KR20010038718A - pneumatic loading/unloading apparatus for radioactive isotope irradiation capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A radioactive isotope examination instrument air pressure inlet and outlet and a conveying apparatus are provided to improve the production of the radioactive isotope by conveying and decoupling the examination instrument. CONSTITUTION: The air pressure inlet and outlet and the conveying apparatus(2) have an examination hole, a ball lock system(20), a control system(50), a sensor cable, and an air pressure hose(60). The radioactive isotope examination instrument(19) having a conic protrude(18) mounted on the top of it is inserted into the examination hole. The ball lock system is linked or decoupled to/from the conic protrude. The control system inspects the insert status of the conic protrude of the examination instrument and controls the air pressure which is applied to the ball lock system. The sensor cable provides an electrical connection between the ball lock system and the control system. The air pressure hose provides a piping connection between the ball lock system and the control system.

Description

Pneumatic loading / unloading apparatus for radioactive isotope irradiation capsule}

In the present invention, when a neutron is irradiated to several kinds of elements to produce a radiation source that can be used by the general public, the container is charged into a reactor to be irradiated with neutrons or taken out of the reactor so as to transport the workbench. It relates to a pneumatic inlet and withdrawal and transport mechanism.

More specifically, by using a pneumatic rocking mechanism, the projection container can be easily fixed, transported, and separated, thereby improving workability due to the entry / exit and transport of the irradiation container. The present invention relates to a pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for radioactive isotope irradiation containers that can be loaded with radiation containers to improve the productivity of radioisotopes.

Developed as one of the ancillary equipment for mass production of radioisotopes, it is a target irradiation container that can be irradiated by charging a large amount of material at the same time depending on the type of element. It is a pool in which work benches are installed for the work before and after the reactor and neutron irradiation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the neutron irradiation pool 101 includes a reactor pool 103, a work pool 105, a waste fuel storage pool 107, and a reactor pool 103 and a work pool ( It consists of a flow channel 109 connecting the 105. Man-bridge cranes 111 for work in / out and transfer are installed on the top of the entire pool 101 so as to be movable to the left and right of the pool 101, and on the bottom surface of the reactor pool 103. The reactor 113 is provided, and the work bench 115 is provided in the bottom surface of the work pool 105.

In addition, the pool 101 is filled with distilled water as about 7 to 80% as a means of shielding the radiation emitted from the irradiated irradiation vessel or work equipment due to the neutron irradiation, the neutron in the irradiation hole 117 of the reactor 113 The irradiation vessel 119, which has been irradiated, is moved to the work bench 115 of the work pool 105 while being submerged in the shielded distilled water using the manbridge crane 111.

As such, in order to move the irradiation vessel 119 to the manbridge crane 111, a conventional ball 121 as shown in FIG. 3 and a rocking mechanism 123 mounted at the end of the cable 121 are provided. lock system). Here, the cable 121 is made of SUS wire, and a ring 125 for fixing to the manbridge crane 111 is attached to the upper end, and the rocking mechanism 123 through the Al chain 127 at the lower end thereof. Is connected. This rocking mechanism 123 is disassembled in a cross-sectional state in FIG. 4 so that the irradiation vessel 119 is coupled to the lower side, the chain connector 129 for connection with the chain 127, to the connector 129 It is attached and has a structure consisting of a spindle 133 to which the projection 131 on the top of the irradiation vessel 119 is fitted and the shank 135 to which the spindle 133 is mounted.

Accordingly, the irradiation vessel 119 is inserted into the mounting hole 137 of the work bench 115 shown in a planar state in FIG. 5, and the protrusion 131 is inserted into the spindle 133 of the rock mechanism 123. Then, after the swivel arm 141 is fastened between the chain connector 129 and the shank 135, and the chain connector 129 is pulled upward, the ball 137 is mounted on the lower end of the spindle 133 so as to be movable left and right. ) Is irradiated from the groove 139 at the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the shank 135 and wedged on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 131 to fix the irradiation container 119 to the rocking mechanism 123.

Then, the irradiation vessel 119 coupled to the cable 121 is transferred to the reactor pool 103 through the crane 111 and injected into the reactor 113 irradiation hole 117. The swivel arm 141 shown in FIG. 5 after moving the irradiation vessel 119 whose neutron irradiation is completed with the cable 121 in the irradiation hole 117 to the worktable 115 is inserted into the mounting hole 137 again. 3) the arm 141 is inserted between the chain connector 129 and the shank 135 of the rock mechanism 123 as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the connector 129 is pushed down by using the working tool to release the coupling between the ball 137 and the protrusion 131 which are wedge-coupled, thereby completing the transport of the irradiation container 119.

Combination of the irradiation vessel 119 and the rocking mechanism 123 through the complicated operation as described above is to transport the irradiation vessel 119 is because all the instruments used for transportation except the irradiation vessel 119 is not disposable. This is because, once radiated, the operator cannot directly operate the instrument, but the work time required before and after the neutron irradiation operation is excessively delayed because the complex structure such as the rocking mechanism 123 must be used. There is a problem that the operation for coupling the 119 to the cable 121 is very difficult.

In particular, the irradiation vessel 119 coupled to the rocking mechanism 123 is loaded in the irradiation hole 117 in a fixed state to the cable 121 to 1: 1 so that only one is loaded in one irradiation hole 117. There is a problem that the productivity of the radiation source per irradiation process is low.

Recently, various technologies have been developed in the field of isotope production to solve the problems as described above. As such technology, a radioactive isotope irradiation container vacuum draw-out and transfer apparatus described in Korean Patent Publication No. 99-92142 is known. have.

Such a radioisotope vessel vacuum draw-out and transfer device uses a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum pressure, a hose for transferring the vacuum pressure generated from the vacuum pump to a predetermined position, and a vacuum pressure delivered from the hose. It is characterized by including an adsorption port for adsorbing the radioisotope irradiation vessel.

However, as described above, the radioactive isotope irradiation container vacuum drawing-out and conveying device has an advantage in that it is possible to load a plurality of irradiation containers in one irradiation hole by adsorbing, drawing / transporting and transporting the irradiation container in a vacuum. Since the irradiation vessel and the suction port are not mechanically coupled but are coupled only by the vacuum force itself, there is a problem that the irradiation container can be separated from the suction port during the transfer operation.

Furthermore, in order to adsorb the irradiation vessel by transferring the vacuum force from the outside to the pool where the irradiation vessel works, a strong vacuum pressure is required, and the water in the pool must be treated separately in the vacuum adsorption process. Of course, the work is cumbersome problem.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, by using a rocking mechanism to securely and easily fix, transport, and separation of the irradiation vessel by the operation according to the entry / withdrawal and transportation of the irradiation vessel The present invention provides a pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for radioisotope irradiation vessels to improve the productivity of radioisotopes so that the properties are improved.

1 is a schematic front view of a neutron irradiation plant used for radioisotope production.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the neutron irradiation apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which an irradiation container is fitted to a conventional irradiation container transporting device.

Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a chain connector, a spindle, the shank of the irradiation container transport ball device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a work table showing the swivel arm shown in FIG. 3; FIG.

Figure 6 is a front view showing the configuration of the pneumatic in / out and the transport mechanism of the radioactive isotope irradiation container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conceptual connection structure of a pneumatic rocking mechanism, a sensor cable, and a pneumatic hose in the pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism of the radioisotope irradiation container shown in FIG. 6; FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing the detailed structure of the pneumatic rock mechanism shown in FIGS.

Figure 9 is a front view schematically showing a neutron irradiation facility used for the pneumatic inlet / outtake and transport mechanism of the radioactive isotope irradiation container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

2: Pneumatic inlet / outlet and conveying mechanism 20: Pneumatic rocking mechanism

21: plug 23: cylinder

27: shank 29: insertion hole

30: inclined jaw 31: guide slope

33: spindle 35: ball

37: spring 39: sensor holder

40: proximity sensor 41, 68: stopper

50: control device 51: control panel

60: pneumatic hose 61: sensor cable

63 connector 64 air inlet

65 outlet port 67 pneumatic valve

69: support wire 70: automatic hose reel device

71: reel 75: mainspring

80: control stand

The present invention for achieving the object of the present invention as described above is to detect the insertion state of the projection of the projection of the vessel and the rocking mechanism for fixing the inserted projections in accordance with the supplied air pressure, and determine the insertion state of the projections to the rocking mechanism And a pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for a radioisotope irradiation vessel comprising a control device for controlling the provided pneumatic pressure, a sensor cable and a pneumatic hose connecting the control device and the rocking mechanism electrically and plumbingly. have.

In addition, the ball lock mechanism includes a plug in which the sensor cable passes through the central communication hole and is connected in communication with the lower end of the pneumatic hose, a cylindrical cylinder in which the plug is connected in communication with the upper end, and coaxially fastened to the lower end of the cylindrical cylinder. And an insertion hole into which the projection of the irradiation container is inserted from the lower portion at the lower end thereof, and a shank having an inclined jaw inclined downward toward the center on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole, and coupled to move upward in the cylinder when air pressure is supplied through the plug. A spindle into which the ball is inserted into and separated from the protrusion of the irradiation container inserted into the center while moving in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the center of the shaft by the inclined jaw contact of the shank on the lower end circumference; In order to detect the projection of the irradiation vessel inserted into the insertion hole of the shank, It is characterized in comprising a sensor holder is connected to the sensor to be installed.

And, the outer peripheral surface of the spindle is fitted with a sealing member for hermetically coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, the lower end of the insertion hole of the shank is characterized in that the guide inclined surface inclined upward from the outside to the center side.

Finally, the sensor cable is built into the pneumatic hose, and the upper part is provided with an air inlet communicating with the air pressure source and a connector formed with an outlet for drawing out the sensor cable to the outside to be connected to the control device. The pneumatic valve is intermittent by the installation, the support wire for connecting the connector and the plug through the stopper is installed inside the pneumatic hose, the pneumatic hose is characterized by being configured to be automatically wound by the automatic hose reel device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail based on the accompanying drawings.

6, 7 and 8 show the pneumatic inlet / outlet and delivery mechanism 2 of the radioisotope irradiation vessel according to an embodiment of the invention. The pneumatic inlet / outlet and conveying mechanism (2) is for inlet / outlet of the radioisotope irradiating vessel (19) with a conical protrusion (18) protruding thereon for holding into the irradiation hole and transported to the working position. To control the pneumatic mechanism 20 which is coupled to the protrusion 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 and the protrusion 18 of the irradiation vessel 19, and controls the pneumatic pressure provided to the rock mechanism 20. It comprises a device 50, a sensor cable 61 and a pneumatic hose 60 for electrically and plumbing the control device 50 and the rocking mechanism 20.

In other words, the rocking mechanism 20 detects the insertion state of the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 which is usually located in the pool during operation, and allows the rock formation of the projection 18 inserted in accordance with the supplied air pressure. It is composed of a plug 21, a cylinder 23, a shank 27, a spindle 33, a spring 37 and a sensor holder 39.

That is, the plug 21 has a communication hole 22 through which the sensor cable 61 passes downward in the center thereof, and the lower end of the pneumatic hose 60 communicates with the communication hole 22 at the upper outer circumferential surface thereof. Combined.

The cylinder 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape which is opened downwardly and is hermetically fastened to the lower outer peripheral surface of the plug 21 through the fastening hole 24 and the sealing member 25 formed at the upper end thereof, A male screw portion 26 for screwing with the shank 27 is formed.

The shank 27 is coaxially fastened to the male threaded portion 26 of the cylinder 23 through a female threaded portion 28 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper portion of the open portion, which is formed in a communication type open to the upper portion, and an irradiation vessel 19 at the lower portion. Insertion hole 29 through which the projection 18 of the insertion is inserted through the bottom is formed, the inclined jaw 30 inclined downward toward the center is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole (29). At the lower end of the insertion hole 29 of the shank 27, a guide inclined surface 31 inclined upward from the outside to the center side is formed.

The spindle 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be movable up and down in the cylinder 23 with the sealing member 34 fitted on the outer circumferential surface therebetween, and the lower end circumferentially contacting the inclined jaw 30 of the shank 27. The ball 35 is coupled to the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 inserted into the center while moving in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the long axis is fitted into the structure. Accordingly, when air pressure is supplied into the cylinder 23 through the plug 21, the spindle 33 is lowered like the ball 35 in contact with the inclined jaw 30, so that the projection 18 of the irradiation container 19 is lowered. ) And the balls 35 gathered to the center by the inclined jaw 30 can be coupled.

Then, the spring 37 and the outer peripheral surface of the spindle 33 so as to separate the ball 35 of the spindle 33 from the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 in the state that the air pressure in the cylinder 23 is released It is installed between the upper surface of the shank 27 to press the spindle 33 in the opposite direction of the pneumatic action, that is, the sensor holder 39 is mounted in the center of the spindle 33 to insert the hole of the shank 27 Proximity sensor 40 electrically connected to the sensor cable 61 is installed so as to detect the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 is inserted into (29).

On the other hand, the pneumatic hose 60 is connected to the control device 50 located outside the top of the pool to the plug 21 of the rocking mechanism 20 positioned from the reactor irradiation hole of the maximum pool located on the control device 50 side As a pipe for transmitting the air pressure generated from the air pressure source into the cylinder 23 of the rock mechanism 20, it is made of a flexible material capable of withstanding high pressure and high temperature.

In addition, a sensor cable 61 for connecting the proximity device 40 installed in the control device 50 and the sensor holder 39 is built in the pneumatic hose 60, and an upper portion of the air inlet communicating with an air pressure source ( 64) and a connector 63 having an outlet 65 for drawing the sensor cable 61 to the outside to be connected to the control device 50 is installed, and the air inlet 64 is interrupted by the control device 50. The pneumatic valve 67 is installed.

That is, the control device 50 is a state in which the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 is normally inserted into the insertion hole 29 of the shank 27 through the proximity sensor 40 embedded in the rock mechanism 20. When detected and displayed through the indicator 52 of the operation panel, when the projection 18 of the irradiation container 19 is inserted normally, when the operator operates the operation unit 53 of the control panel 51, the air inlet 64 Pneumatic valve (67) is opened to supply air pressure into the cylinder (23). And the control panel 51 is provided with the pressure gauge 54 which displays the pressure which acts on the rocking mechanism 20. As shown in FIG.

In addition, the inside of the pneumatic hose 60, the connector 63 through the stopper (41) (68) to prevent the pneumatic hose (60) from increasing its own load and the load of the rocking mechanism (20), the irradiation vessel 19, etc. ) And a support wire 69 connecting the plug 21 is installed. The pneumatic hose 60 is installed in the automatic hose reel device 70 to be automatically wound, the automatic hose reel device 70 is a reel 71 to which the pneumatic hose 60 is wound, and It is installed in conjunction with the central axis 73 of the reel (71) is composed of a spring (75) for generating a rotational force. At this time, the mainspring 75 may be replaced by an electric drive means.

On the other hand, the control device 50 and the automatic hose reel device 70 is mounted on the control stand 80, the control device 50 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper plate 81 of the control stand 80, automatic call The thrill device 70 is mounted on the bottom surface of the upper plate 81 of the control stand 80 through the bracket 77. Four lower surfaces of the control stand 80 are provided with a caster 83 to move back and forth, left and right, and a hanger 85 for moving the control stand 80 above the upper plate 81. Is installed.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9 again, the pool 1 applied to the present invention, the reactor pool 3, the working pool 5, the waste fuel storage pool 7, and the reactor pool 3 and the working pool 5 ) Is formed of a flow channel (9) connecting the top of the pool (1), the maneuvering crane 11 for work transfer is installed to be movable to the left and right, front and rear of the pool (1), the reactor pool (3) The reactor 13 installed on the bottom surface is provided with an irradiation hole 17 capable of loading a plurality of irradiation containers 19.

According to the pneumatic inlet / outlet and conveying mechanism 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

First, work in the state in which the control stand 80 provided with the rocking mechanism 20, the control device 50, and the automatic hose reel device 70 in which the pneumatic hose 60 is wound is located in the bridge crane 11; Investigation work is started.

For example, when the irradiation work is started, first, the pneumatic hose 60 connecting the rock mechanism 20 is lowered below the reactor pool 3 in which the irradiation vessel 19 is located. At this time, the pneumatic hose 60 wound around the reel 71 of the automatic hose reel device 70 is introduced into the irradiation hole 17 of the reactor 13 together with the lower rocker mechanism 20.

Thus, the projection 18 of the irradiation container 19 previously loaded in the irradiation hole 17 is inserted along the guide inclined surface 31 formed in the shank 27 of the rocking mechanism 20 which flows into the irradiation hole 17. When fully inserted into the ball 29, the proximity sensor 40 installed in the sensor holder 39 of the rocking mechanism 20 detects the engagement state of the projection vessel 19, projection 18, and the resulting electrical signal sensor Transmission to the control device 50 via a cable 61 to indicate this via the indicator light (52).

In this way, the operator who confirms the complete coupling state of the projection 18 of the irradiation container 19 and the rocking mechanism 20 operates the control panel 51 of the control device 50 to open the pneumatic valve 67 for rocking. Let's go. The air pressure generated from the pneumatic generator is transferred into the cylinder 23 through the connector 63, the pneumatic hose 60, and the plug 21 to pressurize and move the spindle 33 in the cylinder 23 downward. At this time, the ball 35 installed in the lower portion of the spindle 33 is pushed by the inclined jaw 30 of the shank 27 as the spindle 33 is lowered and collected in the center, and the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 and Mechanically coupled.

As described above, once the irradiation vessel 19 is fixed to the rocking mechanism 20 performs the withdrawal operation. At this time, the irradiation vessel 19 can be raised by the spring force 75 restoring force of the automatic hose reel device 70, but artificial work is required to avoid the obstacles in the ascending speed and the core.

And, the irradiation vessel 19 drawn out from the core is carried through the kernel through the bridge crane 11 to the work pool (5) can be put in a transfer vessel or the like, or a separate operation can be made, such as the irradiation vessel ( 19) is released to the target position to release the rock. That is, when the air pressure transmitted to the inside of the cylinder 23 through the connector 63, the pneumatic hose 60, and the plug 21 is released by closing the pneumatic valve 67, the spindle 33 is compressed by the lowering. The spring 37 which has been raised is raised to the original position of the spindle 33. At this time, the ball 35 rising like the spindle 33 is moved to the outside of the spindle 33 along the inclined jaw 30 of the shank 27 to be separated from the irradiation vessel 19 projection 18, The rocking mechanism 20 is separated from the irradiation vessel 19.

Therefore, in the present invention, by remotely manipulating the irradiation vessel 19 at a depth of 15 m by using the ball rock mechanism 20 controlled by pneumatic pressure, the separation, entry / extraction, and transport of the irradiation vessel 19 is performed by a conventional rock mechanism. Make it convenient than you used to.

In addition, the present invention enables the irradiation vessel 19 to be loaded in the irradiation hole 17 and then separated from the rocking mechanism 20, thereby loading a plurality of irradiation containers 19 in one irradiation hole 17. It becomes possible. That is, according to the present invention, the irradiation vessel 19 is irradiated with the irradiation vessel 19 without having to load the irradiation vessel 19 coupled to the rocking mechanism in a state of 1: 1 with the irradiation vessel 17 fixed to the cable. ), After the pneumatic rocking mechanism 20 is removed, and then another irradiation vessel 19 can be combined and reloaded into the irradiation hole 17, so that a plurality of irradiation vessels 19 can be provided in one irradiation hole 17. ) Can be loaded.

As described above, the present invention can easily enter / withdraw and transport the irradiation vessel to the irradiation hole by using a ball lock mechanism controlled by pneumatic pressure, it is convenient to work to improve the workability of the irradiation vessel.

In addition, the present invention can be separated after loading the irradiation vessel by using a rocking mechanism controlled by pneumatic pressure, it is useful to mass-produce the production of the door radiation source to load a plurality of irradiation vessels in one irradiation hole There is this.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims. Anyone can grow up easily.

Claims (7)

In the apparatus for entering / drawing and transporting the radioisotope irradiation vessel 19 with the projection 18 protruding thereon, the insertion state of the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 is sensed according to the air pressure supplied. A rocking mechanism 20 for rock-locking the inserted projection 18, a control device 50 for determining the insertion state of the projection 18 and controlling the pneumatic pressure provided to the rocking mechanism 20, and the control Pneumatic inlet / outlet and delivery mechanism for a radioactive isotopic irradiation container comprising a sensor cable 61 and a pneumatic hose 60 connecting the device 50 and the rocking mechanism 20 electrically and plumbingly. . According to claim 1, The rocking mechanism 20 is the plug 21 is coupled to the sensor cable 61 passes through the central communication hole 22 and is in communication with the lower end of the pneumatic hose 60, The cylindrical cylinder 23 is coupled to communicate with the upper end of the plug 21, the lower end of the cylindrical cylinder 23 is coaxially fastened and the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 is inserted into the lower end from the bottom An insertion hole 29 is formed and a shank 27 having an inclined jaw 30 inclined downward toward the center on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 29 and the cylinder when air pressure is supplied through the plug 21. And projections 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 which are coupled to move upward in the 23 and inserted into the center while moving in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the inclined jaw 30 contact of the shank 27 on the lower end circumference. Pneumatically compress the spindle 33 and the spindle 33 to which the ball 35 to be coupled and separated The sensor cable 61 and the sensor cable 61 to detect the spring 37 for pressing in the opposite direction of the dragon and the projection 18 of the irradiation vessel 19 is inserted into the insertion hole 29 of the shank 27 A pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for a radioactive isotope irradiation container comprising a sensor holder (39) on which a sensor (40) is connected. According to claim 2, the outer peripheral surface of the spindle 33 is fitted with a sealing member 34 for hermetically coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23, the lower end of the insertion hole 29 of the shank 27 A pneumatic inlet / outlet and delivery mechanism for a radioisotope irradiation vessel, characterized in that a guide inclined surface 31 inclined upward from the outside to the center side. According to claim 1, wherein the sensor cable 61 is built in the inside of the pneumatic hose 60, the upper end portion of the air inlet 64 and the sensor cable 61 in communication with the air pressure source control device 50 The connector 63 is formed with an outlet 65 for drawing out to be connected to the outside, and the pneumatic valve 67 intermittent by the control device 50 is installed in the air inlet 64 Pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for radioisotope investigation vessels. The method of claim 4, wherein the support wire 69 for connecting the connector 63 and the plug 21 through the stopper 41, 68 is installed inside the pneumatic hose (60). Pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanism for radioisotope irradiation vessels. 5. The pneumatic inlet / outlet and delivery mechanism of a radioisotope irradiation vessel according to claim 4, wherein the pneumatic hose (60) is automatically wound by an automatic hose reel device (70). 7. The radioactive equalizer according to claim 6, wherein the hose reel device (70) and the control device (50) are mounted on a control stand (80) having a caster (83) moving in the front, rear, left and right directions at a lower part thereof. Pneumatic inlet / outlet and transport mechanisms for elemental probes.