Control rod drive mechanism and reactor control system

This disclosure relates to reactor control, and more particularly to a control rod drive mechanism and a reactor control system. The control rod drive mechanism includes a lifting-lowering assembly, a mounting assembly and a release assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to mount a control rod. The lifting-lowering assembly includes a fixing component, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism and a lifting-lowering component. An end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism is connected to the fixing component, and the other end is connected to the lifting-lowering component. The scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism is configured to drive the lifting-lowering component to move close to or away from the fixing component. The release assembly is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering component, and is detachably connected to the mounting assembly. The release assembly is configured to move relative to the lifting-lowering component when power is off to release the mounting assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202011005393.7, filed on Sep. 22, 2020. The content of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to reactor control, and more particularly to a control rod drive mechanism and a reactor control system.

BACKGROUND

A control rod drive mechanism is configured in the reactor control system to drive the rising and lowering of the control rod.

Currently, limited by the available space in the reactor control system, the commercially-available control rod drive mechanism usually drives the control rod to rise and fall through a stepped reciprocating motion. Therefore, the existing control rod drive mechanism generally has a short lifting stroke, a discontinuous lifting process and a low response speed for large moving distance.

SUMMARY

An object of this application is to provide a control rod drive mechanism to overcome the defects in the prior art, which has small space occupation, and can drive the control rod to continuously rise and fall.

Another object of this application is to provide a reactor control system, which can create larger usable space and drive the control rod to continuously rise and fall.

The technical solutions of this application are described as follows.

In a first aspect, this application provides a control rod drive mechanism, comprising:

a mounting assembly; and

a release assembly;

wherein the mounting assembly is configured to mount a control rod;

the lifting-lowering assembly comprises a fixing component, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism and a lifting-lowering component; an end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism close to the fixing component is connected to the fixing component, and an end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism away from the fixing component is connected to the lifting-lowering component; the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism is configured to drive the lifting-lowering component to move close to or away from the fixing component; and

the release assembly is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering component, and is detachably connected to the mounting assembly; and the release assembly is configured to move relative to the lifting-lowering component when power is off, so as to release the mounting assembly.

In some embodiments, the release assembly comprises a slidable main body, an electromagnet, a fixing base and a first elastic component; the slidable main body is in sliding fit with the lifting-lowering component; the mounting assembly is detachably connected to the slidable main body; the electromagnet and the fixing base are arranged on the lifting-lowering component; two ends of the first elastic component are respectively connected to the fixing base and the slidable main body; the electromagnet is configured to attract the slidable main body when power is on; and the first elastic component is configured to drive the slidable main body to move on the lifting-lowering component in a direction away from the electromagnet when power is off, so as to disconnect the slidable main body from the mounting assembly.

In some embodiments, the slidable main body comprises a support frame, a first support block, a second support block and an armature; the support frame is in sliding fit with the lifting-lowering component; the armature is arranged on an outer wall of an end of the support frame near the electromagnet; the first support block and the second support block are arranged spaced apart on an inner wall of an end of the support frame away from the electromagnet; and the mounting assembly is straddledly arranged between the first support block and the second support block.

In some embodiments, a side of the lifting-lowering component close to the fixing component is provided with a guide sliding groove; the slidable main body is in sliding fit with the guide sliding groove; the electromagnet and the fixing base are arranged in the guide sliding groove; a bottom wall of the guide sliding groove is penetratedly provided with a release hole; the mounting assembly penetrates through the release hole to be detachably connected to the slidable main body; and when the mounting assembly is disconnected from the slidable main body, the mounting assembly moves in a direction away from the slidable main body through the release hole.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly comprises a mounting component and a straddling component; an end of the straddling component close to the mounting component is connected to a side of the mounting component; an end of the straddling component away from the mounting component is straddledly provided on the release assembly; and a side of the mounting component away from the straddling component is configured for arrangement of a plurality of control rods.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly further comprises a second elastic component; an end of the second elastic component close to the mounting component is arranged on a side of the mounting component close to the release assembly; and an end of the second elastic component away from the mounting component abuts against a side of the lifting-lowering component away from the fixing component.

In some embodiments, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism comprises a scissor-type bracket and a drive component; the drive component is arranged on the fixing component; two ends of the scissor-type bracket are respectively connected to the fixing component and the lifting-lowering component; and a movable side of an end of the scissor-type bracket connected to the fixing component is connected to an output end of the drive component, so as to slide on the fixing component under drive of the drive component.

In some embodiments, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism further comprises a connecting rod; the scissor-type bracket comprises a plurality of scissor-type brackets; a movable side of an end of each of the plurality of scissor-type brackets connected to the fixing component is connected via the connecting rod; the output end of the drive component is connected to the connecting rod; and the connecting rod is configured to drive the movable side of the end of each of the plurality of scissor-type brackets to synchronously slide on the fixing component under drive of the drive component.

In some embodiments, a first slide rail is provided on the fixing component; a first pulley is provided on the movable side of the end of each of the plurality of scissor-type brackets connected to the fixing component; the first pulley is in sliding fit with the first slide rail; a second slide rail is provided on the lifting-lowering component; a second pulley is provided on a movable side of an end of each of the plurality of scissor-type brackets connected to the lifting-lowering component; the second pulley is in sliding fit with the second slide rail; and the second slide rail is parallel to the first slide rail.

In a second aspect, this application provides a reactor control system, comprising:

a control rod drive mechanism;

wherein the control rod drive mechanism comprises a lifting-lowering assembly, a mounting assembly and a release assembly; the mounting assembly is configured to mount a control rod; the lifting-lowering assembly comprises a fixing component, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism and a lifting-lowering component; an end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism close to the fixing component is connected to the fixing component, and an end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism away from the fixing component is connected to the lifting-lowering component; the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism is configured to drive the lifting-lowering component to move close to or away from the fixing component; the release assembly is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering component, and is detachably connected to the mounting assembly; and the release assembly is configured to move relative to the lifting-lowering component when power is off so as to release the mounting assembly.

Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects. This application provides a control rod drive mechanism, of which the lifting-lowering assembly includes a fixing component, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism and a lifting-lowering component. The fixing component drives the lifting-lowering component to continuously rise and fall through the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism. The release assembly is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering component. The mounting assembly and the release assembly are detachably connected, and the mounting assembly is configured to mount the control rod. In practical applications, the control rod is arranged on the mounting assembly, and the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism drives the mounting assembly to perform continuous rising-falling movement through the lifting-lowering component and the release assembly, thereby driving the control rod to perform continuous—rising-falling motion. Compared with the stepping moving mechanism in the prior art, this application realizes the continuous rising-falling control of the control rod and improves the response speed of the control rod. In addition, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism has the function of enlarging the stroke and requires less mounting space, realizing the long-distance rising-falling of the control rod. Therefore, the control rod drive mechanism provided herein has a smaller mounting space and a faster response speed, and significantly increases the lifting stroke of the control rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to render the objects, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the disclosure clearer, the disclosure will be described below in detail in conjunction with accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The components illustrated in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments presented in the accompanying drawings is merely intended to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters indicate similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once a certain item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

It should be noted that direction and position relationships indicated by terms such as up, down, inner, outer, left, right, etc. are based on the direction and position relationships shown in the drawings, or the direction and position relationship in which the product claimed herein is usually placed in use, or the direction and position relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. These terms are only for the convenience of describing the technical solutions and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the terms such as “first” and “second” are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance.

As used herein, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as “arrange” and “connect” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, “connect” can be a fixed connection, or a detachable connection, or an integral connection, or a mechanical connection, or electrical connection; or direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or internal communication between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above-mentioned terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

The disclosure will be further described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 1, a control rod drive mechanism100is provided in this embodiment, which is applied to a reactor control system to drive the control rod in the reactor to rise and fall. The control rod drive mechanism100has small space occupation and better applicability, and facilitates saving the available space of the reactor control system. Moreover, it also has a faster response speed, which greatly improves the lifting stroke of the control rod.

The control rod drive mechanism100provided herein includes a lifting-lowering assembly110, a release assembly130and a mounting assembly150. The release assembly130is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering assembly110. The mounting assembly150and the release assembly130are detachably connected for mounting the control rod. The lifting-lowering assembly110drives the mounting assembly150and the control rod to rise and fall through the continuously lifting and lowering the release assembly130, and control the control rod can be fall back to the reactor after power off through releasing the mounting assembly150by the release assembly130when the power is cut off, which complies with industry safety regulations.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the lifting-lowering assembly110includes a fixing component111, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113and a lifting-lowering component115. An end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113close to the fixing component is connected to the fixing component111, and an end of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113away from the fixing component111is connected to the lifting-lowering component115. Through the relative rotation of the scissor-type arm and the connecting rod, the lifting-lowering component115of the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113moves close to or away from the fixing component111. In practical application, the fixing component111is fixedly arranged in the reactor control system, and the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113is extended in the vertical direction to realize the lifting and lowering of the lifting-lowering component115.

In the control rod drive mechanism100, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113is used instead of a traditional stepping moving mechanism, which can drive the control rod to continuously rise and fall and has a higher response speed. In addition, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113can enlarge the lift stroke of the control rod, and achieve a larger moving stroke in a limited space.

The scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113includes a scissor-type bracket1131and a drive component1133. Two ends of the scissor-type bracket1131are respectively connected to the fixing component111and the lifting-lowering component115. The drive component1133is arranged on an end of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115. In this embodiment, the two scissor-type arms corresponding to an end of the scissor-type bracket1131connected to the fixing component111are respectively set as a fixed side and a movable side. The fixed side is hinged to the fixing component111, and the movable side is in sliding fit with a side of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115. During the movement process of the movable side towards the fixed side on the fixing component111, the scissor-type bracket1131continues to stretch, thereby driving the lifting-lowering component115to continue to fall. During the movement process of the movable side away from the fixed side on the fixing component111, the scissor-type bracket1131continues to retract, thereby driving the lifting-lowering component115to continue to rise.

In this embodiment, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the lifting process, the scissor-type bracket1131includes two scissor-type brackets1131, and the two scissor-type brackets1131are opposed and arranged spaced apart between the fixing component111and the lifting-lowering component115.

In order to ensure the synchronous stretch and retract of the two scissor-type brackets1131, thereby ensuring the smooth lifting and lowering of the lifting-lowering component115, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113further includes a connecting rod1135. The two scissor-type brackets1131are connected to the movable side of an end of the fixing component111by a connecting rod1135. The drive component1133is arranged on the side of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115, and the output end of the drive component1133is connected to the connecting rod1135for driving the connecting rod1135to move on the surface of the fixing component111. Furthermore, the two scissor-type brackets1131are connected to the movable side of an end of the fixing component111to slide synchronously on the surface of the fixing component111, so as to realize the smooth lifting and lowering of the lifting-lowering component115. It can be seen that the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113adopted in this embodiment converts a short-stroke horizontal movement into a long-stroke vertical movement. In practical applications, the lifting stroke and lowering stroke of the control rod are enlarged.

In this embodiment, to ensure the stability of the movement process, the drive component1133adopts an oil cylinder. The oil cylinder is arranged on the side of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115, and the extension direction of the piston rod is parallel to the surface at a side of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115, the end of the piston rod is perpendicular to and is connected the connecting rod1135. The two scissor-type brackets1131is driven by the connecting rod1135and are respectively connected to the movable side of an end of the fixing component111to slide synchronously on the surface of the fixing component111, so as to realize the smooth lifting and lowering of the lifting-lowering component115. In some embodiments, other drive devices such as air cylinders can also be used to meet the requirements of stable output.

In addition, according to the actual application environment and the actual load on the lifting-lowering component115, in other embodiments, the number of scissor-type brackets1131can be adjusted adaptively.

Two first slide rails1111are arranged in parallel and spaced apart on the side of the fixing component111close to the lifting-lowering component115. The movable side of an end of the fixing component111connected to the two scissor-type brackets1131is respectively provided with a first pulley1132, and the two first pulleys1132are in sliding fit with the two first slide rails1111respectively. The connecting rod1135is arranged between the two first slide rails1111, and is perpendicular to the two first slide rails1111simultaneously. The connecting rod1135drives the two first pulleys1132to slide synchronously along the two first slide rails1111under the action of the drive component1133.

Two second slide rails1151are arranged in parallel and spaced apart on the side of the lifting-lowering component115close to the fixing component111, and each of the second slide rails1151is parallel to the first slide rail1111. The movable side of an end of the lifting-lowering component115connected to the two scissor-type brackets1131is respectively provided with a second pulley1134, and the two second pulleys1134are in sliding fit with the two second slide rails1151respectively. The fixed side of an end of the lifting-lowering component115connected to the two scissor-type brackets1131is respectively hinged to a side of the lifting-lowering component115close to the fixing component111.

When the two first pulleys1132slide along the two first slide rails1111under drive of the connecting rod1135, the two second pulleys1134are driven to slide along the two second slide rails1151in the same direction through the scissor arms and the connecting rod1135.

The release component130is movably arranged on the lifting-lowering component115and detachably connected to the mounting component150. The release component130is configured to move relative to the lifting-lowering component115when the power is off, so as to be disconnected from the mounting component150. In practice, the control rods are mounted to the mounting assembly150, and release of the control rods is achieved when the release assembly130is disconnected from the mounting assembly150.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the release assembly130includes a slidable main body131, an electromagnet133, a fixing base135and a first elastic component137. The slidable main body131is in sliding fit with the lifting-lowering component115. The mounting assembly150and slidable main body131are detachably connected. The electromagnet133and the fixing base135are fixedly arranged on the lifting-lowering component115respectively. Two ends of first elastic component137are connected to the fixing base135and the slidable main body131, respectively.

In the process that the lifting-lowering assembly110drives the control rod to lift through the release assembly130and the mounting assembly150, the electromagnet133keeps an electrified state and attracts the slidable main body131, and the elastic potential energy is accumulated on the first elastic component137. When the electromagnet133is de-energized, the slidable main body131moves away from the electromagnet133under an action of the first elastic component137, so as to be disconnected from the mounting assembly150.

In this embodiment, the first elastic component137is a spring. The electromagnet133and the fixing base135are both arranged at the same end of the slidable main body131. An end of the spring is connected to an end of the slidable main body131close to the electromagnet133, and an end of the spring away from the slidable main body131is connected to a side of the fixing base135close to the slidable main body131. When the electromagnet133is in the energized state, the slidable main body131is attracted to the electromagnet133, and the spring is in a compressed state. When the electromagnet133is de-energized, the spring relaxes to push the slidable main body131to move away from the electromagnet133on the lifting-lowering component115.

The slidable main body131includes a support frame1311, a first support block1313, a second support block1315and an armature1317. The support frame1311is in sliding fit with the lifting-lowering component115. The armature1317is arranged on an outer wall of an end of the support frame1311close to the electromagnet133, which is used to attract the electromagnet133by the action of the magnetic field when the electromagnet133is energized. The first support block1313and the second support block1315are respectively arranged spaced apart on the inner wall of the end of the support frame1311away from the electromagnet133, and the mounting assembly150is straddledly arranged between the first support block1313and the second support block1315.

The first support block1313and the second support block1315are respectively arranged on an inner wall of an end of the support frame1311away from the electromagnet133. An inner wall of an end of the support frame1311close to the electromagnet133is enclosed to form a release space1312. When the electromagnet133is energized, the mounting assembly150is straddled between the first support block1313and the second support block1315. When the electromagnet133is de-energized, under the action of the first elastic component137, the first support block1313and the second support block1315move in a direction away from the electromagnet133relative to the mounting assembly150, that is, the mounting assembly150moves in a direction close to the electromagnet133relative to the support frame1311. When the first support block1313and the second support block1315are disconnected from the mounting assembly150, the mounting assembly150falls into the release space1312in the support frame1311, and then falls out of the support frame1311from the release space1312, completing the release of the mounting assembly150.

In this embodiment, a side of the lifting-lowering component115close to the fixing component111is recessed with a guide sliding groove1153, and the support frame1311is arranged in the guide sliding groove1153and is in sliding fit with the guide sliding groove1153. The electromagnet133and the fixing base135are respectively fixedly arranged in the guide sliding groove1153and correspond to a same end of the support frame1311. When the electromagnet133is suddenly de-energized, under the action of the first elastic component137, the support frame1311is slid along the guide sliding groove1153in a direction away from the electromagnet133.

Considering the stability of the lifting process of the mounting assembly150, in this embodiment, two release assemblies130are provided. The extending direction of the guide sliding groove1153is in the direction of the central axis of the lifting-lowering component115. The two release assemblies130are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the guide sliding groove1153respectively, and are connected to the mounting assembly150and release the mounting assembly150at the same time. In some embodiments, the number of the release component130can also be adjusted adaptively according to the specific application environment and the actual load of the mounting component150, and the number and arrangement of the guide sliding groove1153can be adjusted accordingly.

To ensure the smooth release of the mounting assembly150, a release hole1154penetrates through the bottom wall of the guide sliding groove1153, and the mounting assembly150passes through the release hole1154to straddle between the first support block1313and the second support block1315in the support frame1311to ensure that the control rod is released after the mounting assembly150is slid onto the release spaces1312by the first support block1313and second support block1315and then moved in a direction away from the fixing component111.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, in this embodiment, the mounting assembly150includes a mounting component151, a straddling component153and a second elastic component155. An end of the straddling component153close to the mounting component is connected to a side of the mounting component151. An end of the straddling component153away from the mounting component151penetrates through the release hole1154and straddledly provided between the first support block1313and the second support block1315.

Corresponding to the number of release component130, two straddling components153are provided, and each end of the two straddling components153is respectively connected to two symmetrical center positions on a side of the mounting component151. An end of each of the two straddling components153away from the mounting component151is straddledly arranged on the first support block1313and the second support block1315in the support frame1311of the two release assemblies130respectively. The side of the mounting component151away from the lifting-lowering component115is configured to mount the control rod. An end of the second elastic component155is arranged on the side of the mounting component151close to the lifting-lowering component115, and the end of the second elastic component155away from the mounting component151abuts against a side of the lifting-lowering component111close to the mounting component151.

The second elastic component155is in a compressed state. When the electromagnet133is de-energized, the support frame1311slides along the guide sliding groove1153in a direction away from the electromagnet133, and the two straddling components153slide into the two release spaces1312at the same time. In addition, the second elastic component155relaxes to release the elastic potential energy, so as to push the mounting component151to move in a direction away from the lifting-lowering component115. In practice, the mounting component151is pushed to fall quickly, thereby realizing the quick release of the control rod.

In this embodiment, the straddling component153is an I-shaped steel. In order to reduce the static friction between the I-shaped steel and the first support block1313and the second support block1315, so that the I-shaped steel can be smoothly slid from the first support block1313and the second support block1315into the release space1312, the straddling component153can also be made of other materials with an I-shape and a smaller surface roughness. Similarly, the first support block1313and the second support block1315are made of a material with a small surface roughness.

In addition, in this embodiment, the mounting component151is a plate, and an end of the mounting component151away from the lifting-lowering component115can be mounted with a plurality of control rods at the same time, which realizes the simultaneous control of the plurality of control rods.

This application provides the control rod drive mechanism100. A plurality of control rods are mounted on the side of the mounting component151away from the lifting-lowering component115, and the two straddling components153are respectively straddledly arranged on the first support block1313and the second support block1315in the two support frames1311. The electromagnet133is energized, the armature1317provided on the outer wall of the support frame1311is attracted on the surface of the electromagnet133, and the first elastic component137and the second elastic component155are in compressed state. The drive component1133pushes the connecting rod1135to move in the horizontal direction, and drives the first pulley1132to slide back and forth along the first guide rail, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering of the lifting-lowering component115.

When the electromagnet133is de-energized suddenly, the support frame1311slides along the guide sliding groove1153away from the electromagnet133under the action of the first elastic component137, so as to drive the first support block1313and the second support block1315to disconnect from the straddling component153, and the straddling component153slides into the release space1312. When the straddling component153slides into the release space1312, the second elastic component155stretches to push the mounting component151to fall vertically, and the mounting component151drives the straddling component153to quickly exit the release hole1154, and drives multiple control rods to fall quickly, realizing the quick release of the plurality of the control rods.

Therefore, the control rod drive mechanism100provided herein has a smaller mounting space requirement, wider applicability, saves available space for the reactor control system, and has a faster response speed, which greatly increases the lifting stroke of the control rod.

This embodiment provides a reactor control system100, which includes the control rod drive mechanism100provided in the Embodiment 1.

In the control rod drive mechanism100, a scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113is used instead of a traditional stepping moving mechanism, which can drive the control rod to continuously rise and fall and has a higher response speed. In addition, the scissor-type lifting-lowering mechanism113can enlarge the lift stroke of the control rod, achieve a larger moving stroke in a limited mounting space, and save the available space of the reactor control system. Therefore, the reactor control system provided herein has a larger usable space, and can drive the control rod to continuously long-distance rise and fall.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any changes, modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.