JPH0481758B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to nuclear reactors, and more particularly to connection devices used in nuclear reactors to connect and disconnect multiple electrical cables to a reactor cover structure.

A nuclear reactor has numerous electrical cables connected to the reactor cover structure to power the control rod drive mechanism, water displacement rod drive mechanism, various rod position indicators, and other instrumentation. ing.

When it is necessary to separate or remove the reactor cover for maintenance or refueling purposes, the many electrical cables associated with the reactor cover can be separated and moved to the side. The lid shall be able to be opened. In new pressurized water reactors, for example, the number of various electrical and instrumentation cables is 300 to 500 in one reactor.
The number reaches as many as . When opening a nuclear reactor, each of these electrical cables must be separated by maintenance personnel and reconnected after maintenance or refueling. In such work, it is extremely important to minimize the period during which workers are exposed to relatively high radiation levels around the reactor lid. Therefore, electrical cables may be damaged during hasty reconnection, resulting in longer reactor downtimes, additional maintenance costs, and increased radiation doses for workers. The possibility is quite high. Additionally, during the shutdown period of a nuclear reactor, costs are doubled because alternative power must be purchased while the reactor is not operating.

Because hundreds of electrical cables must be connected and disconnected quickly, it is possible for a worker to mistakenly attempt to connect the wrong electrical cable to a particular receptacle. Although each electrical cable is identified by a code, the large number of cables does not eliminate the possibility of incorrect connections being made. In such cases, the plug or receptacle of the electrical cable will be damaged, at least to a lesser extent.

In certain instances, nuclear reactors and their associated equipment have been designed to reduce reactor downtime during refueling. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,429 and 3,836,430 disclose concepts related to rapid refueling. According to this prior art concept, an electrical cable is
It is attached to a movable support structure or cable bridge structure and is of sufficient length to be moved laterally with the reactor cover structure to provide access or access to the internal reactor structure. In view of rapid fuel changes, it was necessary to use long electrical cables that remained connected.
This is because certain systems associated with the reactor lid, such as mechanisms for holding control rods,
This is because it must be kept alive during the refueling process. However, the long electrical cables and movable supports used in conjunction with this type of conventional rapid refueling system are cumbersome to handle and require special designs for the reactor lid and related equipment. shall be. Additionally, a special design is required for the containment vessel area, and it cannot be used as is for retrofitting existing nuclear power plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reactor lid structure that is effective in reducing radiation exposure to workers, reducing reactor shutdown time, and eliminating mishandling that could damage connectors. The purpose is to provide electrical cable connection devices to.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention is directed to a connection device for connecting a plurality of electrical cables to a lid structure in a nuclear reactor.

According to the invention, the connection device comprises a pair of aligned and cooperating multi-connector plates for separably connecting a power source to the lid structure, at least one of the multi-connector plates being a movable connector plate. plates, each of said multi-connector plates having a plurality of individual connectors, each individual connector being one of a pair of matching connectors that engage when said matching multi-connector plates are mated together. one of the pair of matching connectors, each of the pair of matching connectors being attached to a corresponding position on the matching multiple connector plate;
Pairs of matching multi-connector plates and said movable connector plates are attached at one end to a support structure and mounted on the other end for precisely guiding said movable connector plate along a precise predetermined path so that said matching connectors of each pair are properly aligned. and a telescoping linkage attached to the movable connector plate at an end.

The linkage includes a kite linkage and two separate parallelogram linkages, each of the kite linkage and parallelogram linkage being separately articulated to the movable connector plate. With,
operating in parallel planes, each plane being parallel to the direction of movement of the movable connector plate, the kite linkage being articulated to the movable connector plate along its centerline; The two parallelogram linkages are articulated to the movable connector plate near opposing edges of the movable connector plate located on either side of the kite linkage.

The kite-shaped link mechanism includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth links, and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth links.
and a sixth pivot point, the first link being articulated to the movable connector plate at the first pivot point on the first link and coupled to the second link at the second pivot point. , the second link is coupled to the support structure at the third pivot point, and the second link is coupled to the support structure at the third pivot point;
and second links are of equal length, and the third link is coupled to the movable connector plate at the fourth pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point, and the third link is coupled to the movable connector plate at the fifth pivot point. coupled to the fourth
The link includes the sixth pivot point spaced apart from the third pivot point.
The fifth link is coupled to the support structure at a pivot point, the fifth link connecting the fifth pivot point and the second pivot point and extending through the second pivot point to form an actuation lever. , the kite-shaped link mechanism extends or contracts when a force is applied to the actuation lever, the distance between the second pivot point and the fifth pivot point is equal to the length of the first link; The distance between the first pivot point and the fourth pivot point is equal to the length of the third link, and the length of the fourth link is equal to the distance from the third pivot point to the sixth pivot point. equal to the length of the fourth link;
The value multiplied by the length of the link is equal to the length parallel to the first link.

Each of the parallelogram linkages has a sixth, seventh,
8th, 9th, and 10th links; and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th pivot points; articulated to the movable connector plate at a fulcrum and to the seventh link at the eighth pivot point;
The seventh link is coupled to the support structure at the ninth pivot point, the eighth link is coupled to the movable connector plate at the tenth pivot point spaced from the seventh pivot point, and the eighth link is coupled to the movable connector plate at the tenth pivot point spaced from the seventh pivot point. the ninth link is coupled to the ninth link at an eleventh pivot point, the ninth link is articulated to the support structure at the twelfth pivot point spaced from the ninth pivot point, and the tenth link is articulated to the support structure at the twelfth pivot point spaced from the ninth pivot point; A pivot point and the eleventh pivot point are connected, and the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth links are of equal length to each other and the first link and the second link of the kite-shaped link mechanism. having equal lengths, the tenth link is equal to the distance between the seventh pivot point and the tenth pivot point, and is equal to the distance between the ninth pivot point and the twelfth pivot point. is the length,
The tenth link has a length equal to the fourth link of the kite link mechanism.

The invention will be more easily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment, shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the Kempe's linkage upon which the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2-6 is based. The entire linkage is shown in the geometrical diagram of FIG. For convenience of explanation, in the drawings, uppercase letters represent articulating parts, and in the following description, paired uppercase letters represent links or other rigid connecting members. Furthermore, solid lines show the linkage in an extended state, and dashed lines show the linkage in a collapsed (retracted) position. Also. Capital letters with dashes represent the position of the joint in the retracted position. The members that make up the link mechanism (links or rigid connecting members) are AB, BC, CD,
Including DF, CH, CG, EH, AG, FG and AH,
Here, AB=CG=DF=AH, AG=BC=CD=
GF=CH, DE=EH, and DF×ED=CD ² . Line segments dd, ee, and ff shown by dotted lines indicate transition trajectories of joint points or pivot points D, E, and F during expansion and contraction of Kemp's link mechanism. This figure illustrates moving in the plane of the drawing in a direction perpendicular to the object and assuming position D'F' in a contracted state.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, these figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the linkage mechanism of FIG. , its element “kite-shaped link mechanism”
(BC, CD, CH, EH and AH) and “parallelogram linkage” (BC, CD, CG, AG and FG).

Particularly, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the movable multiple connector plate 1 holding a plurality of connectors is connected to links A″H″ and B″ of the Kemp link mechanism shown in FIG. Fixed frame (support structure) 3 by kite-type linkage including C″, C″H″, C″D″ and E″H″
is attached to. This kite linkage of FIG. 2 is equivalent to the portion of the Kempf linkage shown in FIG. 1 with similar reference characters. This kite linkage is advantageously connected to a multi-connector plate 1 which is movable along its vertical centerline g as shown in FIG. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a cable bridge structure 4 to which the fixed frame 3 is attached. The actuating lever 5, which is an extension of the pivot point C'' of the link C''H'', is capable of applying a clockwise or counterclockwise force to the actuating lever 5, for example, in order to retract or extend this kite linkage. Also shown is an alignment receptacle 6 for properly aligning the movable multi-connector plate 1.

The movement of the movable multiple connector plate 1 is caused by the above-mentioned C″D″, B″C″, E″H″, which constitute the kite-shaped receptacle mechanism.
Links 7, 8, respectively represented by A″H″ and C″H″
9, 10 and 11, the trajectory is limited to a predetermined trajectory. The multiple connector plate 1 is attached to the fixed frame 3 via links 7 and 8 and links 9 and 10. One end of the link 7 is connected to the connector plate 1 at a pivot point D'' and to the end of the link 8 at a pivot point C''. The other end of link 8 is the pivot point
B'' to the fixed frame 3.The link 9 connects the pivot point E'' of the connector plate 1 to the pivot point H'', and the link 10 connects the pivot point H'' of the fixed frame 3 to the pivot point A''. is connected.Link 11
is the pivot point H'' such that the motion of links 7 and 8 is converted into relative motion of links 9 and 10.
Connected to C″.

FIG. 3 shows the elements of Kemp's linkage "parallelogram linkage". In this preferred embodiment, the parallelogram linkages are provided in pairs, one linkage being connected to the connector plate 1 along line h and the other linkage being connected along line i. Connected to connector plate 1 (fourth
(see figure). Similar to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows the dual connector plate 1, the connector 2, the fixing frame 3, the cable bridge structure 4 and the alignment receptacle 6. Reference numbers 12, 13, 14, 15 respectively
and links CD, BC, F represented by 16
G, AG and CG are equivalent to links CD, BC, FG, AG and CG in FIG. The kite-shaped linkage mounted along the centerline g of the connector plate 1, described in connection with FIG. It functions as a stabilizing mechanism to ensure accurate displacement without tilting of the plate 1. One end of the link 12 is connected to the connector plate 1 at a pivot point D and also at a pivot point C.
is connected to link 13. Link 13 connects pivot point C to pivot point B of fixed frame 3. Further, the connector plate 1 is connected to the fixed frame 3 via links 14 and 15. The link 14 is connected to the connector plate 1 at a pivot point F and to the link 15 at a pivot point G. Link 15
connects the pivot point G to the pivot point A of the fixed frame 3. Link 16 connects pivot point C to pivot point G such that the movement of links 12 and 13 is reproduced on links 14 and 15. As mentioned above, the linkage of FIG. 3 is connected to the connector plate 1 at pivot points D and F along line h, while the other linkage is connected at pivot points D and F along line i.
connected to.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the surface arrangement of the connectors on the multiple connector board 1. A mating mating fixing plate with a complementary plug (not shown in FIG. 5) cooperates with the connector plate 1 to complete the connection. In practice, any suitable type of connector may be used, provided that the movement guided by the linkage fully engages the connector.

FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment in further detail. It should be noted that for clarity of illustration, only the kite-shaped link mechanism described in connection with FIG. 2 is shown. The actuation lever 5 is accessible from a walkway 17 mounted on the cable bridge structure 4 as shown. Also, the 6th
The figure shows a reactor cover structure 19 together with a movable connector plate 1 for coupling or separating the connectors by displacement of the connector plate 1 described above. The movable connector plate 1 is aligned by alignment means 20 when it engages the immovably mounted connector plate 18 .

The linkage can be actuated by hand power, but the actuating lever 5 can also be driven by a motor, as indicated symbolically by reference numeral 21. In this case, motor 21 can be remotely controlled. In addition, as shown schematically in FIG. 6, the contact 23
contact each other to form a circuit that generates a signal indicating that connector 2 is fully engaged.
In response, a controller 22 for the motor 2 can be activated and the motor can be stopped.

In other embodiments of the invention, various displacement means allowing precisely controlled movement may be used in place of the reset mechanism described above.
Such displacement means include mechanical energy,
It can consist of displacement means driven by electrical energy, hydraulic pressure, compressed gas or other energy, in which case the movement can be precisely controlled by tracks, enclosing means or other guiding means.

According to the present invention, radiation exposure to personnel is reduced, critical lid path formation time is reduced, mating and uncoupling operations are simplified, and the possibility of incorrect mating of plugs and receptacles is eliminated. This provides a number of benefits including reduced plug and receptacle damage and maintenance requirements.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a geometrical schematic diagram showing the Kempf linkage used in the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view schematically illustrating some elements of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a side elevation view schematically showing some other elements of the device; FIG. 4 is a rear view schematically showing one component of the device; FIG. FIG. 6 is a simplified side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the apparatus and its environment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 1... Multiple connector board, 2... Connector, 3...
Fixed frame (support structure), 4... Cable bridge structure, 5... Actuation lever, 7... First link, 8... Second link, 9... Third link, 10
...4th link, 11...5th link, 12...
6th link, 13...7th link, 14...8th link
Link, 15...9th link, 16...10th link, D''...1st pivot point, C''...2nd pivot point,
B″...Third pivot point, E″...Fourth pivot point, H″...
5th pivot point, A″...6th pivot point, D...7th pivot point
Pivot point, C... 8th pivot point, B... 9th pivot point, F... 10th pivot point, G... 11th pivot point,
A...12th pivot point, 18...Connector plate, 19
...Lid structure.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for connecting a plurality of electric cables to a lid structure in a nuclear reactor, comprising: 1 for separably connecting a power source to the lid structure.
a pair of aligned and cooperating multi-connector plates, at least one of the multi-connector plates being a movable connector plate, each of the multi-connector plates having a plurality of individual connectors, each of the multi-connector plates having a plurality of individual connectors; is one of a pair of matching connectors that engage when said matching multi-connector plates are brought together, and each of said pair of matching connectors is one of said matching multi-connector plates on said matching multi-connector plate. Precisely guiding the pair of matching multiple connector plates mounted in corresponding positions and the movable connector plate along a precise predetermined path so that each pair of matching connectors are properly aligned. a telescoping linkage attached to the support structure at one end and to the movable connector plate at the other end, the linkage comprising: a kite linkage; and two separate parallelogram links. a mechanism, each of the kite linkage and the parallelogram linkage being separately articulated to the movable connector plate and operating in parallel planes, each of the planes being parallel to the movable connector plate. parallel to the direction of motion of the kite-shaped linkage, said kite-shaped linkage is articulated to said movable connector plate along its centerline, and said two parallelogram-shaped linkages are parallel to either of said kite-shaped linkages. and articulated to the movable connector plate near opposite edges of the movable connector plate disposed on either side, the kite-shaped linkage comprising a first, second, third, fourth and third movable connector plate. 5 links, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
fifth and sixth pivot points, the first link being articulated to the movable connector plate at the first pivot point on the first link and to the second link at the second pivot point. coupled, the second link coupled to the support structure at the third pivot point;
The first and second links are of equal length, and the third
The link includes the fourth pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point.
coupled to the movable connector plate at a pivot point and coupled to the fourth link at the fifth pivot point, the fourth link being coupled to the support structure at the sixth pivot point spaced apart from the third pivot point. the fifth link connects the fifth pivot point and the second pivot point and extends through the second pivot point to form an actuation lever and apply a force to the actuation lever. is applied, the kite-shaped link mechanism is expanded or contracted, the distance between the second pivot point and the fifth pivot point is equal to the length of the first link, and the distance between the first pivot point and the fifth pivot point is equal to the length of the first link, and the distance between the second pivot point and the fifth pivot point is The distance between the fourth pivot points is equal to the length of the third link, and the distance between the fourth pivot points is equal to the length of the third link.
The length of the link is equal to the distance from the third pivot point to the sixth pivot point, and the value obtained by multiplying the length of the fourth link by the length of the third link is equal to the distance from the third pivot point to the sixth pivot point.
equal to the square of the length of the link, each of said parallelogram linkages having a sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth link;
ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth pivot points, the sixth link being articulated to the movable connector plate at the seventh pivot point on the sixth link;
articulated to the seventh link at the eighth pivot point, the seventh link is coupled to the support structure at the ninth pivot point, and the eighth link is articulated to the seventh link at the ninth pivot point.
The ninth link is coupled to the movable connector plate at the tenth pivot point spaced apart from the pivot point, and is coupled to the ninth link at the eleventh pivot point.
the tenth link is articulated to the support structure at the twelfth pivot point spaced from the ninth pivot point;
The eighth pivot point and the eleventh pivot point are connected, and the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth links have equal lengths, and the first link of the kite-shaped link mechanism connects the eighth pivot point and the eleventh pivot point.
link and the second link, and the tenth link is equal to the distance between the seventh pivot point and the tenth pivot point, and is equal to the distance between the ninth pivot point and the twelfth pivot point. has a length equal to the distance between
The 10th link has a length equal to the 4th link of the kite-shaped link mechanism. A device for connecting an electric cable to a reactor cover structure.