embedded in an inner wall of the second hole section.

A bolt is screwed in a center of the top plate 1412, whereby the top plate 1412 can be connected with the carrier 21 through the bolt. Preferably, the first embedded section 1416, the second embedded section 1417, the first hole section and the second hole section are coaxially arranged, so that assembling and positioning are facilitated, and stress is more balanced.

The connecting hole is located and thus forms a hollow structure in the center of the damping body 1411, therefore the weight of the damping body 1411 is reduced, the material is saved, and the damping performance of the damping body 1411 is improved.

A through hole correspondingly communicated with the second hole section is defined in a center of the bottom plate 1413, so that the connecting hole is communicated with the outside.

The second embedded part 1415 includes a third embedded section 1418 and a fourth embedded section 1419 which are sequentially connected. One end of the third embedded section 1418 away from the fourth embedded section 1419 is connected with the bottom plate 1413, and the fourth embedded section 1419 forms a reverse buckle to prevent disengagement from the damping body 1411.

The third insert 1418 is cylindrical and the fourth insert 1419 is conical. In other embodiments, alternatively, the fourth embedded section 1419 may be cylindrical and have a different cross-sectional size from that of the third embedded section 1418, so as to form the reverse buckle structure.

Alternatively, the first embedded part 1414 and the second embedded part 1415 may respectively include a plurality of sheet structures arranged along a circumferential direction thereof and embedded in the damping body 1411, and ends of the sheet structures are bent to form the reverse buckles.

The top plate 1412 and the bottom plate 1413 respectively cover two end surfaces of the damping body 1411 where the top plate 1412 and the bottom plate 1413 are located, to clamp the damping body 1411. A number of connecting holes are arranged in the bottom plate 1413, in which locking members are inserted to render a fixed connection between the bottom plate 1413 and the housing 1, thus disassemble and assemble are facilitated.

The top plate and the bottom plate are embedded in the damping body 1411, so that the connection is firmer, and the problem of connection between the damping body 1411 and a steel plate is solved, thus a firmer connection of the top plate and the bottom plate which are made of steel with the damping body 1411 made of a rubber material is rendered.

Moreover, a steel lining plate is embedded in the damping body 1411, so the elasticity and the shearing performance of the damping body 1411 are further improved, and the service life of the damping body 1411 is prolonged.

As shown in FIG. 3, a support arm 23 is further provided between the support assembly 22 and the carrier 21 to support the support assembly 22 when the support assembly 22 is vertically disposed, thus preventing tilting during loading the fuel assembly 3.

The support arm 23 is rotatably connected with the support assembly 22. The carrier 21 is provided with a slide rail 211 arranged along a longitudinal direction thereof, the support arm 23 is in sliding fit with the slide rail 211, and one end of the slide rail 211 is provided with a clamping structure for clamping and positioning the support arm 23.

The clamping structure includes a clamping member that can swing towards an upper side of the slide rail 211, and an elastic member that provides an elastic force to keep the clamping member at the upper side of the slide rail 211.

While the support assembly 22 is rising up, the support arm 23 moves along the rail 211 to press the clamping member against the rail 211. When the support assembly rises up, the support arm 23 is separated from the clamping member, the clamping member is reset to the upper side of the slide rail 211, resisting and clamping the support arm 23, so as to position the support assembly 22 and prevent the support assembly 22 from turning downwards. After the fuel assembly 3 is loaded into the support assembly 22, press the clamping member down below the slide rail 211, release the resistance to the support arm 23, and enable the support arm 23 to slide reversely and pass through the clamping member to be received on the lower side of the support assembly 22.

As shown in -MS. 4, 5, and 7, in some embodiments, the support assembly 22 includes a bracket 223, an outer cover plate 224, an inner cover plate 227 and a lower end cover 225, wherein the outer cover plate 224, the inner cover plate 227 and the lower end cover 225 together enclose the cavity 4. Preferably, the bracket 223 extends in a longitudinal direction of the cavity 4, and the cross-sectional profile of the bracket 223 is half-cross shaped, and the bracket 223 includes a bottom wall 2231 and a side wall 2232 provided at one side of the bottom wall 2231.

The outer cover plate 224, the inner cover plate 227 and the side wall 2232 are located on a same side of the bottom wall 2231. The outer cover plate 224 is connected with an outer edge of the side wall 2232 away from the bottom wall 2231, and two longitudinal edges of the bottom wall 2231, defining two cavities 4 for accommodating the fuel assembly 3 on two sides of the side wall 2232. Portions of the outer cover plate 224 and the inner cover plate 227 corresponding to each cavity 4 are in a semi-circular arc shape, respectively.

The outer cover plate 224 with the arc-shaped structure can improve the stress strength of the outer cover plate 224, rendering a better stability under impact in case of rolling over or dropping, and enabling the outer cover plate 224 to dodge the impact, thus protecting the fuel assembly 3 inside. The outer cover plate 224 with the circular arc structure is compact in structure, thereby reducing the requirements on an external carrier structure.

Preferably, an outer cover plate 224 is provided for each cavity 4, and two sides of the arc-shaped outer cover plate 224 are respectively connected with the outer edge of the side wall 2232 away from the bottom wall 2231, and a longitudinal edge of the bottom wall 2231.

Moreover, the inner cover plate 227 is disposed in an angle defined by the bottom wall 2231 and the side wall 2232. Preferably, a support plate 228 supporting the inner cover plate 227 is provided in the angle defined by the bottom wall 2231 and the side wall 2232. The outer cover plate 224 and the inner cover plate 227 constitute a cylindrical structure, and define a cavity 4 for accommodating the fuel assembly 3 therein, and support the fuel assembly 3 from two sides respectively.

Longitudinal edges of the outer cover plate 224 are respectively rotatably connected with the bottom wall 2231 and the side wall 2232 to facilitate disassembly and assembly. Preferably, one edge of the outer cover plate 224 is rotatably connected with the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall 2231, and the outer cover plate 224 is detachably connected with the outer edge of the side wall 2232 away from the bottom wall 2231, and when the outer cover plate 224 is detached from the side wall 2232, the outer cover plate 224 is able to be turned over to open the cavity.

The support assembly 22 is simple in structure, facilitated to assemble and disassemble, and convenient to operate. Operational complexity for workers is reduced during operational maintenance or during loading/unloading the fuel assembly.

In order to be able to load different numbers of fuel assemblies 3, the structure of the bracket 223 can be adjusted so that the number of cavities 4 on the support assembly 22 is adjusted accordingly, for example, only one group of the outer cover plate 224 and the inner cover plates 227 is provided to form one cavity 4.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the outer cover plate 224 is provided with a compressing structure 24 for compressing or releasing the fuel assembly in the cavity 4. The compressing structure 24 can compress the fuel assembly in the cavity 4 when it is loaded into the cavity 4, and can release the fuel assembly when it needs to be taken out, so that the fuel assembly can disengage and be taken out.

In some embodiments, the compressing structure 24 includes an adjusting member 241 penetrating through the outer cover plate 224, and a compressing member 242 disposed on an inner side of the outer cover plate 224 and connected with the adjusting member 241, wherein the axially position of the adjusting member 241 is adjustable. Preferably, the adjusting member 241 is screwed to the outer cover plate 224, so as to drive the compressing member 242 to compress or release the fuel assembly 3. Alternatively, the adjusting member 241 may adjust its axial position under the driving of an external structure such as a motor.

An outer side of the outer cover plate 224 is provided with a semi-circular arc-shaped support beam 2241 arranged along a circumferential direction thereof The support beam 2241 can support the outer cover plate 224, and the number of the support beams 2241 may be one or more. When there are two or more support beams 2241, the support beams 2241 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cavity 4.

An inner side of the outer cover plate 224 is provided with a support frame for positioning and supporting an outer wall surface of the fuel assembly 3. A side of the support frame towards the cavity 4 is provided with a first support plate 2242, which is able to pre-position the fuel assembly 3 loaded into the cavity 4.

The first support plate 2242 is provided with a dodging opening for enabling the compressing member 242 to move into the cavity 4. A certain space is defined between the fuel assembly 3 and the first support plate 2242, and the compressing member 242 can compress the fuel assembly 3. Preferably, a width of the compressing member 242 is larger than that of a partition frame of the fuel assembly 3, to facilitate the compression of the fuel assembly 3. During transportation, the transverse compressing member 242 is in direct contact with a grillage of the fuel assembly and compresses around the fuel assembly. Stainless steel material is applied for the main body of the compressing member 242, and a layer made of rubber material having certain elasticity is laid on a surface of the compressing member 242 where the grillage contact.

The outer cover plate 224 is in a semi-circular arc shape. The inner side of the outer cover plate 224 is provided with two support frames along a circumferential direction thereof, and each support frame extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity 4. An inner side of the inner cover plate 227 defines two positioning surfaces which are perpendicular to each other. A second support plate 2243 is provided on the positioning surface. The two positioning surfaces and the two support frames define a quadrate cavity 4, to position two sides of the fuel assembly 3.

At least two groups of compressing structures 24 along the longitudinal direction of the cavity 4 are arranged on an area of each support frame corresponding to the outer cover plate 224. Preferably, the mounting location of the compressing structure 24 corresponds to the location of the support beam 2241, such that the support beam 2241 provides support for the compressing structure, so as to against deformation.

The first support plate 2242 includes an aluminum stainless steel plate, a rubber plate and an aluminum-based boron carbide plate which are laminated. Meanwhile, the two positioning surfaces of the inner cover plate 227 are covered with second support plates 2243 which are made of the same material as the first support plate 2242. When the outer cover plate 224 is closed, four aluminum-based boron carbide plates are of cuboid shapes overall, and wrap around but not contact the fuel assembly, and cover the whole length of the fuel assembly.

The aluminum-based boron carbide plate has stable irradiation resistance and excellent thermal neutron absorption performance, and can maintain a subcritical state of the fuel assembly, and avoid radioactive pollution to the external environment. The aluminum-based boron carbide plates cover around the fuel assembly 3, by such a full-covering design, neutrons released by the fuel assembly 3 can be well absorbed, space for neutron escape is reduced, and safety is guaranteed. The full-covering design can resist high temperature and dust, being not easy to damage the fuel assembly 3 and long in service life.

The outer cover plate 224 can be flipped open, thus the problem that the neutron absorption plate is difficult to install due to narrow space is solved. In comparison with the conventional structure, the structure of the outer cover plate 224 is easy to clean, and disassembly and assembly are convenient in the service process.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a lower end cover 225 is provided at one end of the support assembly 22 which is rotatably connected with the carrier 21, to cap the bottom end of the cavity 4 as a bottom sealing means for the transport container of the fuel assembly 3.

Preferably, the lower end cover 225 includes a lower cover body 2251 for capping the bottom of the transport container, and a chucking means 2252 provided on the lower cover body 2251, the lower cover body 2251 being detachably connected with the bracket 223 and the outer cover plate 224. The chucking means 2252 is disposed on the lower cover body 2251, so that the integrity of the edge of the lower cover body 2251 is guaranteed, the problem of sealing of the fuel assembly cabin is solved, and the leakproofness of the cabin in the transportation process of the fuel assembly is guaranteed. The arc-shaped structure of the outer edge of the lower cover body 2251 improves the safety, enables the fastening means to be simple to operate, improves the reliability, ensures the fastening of a base of the fuel assembly, and enables the lower cover body 2251 to be more evenly stressed under impact. The chucking means 2252 can chuck a bottom nozzle of the loaded fuel assembly so that the fuel assembly is more stable during transportation. The chucking means 2252 is provided with a cam transmission mechanism, so that the simplicity and reliability of operation are further improved, and the machining is simpler.

The chucking means 2252 includes a chucking mechanism 2253 and an operating mechanism 2254. The chucking mechanism 2253 including a chucking member 2255 disposed on an inner side of the lower cover body 2251 and reciprocally movable along a side of the lower cover body 2251 between a chucked position and a released position.

The operating mechanism 2254 includes an operating part 2260 for driving the chucking member 2255 to move towards the chucked position. When the chucking member 2255 is in the chucked position, the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly 3 in the transport container is chucked by the chucking member 2255, to prevent the fuel assembly 3 from rotating in the cavity 4.

The operating mechanism 2254 includes a control lever 2256, a cam plate 2257, a backing plate 2258, and a fastening screw 2259. The control lever 2256 rotatably penetrates the lower cover body 2251. The cam plate 2257 is disposed at one end of the control lever 2256, and can rotate with the control lever 2256.

Another end of the control lever 2256 is provided with an operating part 2260 for driving the control lever 2256 to rotate when a tool is installed, and driving the cam plate 2257 to rotate when the control lever 2256 is rotated. In this embodiment, the operating part 2260 is a quadrate top, and is able to be engaged with an operating trigger.

One end of the control lever 2256 for mounting the cam plate 2257 is provided with a key slot, a key is provided in the key slot, and a clamping slot clamped with the key is provided in the cam plate 2257.

The cam plate 2257 is rotatably disposed on one side of the lower cover body 2251, and the cam plate 2257 and the chucking member 2255 are located on the same side of the lower cover body 2251. An edge of the cam plate 2257 is provided with a protrusion 2261 protruding outwards, and the chucking member 2255 is arranged on an outer periphery of the cam plate 2257, so that when the operating part 2260 drives the cam plate 2257 to rotate, the protrusion 2261 drives the chucking member 2255 to move towards the chucked position.

Preferably, the edge of the cam plate 2257 is circumferentially provided with a number of protrusions 2261, and the chucking members 2255 are circumferentially arranged on an outer periphery of the cam plate and correspond to the positions of the protrusions 2261 respectively. As the cam plate 2257 rotates, each protrusion 2261 pushes each corresponding chucking member 2255 outwardly to move towards the chucked position. The number of the chucking members 2255 may alternatively be one, to chuck and secure the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly 3.

Furthermore, the chucking member 2255 and the cam plate 2257 are disposed on a side of the backing plate 2258 opposite to the lower cover body 2251, the backing plate 2258 is movable towards or away from the lower cover body 2251, and the chucking member 2255 is slidably fitted with the backing plate 2258. The backing plate 2258 can abut against the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly 3 tightly when moving away from the lower cover body 2251. And the backing plate 2258 is released from the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly 3 when moving towards the lower cover body 2251.

Preferably, the fastening screw 2259 is a hollow structure, the fastening screw 2259 is screwed to the lower cover body 2251, and the control lever 2256 penetrates through the fastening screw 2259. The backing plate 2258 is disposed at an end of the fastening screw 2259, the fastening screw 2259 rotates on the lower cover body 2251, adjusting the axial position, driving the backing plate 2258 and the chucking member 2255 to move towards or away from the lower cover body 2251.

In other embodiments, rotation of the cam plate 2257 may be driven by a gear mechanism or the like, and axial movement of the backing plate 2258 may be driven by a piston rod or the like.

The chucking means 2252 further includes a number of return members 2262 respectively abutting each of the chucking members 2255, the return member 2262 providing a spring force for the chucking member 2255 to move towards the released position.

The chucking mechanism 2253 further includes a baffle 2263 covering the chucking member 2255, the baffle 2263 having a chucked port 2264 for the chucking member 2255 to extend through when moving towards the chucked position. There are four chucking members 2255 arranged at four inner corners of the baffle 2263. The baffle 2263 is connected with the backing plate 2258, and the chucking member 2255 is located in a space formed by the baffle 2263 and the backing plate 2258 when assembled. The baffle 2263 can protect the chucking member 2255, the return member 2262, and backing plate 2258 from damage during chucking.

Furthermore, one end of the support assembly 22 away from the loading/unloading port 221 is rotatably connected with the carrier 21, to enable the support assembly 22 to be horizontally placed or to rise up. Preferably, the lower cover body 2251 is provided with a rotational part 2265 for rotatably matching the support assembly 22 with the carrier 21, wherein the rotational part 2265 is generally a rotating shaft or a rotating hole or a simultaneous configuration of the rotating shaft and the rotating hole, enough to ensure that the lower cover body 2251 can be rotatably matched with the carrier 21 In other embodiments, alternatively, the bracket 223 may be rotationally matched with the carrier 21.

As shown in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the upper end cover 222 serves as a top capping means for the fuel assembly 3 transport container, including a door panel 2221 for covering an upper end of the transport container cavity 4, and a locking structure disposed on the door panel 2221 for axially locking the fuel assembly 3 in the transport container.

The number of the door panels 2221 corresponds to the number of the cavities 4, each door panel 2221 is detachably connected with the bracket 223, and each door panel 2221 covers one of the cavities 4. After one of the cavities 4 is loaded with the fuel assembly 3, the loaded fuel assembly 3 can be independently capped. Of course, the upper end cover 222 may alternatively be of an integral structure capable of simultaneously opening and closing the corresponding loading/unloading port 221 of each cavity 4.

Furthermore, each door panel 2221 is rotatably connected with the side wall 2232 respectively, and the locking structure 2222 on the door panel 2221 axially secures the loaded fuel assembly 3. Meanwhile, each door panel 2221 is respectively rotatably connected with the bottom wall 2231, and axial directions of the rotary connection of the door panel 2221 with the side wall 2232 and the bottom wall 2231 are different, that is, rotations cannot be implemented simultaneously. in other embodiments, each door panel 2221 may alternatively be rotatably connected with only one of the side wall 2232 and the bottom wall 2231.

Preferably, the locking structure includes a first locking stick 2222 and a second locking stick 2223 which are disposed on the door panel 2221 and axially adjustable. The first locking stick 2222 is located at a center of the door panel 2221 and faces a center position of the top nozzle of the fuel assembly 3. A plurality of the second locking sticks 2223 are provided and centrosymmetrically arranged around the first locking stick 2222. The first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 can be respectively and independently adjusted, being able to be used for compressing the fuel assembly without or with a related assembly, having multiple functions, and featuring convenient to operate and simple to service.

The first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 are respectively screwed on the door panel 2221 and can rotate to adjust the axial position, so that the first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 abut and secure the bottom nozzle. Adjusting nuts are screwed to ends of the first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 away from the transport container cavity 4, and the adjusting nuts are rotated to drive the first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 to axially move and adjust positions.

Ends of the first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 facing the transport container cavity 4 are provided with soft buffer tops 2224, so that the impact during securing can be reduced, thereby preventing the bottom nozzle from being damaged. Preferably, the buffer top 2224 is a soft rubber pad, to avoid scratching between end surfaces of the fuel assembly and the related assembly during use.

Furthermore, the ends of the first locking stick 2222 and the second locking stick 2223 facing the transport container cavity 4 are provided with compressing blocks 2225, so that the abutted area can be increased, and the stability can be improved. The buffer top 2224 is disposed on a side of the compressing block 2225 facing the cavity 4, and the buffer top 2224 is sleeved on the compressing block 2225.

A compressing spring is provided on a side of the top nozzle of the fuel assembly 3 facing the door panel 2221, and the second locking stick 2223 faces the compressing spring on the top nozzle of the fuel assembly 3.

The top capping means includes two mutually hinged door panels 2221, each door panel 2221 is provided with the locking structure, and the door panels 2221 face respectively cavities 4 in which different fuel assemblies 3 are accommodated in the transportation container.

The locking structure 2222 includes a locking stick screwed in a locking hole and extending towards the cavity 4 through the locking hole. An inner end of the locking stick is generally provided with a baffle. The baffle is able to abut against the fuel assembly 3 via adjusting the axial position of the locking stick, so that the fuel assembly 3 can be axially locked and prevented from shaking in the axial direction.

Moreover, if the lengths of the fuel assemblies 3 are different, the fuel assemblies 3 with different lengths can be axially secured by the locking sticks after the fuel assemblies 3 are loaded into the cavity 4.

Accordingly, the locking structure 2222 may alternatively be provided on the lower cover body 2251 to position an end of the fuel assembly 3.

It is to be understood that the above-mentioned technical features can be used in any combination without limitation.

The above are only embodiments of the present invention, and thus do not limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process made by referencing the description and drawings of the present invention, which is directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1 A support assembly for a fuel assembly transport container, wherein the support assembly (22) defines at least one cavity (4) for accommodating and securing a fuel assembly (3); the support assembly (22) comprises a bracket (223), an outer cover plate (224) and an inner cover plate (227), and the outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227) together enclose the cavity (4); the bracket (223) extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity (4), and comprises a bottom wall (2231) and a side wall (2232) disposed on a side of the bottom wall (2231); the outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227) are respectively semi-circular arc shaped, the inner cover plate (227) is disposed in an angle defined by the bottom wall (2231) and the side wall (2232); the outer cover plate (224) is connected with an outer edge of the side wall (2232) which is away from the bottom wall (2231), and a longitudinal edge of the bottom wall (2231); the outer cover plate (224) and the inner cover plate (227) configure a cylindrical structure, and define one cavity (4) for accommodating the fuel assembly (3).
2. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover plate (224) is provided with a compressing structure (24) for compressing or releasing the fuel assembly (3) in the cavity (4).
3. The support assembly according to claim 2, wherein the compressing structure (24) comprises an adjusting member (241) penetrating through the outer cover plate (224), and a compressing member (242) disposed on an inner side of the outer cover plate (224) and connected with the adjusting member (24 I); an axial position of the adjusting member (241) is adjustable, so as to drive the compressing member (242) to compress or release the fuel assembly (3).
4 The support assembly according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting member (241) is screwed to the outer cover plate (224).
5. The support assembly according to claim 3, wherein an inner side of the outer cover plate (224) is provided with a support flame for positioning and supporting an outer surface of the fuel assembly (3), a side of the support frame towards the cavity (4) is provided with a first support plate (2242), and the first support plate (2242) defines a dodging opening for enabling the compressing member (242) to move into the cavity (4), and a width of the compressing member (242) is larger than that of a partition frame of the fuel assembly (3).
6. The support assembly according to claim 5, wherein two support frames are arranged on the inner side of the outer cover plate (224) along a circumferential direction thereof, and each of the support frames extends along a longitudinal direction of the cavity; an inner side of the inner cover plate (227) defines two positioning surfaces which are perpendicular to each other, a second support plate (2243) is provided on the positioning surface, the two positioning surfaces and the two support frames define the quadrate cavity (4) to position two sides of the fuel assembly (3).
7. The support assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein semi-circular arc-shaped support beams (2241) are provided on an outer side of the outer cover plate (224) along a circumferential direction thereof; at least two of the support beams (2241) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cavity (4) are provided on the outer side of the outer cover plate (224), and mounting positions of the compressing structures (24) correspond to positions of the support beams (2241).
8. The support assembly according to claim 7, wherein one edge of the outer cover plate (224) is rotatably connected with the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall (2231), and the outer cover plate (224) is detachably connected with the outer edge of the side wall (2232) away from the bottom wall (2231).
9. The support assembly according to claim 8, wherein a cross section of the bracket (223) is half-cross shaped, and the outer cover plate (224), the inner cover plate (227) and the side wall (2232) are disposed on a same side of the bottom wall (2231); the support assembly comprises two outer cover plates (224) disposed on two sides of the side wall and two inner cover plates (227) disposed on two sides of the side wall, and a holding plate (228) supporting the inner cover plate (227) is provided in an angle defined by the bottom wall (2231) and the side wall (2232); each outer cover plate (224) is connected with the outer edge of the side wall (2232) which is away from the bottom wall (2231), and the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall (2231) on the side where the outer cover plate (224) is located, and the two outer cover plates (224) and the inner cover plates (227) on the two sides of the side wall (2232) define two cavities (4) for accommodating the fuel assembly (3) respectively.
10. A fuel assembly transport container, comprising the support assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.