JP2018184032A - Structure for injecting inside liquid and transmission device using the structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably maintain a posture with a surface carrying out optical transmission in parallel with water level in a transmission device measuring water temperature and other environmental conditions by being injected and installed in a used nuclear fuel pool and optically transmitting the measured information to an outside camera.SOLUTION: Measuring and transmission functions are separated, a measuring unit is made a bottom reaching sinking body, a transmission unit is made a floating body floating in water, and both are connected by a flexible cable state connection unit. A force is applied to the transmission unit to have it float up along with the connection unit as well as having it moored to the measuring unit by the connection unit. Thus, even when the measuring unit reaches the bottom in a state with the measuring unit inclined, the transmission unit is capable of maintaining a posture with a top surface including an optical transmission surface being horizontal rather than the posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a submerged structure and a transmission device to which the structure is applied. For example, the submerged structure is placed in water and installed at the bottom of the water to measure environmental conditions, and the measurement results are received outside the water surface. The present invention relates to a technique suitable for application to a transmission apparatus that transmits to an apparatus.

  As an environment that requires installation of a transmission device, for example, there is a spent nuclear fuel pool (hereinafter simply referred to as a fuel pool). The transmitter device measures the environmental conditions (water temperature, water pressure, sound, radiation dose, etc.) at the installation location, and sends the measurement results to the receiver device located outside the water surface of the fuel pool. Can be watched.

  The present applicant has proposed a configuration suitable for performing such transmission and reception in Patent Document 1. This is because the environmental condition measurement data at the installation location is converted into two-dimensional encoded data, and the two-dimensional LED array arranged on the upper surface of the transmitter is displayed (light-emitting) in a pattern corresponding to the two-dimensional code. Is photographed with a camera arranged outside the fuel pool.

JP, 2006-66957, A

  In the configuration according to the above proposal, it is strongly desirable that the angle (incident angle) formed by the optical axis of the light emitted from the LED array with respect to the water surface is in an appropriate range. This is because if the incident angle is not within an appropriate range, it is reflected at the gas-liquid interface and cannot be captured by the camera. The above configuration can operate without problems if the environment in the fuel pool is normal. However, when applied to a fuel pool in which debris or the like is present at the bottom of the water due to breakage, or floating foreign matter or turbidity is generated, further improvement is required. That is, the transmitter is inserted into the fuel pool so as to be installed at a desired position and settles, but when the bottom is not flat and rubble or the like exists, the transmitter is inclined. Then, the incident angle with respect to the gas-liquid interface of the light emitted from the LED array may deviate from an appropriate range. Further, even when the incident angle is in an appropriate range, if the fuel pool is turbid, it may be impossible to capture with the camera due to attenuation of the emitted light.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to make it possible for the transmission device to reliably transmit measurement information and the like with a simple configuration regardless of the situation of the bottoming location.

  Therefore, the present invention is a structure for throwing in a liquid, a sediment that settles on the liquid bottom, a floating body that floats in the liquid so that a predetermined surface is horizontal, the sediment and the sediment A floating body is connected, and at least a portion connected to the floating body includes a flexible connection body.

  Further, the present invention is a transmission device to which the above structure is applied and is poured into a liquid, which forms the sedimentary body, a measurement unit that measures environmental conditions at the bottoming position, the floating body, A transmission surface that transmits an environmental condition measured by a measurement unit is a transmission unit disposed on the predetermined surface, and the connection body, and a signal including the environmental condition is transmitted between the measurement unit and the transmission unit. And a connection unit including wiring for transmission.

  According to the present invention, the floating body (or the transmission unit) is subjected to a force that rises with the flexible connection body (or connection unit), and is settled by the connection body (or connection unit). Try to stay tethered to the body (or measurement unit). As a result, even if the sediment (or measurement unit) settles in a tilted state, the floating body (or the transmission unit) has a predetermined surface (light information transmission surface) horizontally with respect to the water surface, regardless of the posture. Can maintain the posture.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a transmission apparatus devised before reaching the present invention. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic diagrams showing another example of the transmission device devised before reaching the present invention. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are schematic views showing the basic configuration of the submerged structure of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a partially broken embodiment of a transmission apparatus to which the basic configuration of FIGS. 3A and 3B is applied. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the transmission device of FIG. 4 is installed in the fuel pool. FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views showing two examples of a water injection structure that can be added to the transmission device of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a fuel pool is illustrated as an environment in which a structure or a transmission device is installed, but the present invention is not limited to this.

(Process leading to the present invention)
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the present inventors set the transmitter 1 having a transmission surface such as an LED array on the upper surface 1t at a position above its center of gravity G (for the sake of simplification in the figure). A transmission device having a structure supported by three support portions 3b (which is a gyro with one degree of freedom) was considered. The gimbal mechanism 3 is integrally mounted on a support base 5 that bottoms the fuel pool. When the support base 5 is landed on the debris 6, the gimbal mechanism 3 tilts as shown in FIG. 5B, but the transmission device 1 itself rotates around the gimbal shaft 3 a, and its posture is transmitted. The top surface 1t provided with the surface is maintained in a horizontal state. Further, if the size of the bottom surface of the support base 5 is appropriately increased, the gimbal mechanism 3 will not be excessively tilted or fallen even if it rides on the debris 6.

When this configuration is adopted, there is no problem if the fuel pool is in a normal state. However, the present inventors were concerned that the following problems will occur when the fuel pool is in a harsh environment due to an accident. That is,
・ If foreign matter floating in the water adheres to the support part 3b of the gimbal mechanism 3, the function of the rotation of the transmission device 1, that is, the posture stabilization function, will not work, and the weight or size of the main body of the transmission device 1 is changed. , Every time you have to design and manufacture the gimbal mechanism,
It is a problem.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the present inventor configures the transmission apparatus 1 so that the buoyancy in water is greater than the weight in air (that is, it floats when thrown into water). The inventors have conceived that the bottom 1b is anchored to the heavy support base 5 via the anchoring cable 7. According to this, even if the support base 5 is bottomed with the support 5 tilted as shown in FIG. 5B, the transmission device 1 itself stands upright, so that the upper surface 1t including the transmission surface can be kept horizontal. it can.

  However, in this configuration, since the bottom portion 1b of the transmitting device 1 is restrained by the mooring line 7, when a water flow is generated in water, the fluctuation of the upper surface 1t with the transmitting surface increases. Then, the orientation of the upper surface 1t becomes unstable, and there is a concern that inconveniences such as interruption of transmission to the receiving device occur.

  Through the above considerations, the present inventors are required to divide the functions of the transmitter into an environmental condition measurement function and a measurement result transmission function, and are stable from the viewpoint of measurement. On the other hand, attention was paid to the fact that the transmission surface is required to be held horizontally from the transmission point of view. And the conclusion that it was preferable to adopt a structure separated for each function was obtained, and the present invention was achieved.

(Basic configuration of the present invention)
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the basic configuration and principle of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the structure according to the present invention includes a sediment 10 (which may include the above-described support base), a floating body 20, and a flexible connection body 30 that connects them. As will be described later, in the case of a structure for a transmission device to be introduced into the fuel pool, the sediment 10 and the floating body 20 correspond to the measurement unit and the transmission unit, respectively, and the connection body 30 is the measurement unit. Corresponds to a flexible cable for transmitting a signal from the transmitter to the transmitter unit.

Here, the absolute values of the weight of the sediment 10, the floating body 20 and the connecting body 30 in the air are W1, W2 and W3, respectively, and the absolute values of the buoyancy acting when thrown in water are F1, F2 and Let it be F3. And the condition that the whole structure sinks when thrown into water is
W1 + W2 + W3> F1 + F2 + F3
The conditions for the sediment 10 to bottom and the conditions for the float 20 to float are:
W1> F1, W2 <F2
It is. If the floating body 20 itself floats, the upper surface 20t is kept horizontal. However, in order to bring the upper surface 20t on which the transmission surface is arranged as close as possible to the water surface of the fuel pool and to stabilize the posture,
W2 + W3 <F2 + F3
That is, it is preferable that the floating body 20 floats while pulling the connection body 30.

  By performing a design that satisfies these conditions, the entire structure sinks and the sediment 10 settles when thrown into water. On the other hand, the floating body 20 is subjected to a force that rises with the connecting body 30, but the floating body 20 is tethered to the sediment 10 by the connecting body 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), even when the sediment 10 settles in a tilted state, the floating body 20 has a horizontal posture with the upper surface 20t including the transmission surface horizontal, regardless of the posture of the sediment 10. Can keep.

  Since the above structure does not require a support portion like the gimbal mechanism shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the structure is simple, and there is no fear of causing problems due to floating foreign matter. It is. In addition, since the degree of freedom in adjusting buoyancy is high, it is possible to cope with changes in specifications (changes in dimensions, shape, weight, etc.) of the transmitting device to be applied without major design changes. Furthermore, since the sedimentary body 10 and the floating body 20 are formed as separate structures, compared to the integrated structure as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sediment 10 and the floating body 20 are less susceptible to the influence of water flow.

  Furthermore, there exist the following advantages in making the connection body 30 flexible. That is, even if the floating body 20 floats due to the water flow and changes in the relative position with respect to the sediment 10, the floating body 20 can be flexed following the change, so that the posture of the floating body 20 can be kept stable. It is. In addition, when a rigid connection body is adopted, if a rotating moment due to a water flow or the like is applied to one of the sediment 10 and the floating body 20, the other position may be displaced, or the posture of the entire structure may collapse. If the flexible connector 30 is used, such a fear does not occur.

(Embodiment)
An embodiment in which the above-described structure is applied to a transmission device that is introduced into a fuel pool will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The transmission device of the present embodiment includes a measurement unit 100 that is a sedimented body, a transmission unit 200 that is a floating body, and a flexible connection unit 300 that is a connection body. Their interiors are kept airtight and are configured to ensure that the equipment and wiring contained therein are reliably protected.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of such transmission apparatuses are installed in a distributed manner in the fuel pool 400, and the measurement unit 100 measures water temperature, water pressure, and the like as environmental conditions at the installation location. On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 1, the transmission unit 200 converts the transmission target data into two-dimensional encoded data, and displays the light emission in a pattern corresponding to the two-dimensional code on the two-dimensionally arranged LED array. Outside the water surface of the fuel pool 400, a camera 500 is installed so as to capture a plurality of transmission devices in a visual field indicated by broken lines, and the inside of the fuel pool 400 can be photographed. And the environmental condition of the fuel pool 400 can be measured from the image | photographed image | video based on the light emission state of the LED array of each transmitter. In FIG. 5, two transmitters and one camera are shown, but the number of them depends on the size of the fuel pool 400, the range in which the transmitter is to be installed, and the viewing angle of the camera. It can be determined as appropriate.

  The measurement unit 100 includes a temperature sensor 110 that detects the water temperature of the fuel pool at the bottom, a pressure sensor 120 that detects the water pressure, other necessary sensors, and a device that includes a detection signal processing unit 101. Is done. The measurement unit 100 also accommodates a battery (not shown) that serves as a power source for the entire transmitter, thereby ensuring the weight of the measurement unit 100 that is a sediment. In addition, in order to maintain the stability at the time of bottoming, the ratio of the height and width (aspect ratio) of the measurement unit 100 is preferably less than 1.

  In the transmission unit 200, a transmission surface 203 of a two-dimensional LED array is disposed on a predetermined surface, that is, an upper surface that faces the water surface in a state of being put in water. In addition, a drive unit 201 that drives the LED array so that data transmitted from the processing unit 101 of the measurement unit 100 is displayed in a pattern corresponding to a two-dimensional code is housed. Note that a part of the measurement function may be assigned to the transmitting unit 200 that is a floating body within a range that does not affect buoyancy. Further, the transmission unit 200 may be provided with fins or the like for posture stabilization above the position of the center of gravity.

  The connection unit 300 is a cable having a flexible tube having flexibility that can follow the floating of the transmission unit 200 as a main body, and includes a processing unit 101 of the measurement unit 100 and a drive unit 201 of the transmission unit 200 inside. A wiring 301 (including a power supply line) for signal connection extends. It should be noted that the devices and wirings arranged in each unit in FIG. 4 are merely schematic for explanation, and do not indicate actual dimensions, shapes, and arrangement locations of these devices and wirings.

  The measurement unit 100, the transmission unit 200, and the connection unit 300 may have appropriate shapes and dimensions as long as they comply with the above conditions. However, the measurement unit 100 and the transmission unit 200 of the present embodiment have a generally cylindrical shape, and have bulging portions 100b and 200b that bulge in a convex curved shape downward in the vertical direction on the bottom surface.

  The housings of the measurement unit 100 and the transmission unit 200 of the present embodiment are basically hollow bodies that contain devices that perform their respective functions. Therefore, if the design has a sufficient internal volume, it is possible to cope with a change in the specifications of the equipment. At that time, if the weight is not sufficient, the weight may be accommodated and adjusted.

  In addition, the provision of the bulging portion is advantageous in that, for example, the bottom surface is flattened, the decrease in water resistance is suppressed, the posture at the time of sedimentation is stabilized, and the target portion can be quickly settled. is there. Furthermore, the bulging portion 100b of the measurement unit 100 is free from the influence of the presence of debris and the like because the space is generated at the time of bottoming, and contributes to the stabilization of the posture.

  The length of the cable-like connection unit 300 can be selected as appropriate. For example, the following conditions can be taken into consideration. For example, the transmission unit 200 may have a length that does not float on the water surface with respect to the assumed water depth. If the attitude of the transmission unit 200 collapses when it floats on the water surface, it is possible to realize a configuration that makes it possible to detect a drop in the water level using the fact that the transmission surface 203 can no longer be captured by the camera. As another condition, as shown in FIG. 5, in consideration of the case where a plurality of transmission devices are installed, it is possible to prevent the cable from being entangled between the transmission devices due to water flow or the like. .

  It is preferable that the transmission device quickly settles to the target location while maintaining a stable posture. However, when the sedimentation speed is excessive and it is predicted that an undesired impact is applied to the measurement unit 100 at the time of bottoming, a configuration for mitigating this can be added. For example, the apparent weight (W1-F1) can be reduced by providing an air chamber 130 as schematically shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B in the measurement unit. . Then, if the apparent weight is increased by pouring water into the air chamber 130 after bottoming or gradually in the settling process, the installation state of the measurement unit can be stabilized. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 6A, a valve body 133 that is opened according to the pressure difference and cannot be re-closed after being opened can be provided on the side wall of the air chamber 130. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a small hole having a size for gradually introducing water into the air chamber 130 after the sedimentation process or bottoming may be provided in the upper portion of the air chamber 130. Further, vent holes may be provided so that gas-liquid exchange associated with such a configuration can be performed smoothly. In addition, as a site | part which provides the air chamber 130 concretely, it can be set as the bulging part 100b of the measurement unit 100, for example.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and the modifications described in various places, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above example, the connection body 30 is configured as a flexible part as a whole. However, the greater the distance between the buoyancy of the floating body 20 and the connection point between the floating body 20 and the flexible portion, the greater the restoring force to the posture in which the upper surface 20t of the transmission unit becomes horizontal. Even if a configuration in which a connection portion is provided and connected to a connection body, or a connection body is configured by a rigid portion and a flexible portion and is connected to the floating body 20 by a rigid portion is adopted. Good.

  Moreover, the case where this invention was applied to the transmission apparatus thrown into the water of a fuel pool and installed in the bottom of water was demonstrated. However, the term “water” surrounding the installation site should be interpreted in a broad sense, and includes seawater, river water, lake water, and groundwater. Therefore, the present invention is widely applicable to structures installed on river bottoms, lake bottoms, dam bottoms, sea bottoms, and the like. Moreover, you may throw into liquids other than water.

  Furthermore, the measurement unit constituting the transmission device is not limited to one including various sensors that measure water temperature, water pressure, and sound. Appropriate equipment can be used according to the purpose of installing the transmission device, the environmental conditions to be measured, the state of the subject to be presented, and the like. In the above example, the configuration in which information is transmitted and received by light is illustrated. However, transmission and reception may be performed by sound waves or ultrasonic waves.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sedimentation body 20 Floating body 20t Upper surface of floating body 30 Flexible connection body 100 Measurement unit 100b Expansion part 130 Air chamber 200 Transmission unit 200b Expansion part 203 Transmission surface 300 Connection unit 400 Fuel pool 500 Camera

Claims (8)

  A structure for throwing in liquid, a sediment that settles on the liquid bottom, a floating body that floats in the liquid so that a predetermined surface is horizontal, the sediment and the floating body are connected, and at least the A structure comprising a connecting body having a flexible portion connected to a floating body. When the absolute values of the weights of the sediment, the floating body and the connection body are W1, W2 and W3, respectively, and the absolute values of the buoyancy acting when thrown into the liquid are F1, F2 and F3, respectively.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the relationship of W1 + W2 + W3> F1 + F2 + F3, W1> F1, W2 <F2, and W2 + W3 <F2 + F3 is satisfied. A transmission device to which the structure according to claim 1 or 2 is applied and is put into a liquid,
A measuring unit that forms the sediment and measures environmental conditions at the bottom position;
A transmission unit that forms the floating body and a transmission surface that transmits the environmental condition measured by the measurement unit is disposed on the predetermined surface;
A connection unit comprising a wiring for transmitting a signal including the environmental condition between the measurement unit and the transmission unit, the connection body;
A transmission device comprising:   The transmitter according to claim 3, wherein the measurement unit has an air chamber, and liquid is gradually introduced into the air chamber after bottoming or in the course of settling.   The transmission device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a height / width ratio of the measurement unit is less than one.   The transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission unit has a fin at a position above the center of gravity.   The transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the measurement unit and the transmission unit have a bottom surface shaped to bulge downward in the vertical direction.   The transmission device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the transmission device is put into a spent nuclear fuel pool.

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