JP7527262B2 - Equipment introduction device and equipment introduction method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an equipment introduction device and an equipment introduction method for introducing equipment from one area to another area.

For example, in a nuclear facility, a controlled area where radiation control is required is separated from a general area where control is not required by a partition. Pipes pass through the partition, and the pipes are sealed, for example, by opening and closing members. An example of such technology is described in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-048380

When introducing equipment such as cameras or measuring instruments from the general area to the controlled area, the seal made by the opening and closing member is released, the equipment is introduced through the pipe, and then the end of the pipe is sealed. However, there is a demand to introduce multiple pieces of equipment from the general area to the controlled area. In this case, when equipment is already placed in the pipe, it is difficult to introduce another piece of equipment while keeping the end of the pipe sealed.

The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an equipment introduction device and an equipment introduction method that can introduce multiple devices while maintaining the sealing state of two areas.

To achieve the above object, the equipment introduction device of the present disclosure includes a cover member that can be attached to close the opening, a plurality of equipment introduction tubes with one end passing through the cover member, a sealing member insertion tube with one end communicating with the middle of the equipment introduction tube, and a sealing member that can be inserted into the equipment introduction tube from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube and can contact and seal the inner surface of the equipment introduction tube.

The method of introducing an instrument according to the present disclosure includes the steps of closing an opening with a cover member through which one end of the instrument introduction tube is inserted, inserting a sealing member from a sealing member insertion tube connected to the middle of the instrument introduction tube and moving it into the instrument introduction tube, contacting the sealing member with the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube to seal it, inserting an instrument from the other end of the instrument introduction tube and then sealing the other end of the instrument introduction tube, releasing the sealing of the instrument introduction tube with the sealing member, and introducing the instrument through the opening while maintaining the sealing of the other end of the instrument introduction tube.

The device introduction device and device introduction method disclosed herein allow multiple devices to be introduced while maintaining the sealed state of the two areas.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an equipment introduction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an instrument introduction tube and a sealing member insertion tube. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the other end of the sealing member insertion tube. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the instrument introduction tube is sealed by the sealing member. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the device introduction method. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of introducing the equipment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of introducing the equipment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the device introduction method. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the device introduction method. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the device introduction method. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the device introduction method.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, the present disclosure also includes configurations that combine the various embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art would easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

<Equipment introduction device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an equipment introduction device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in a nuclear facility such as a nuclear power plant, a controlled area 101A where radiation management is required and a general area 101B where management is not required are separated by a partition (not shown). In other words, the controlled area 101A is an area where radioactive substances as harmful substances exist, and the general area 101B is an area where radioactive substances as harmful substances do not exist in amounts greater than those that adversely affect the human body. The existing pipe 102 has a cylindrical shape, and one end in the axial direction is connected to the controlled area 101A. One end of the connecting pipe 103 is connected to the other end in the axial direction of the existing pipe 102, for example, by welding. The connecting pipe 103 is provided with an opening and closing device 104. The opening and closing device 104 has a shutter 105 that divides the inside of the connecting pipe 103. The opening and closing device 104 may be a ball valve.

The opening/closing device 104 can move the shutter between an open position and a closed position. The opening/closing device 104 can separate the inside of the connecting pipe 103 by moving the shutter 105. That is, when the shutter 105 moves to the closed position, the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B are sealed, and when the shutter 105 moves to the open position, the sealed state between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B is released, and the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B are connected. The shutter 105 functions as a boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B.

The connecting pipe 103 is provided with a fixing device 106. The fixing device 106 has a hydraulic jack 107 and a hook 108. A plurality of hydraulic jacks 107 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 103. The hydraulic jack 107 can move the hook 108 in the axial direction of the connecting pipe 103. The fixing device 106 can fix the equipment introduction device 10 to the other end of the connecting pipe 103 by moving the hook 108 with the hydraulic jack 107.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the equipment introduction device 10 includes a cover member 11, a plurality of equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D, and a sealing member 14. The equipment introduction device 10 can be fixed to the other end of the connecting pipe 103.

The connecting pipe 103 has an opening 109 at the other end and a flange portion 110 on the outer periphery. The cover member 11 can be attached to close the opening 109 of the connecting pipe 103. The cover member 11 has a flat plate portion 21 and a cylindrical portion 22. The flat plate portion 21 has a disk shape and has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the opening 109 and approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flange portion 110. The flat plate portion 21 can be tightly attached to the flange portion 110 of the connecting pipe 103. The cylindrical portion 22 is fixed integrally to one flat portion of the flat plate portion 21. The cylindrical portion 22 can be fitted into the opening 109 of the connecting pipe 103. The cylindrical portion 22 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening 109. Ring-shaped seal members (e.g., O-rings) 23, 24 are attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 22.

The cylindrical portion 22 of the cover member 11 fits into the opening 109 of the connecting pipe 103, and the flat portion 21 abuts against the flange portion 110 of the connecting pipe 103. At this time, the seal members 23, 24 of the cylindrical portion 22 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 103. The fixing device 106 of the connecting pipe 103 fixes the cover member 11 to the connecting pipe 103 by contracting the hydraulic jack 107, engaging the hook 108 with the flat portion 21 of the cover member 11 and pulling it toward the connecting pipe 103. Here, the interior (controlled area 101A) of the connecting pipe 103 is sealed from the outside (general area 101B).

One end of each of the multiple (four in this embodiment) equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D penetrates the cover member 11. The multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are arranged along the axial direction of the connecting pipe 103 at a position radially outwardly shifted from the center of the connecting pipe 103. The multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 103. The multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D each have an outer diameter and an inner diameter according to the size of the equipment. One end of each of the multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D is fitted into the through holes 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d formed in the flat plate portion 21 of the cover member 11, and is fixed, for example, by welding. One end of each of the multiple equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D penetrates the flat plate portion 21 and protrudes a small length into the connecting pipe 103.

Here, the equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are for introducing and retrieving various types of equipment into the controlled area 101A. For example, the equipment introduction pipe 12A is for introducing a camera that takes pictures of the controlled area 101A. The equipment introduction pipe 12B is for introducing a spray that sprays cleaning water to clean the area. The equipment introduction pipe 12C is for introducing a thermometer, water level gauge, and the like that measure the environment of the controlled area 101A. The equipment introduction pipe 12D is for introducing lighting equipment required when monitoring the controlled area 101A with a camera. Note that the number of equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D and the equipment introduced are not limited to those described above.

One end of each of the multiple (four in this embodiment) sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D is connected to the inside of the device introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D from the middle. The multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are arranged outside the multiple device introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. The multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 103. The multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D each have the same outer diameter and inner diameter, but may be sized to match the device introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. The multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are connected to the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D at an incline toward the other end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. That is, the multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are arranged at an inclination angle θ so that one end faces one end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, and are connected, for example, by welding, so that one end communicates with the middle part of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. It is preferable that the inclination angle θ is less than 90 degrees and is a small angle.

The sealing member 14 can be inserted into the inside of the instrument introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and can contact and seal the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. The sealing member 14 has a balloon 31 and a gas supply tube 32 that can supply gas to the inside of the balloon 31. The sealing member 14 functions as a boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B (see Figure 1 for both).

<Opening/Closing Members and Sealing Members>
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an instrument introduction tube and a sealing member insertion tube, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the other end of the sealing member insertion tube.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are provided with an opening/closing member 41 and a first seal member 42. The equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are provided with a second seal member 43. The opening/closing member 41, the first seal member 42, and the second seal member 43 function as a boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B (see FIG. 1 for all). Here, the opening/closing members 41 and the first seal member 42 provided in the multiple sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D have the same configuration. The second seal members 43 provided in the multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D have the same configuration.

As shown in FIG. 3, the opening/closing member 41 is provided in the middle of the sealing member insertion tube 13A (13B, 13C, 13D). The opening/closing member 41 is, for example, a ball valve. The ball valve is configured by housing a ball-shaped valve body with a through hole inside. The ball valve changes the direction of the through hole by 90 degrees by rotating the valve body with an operating lever, thereby opening and closing the passage. The opening/closing member 41 can be switched between a closed state in which the internal passage of the sealing member insertion tube 13A is closed, and an open state in which the balloon 31 as the sealing member 14 can be inserted. Note that the opening/closing member 41 is not limited to a ball valve, and may be, for example, a shutter.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first seal member 42 is provided at the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A (13B, 13C, 13D). That is, the first seal member 42 is disposed on the other end side of the opening and closing member 41 in the sealing member insertion tube 13A. The first seal member 42 has two O-rings 51, 52 fixed to the sealing member insertion tube 13A by an attachment member 53 and a number of attachment screws 54. The attachment member 53 has a cylindrical shape, and a through hole 53a is formed in the center through which the gas supply tube 32 of the sealing member 14 can be inserted. In addition, the attachment member 53 has a ring-shaped attachment groove 53b formed on the outside of the through hole 53a. And, the attachment member 53 has an O-ring 51 attached to the inner periphery of the through hole 53a.

An O-ring 52 is attached to the inner circumference of the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. The mounting groove 53b of the mounting member 53 fits into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. At this time, the O-ring 52 of the sealing member insertion tube 13A is in close contact with the inner circumference of the mounting groove 53b of the mounting member 53. The mounting member 53 is fixed to the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A by a plurality of mounting screws 54 while being fitted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. The first seal member 42 allows the gas supply tube 32 of the sealing member 14 to be inserted into the through hole 53a. At this time, the O-ring 51 can be sealed by contacting the outer circumference of the gas supply tube 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second seal member 43 is provided at the other end of the instrument introduction tube 12A (12B, 12C, 12D). That is, the second seal member 43 is disposed on the other end side of the connection part of the sealing member insertion tube 13A in the instrument introduction tube 12A. The second seal member 43 has two O-rings 55, 56. The O-rings 55, 56 are attached to the inner circumference of the other end of the instrument introduction tube 12A with a gap in the axial direction. The instrument introduction tube 12A can be inserted with the plugging member 71 and can be moved by inserting the instrument introduction jig 72. The second seal member 43 can contact the outer circumferential surface of the plugging member 71 or the instrument introduction jig 72 when the plugging member 71 or the instrument introduction jig 72 is inserted into the instrument introduction tube 12A to seal it.

<Sealing member>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the instrument introduction tube is sealed by the sealing member.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the sealing member 14 can be inserted into the inside of the instrument introduction tube 12A (12B, 12C, 12D) from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A (13B, 13C, 13D). The sealing member 14 has a balloon 31 and a gas supply tube 32. The balloon 31 is made of, for example, an elastic material (e.g., rubber, etc.) that has elasticity. The balloon 31 has an opening 31a. The balloon 31 has a rod shape when contracted when gas is discharged, and has a spherical or cylindrical shape when expanded when gas is supplied. The gas supplied to the balloon 31 is preferably, for example, air or an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen, etc.).

The gas supply pipe 32 is made of a flexible tubular resin member (e.g., a nylon pipe, a Teflon (registered trademark) pipe, a urethane pipe, etc.). The tip of the gas supply pipe 32 is inserted into the opening 31a of the balloon 31, and extends to the inner wall surface of the balloon 31 on the opposite side to the opening 31a. In other words, a minute gap is formed between the tip of the gas supply pipe 32 and the inner wall surface of the balloon 31 on the opposite side. Therefore, since the tip side of the gas supply pipe 32 is located inside the balloon 31, the balloon 31 is supported by the tip side of the gas supply pipe 32 even when contracted, and is maintained in a rod shape. Note that the extent of the extension length of the gas supply pipe 32 from the opening 31a of the balloon 31 is not limited to this depending on the properties such as the softness and stiffness of the balloon 31.

The sealing member 14 has one end of the gas supply tube 32 connected to the base end of the balloon 31, and a guide member 33 attached to the tip. The guide member 33 has a spherical shape with a smaller diameter than the balloon 31, and is made of a resin material, for example, like the gas supply tube 32. When the balloon 31 is inserted from the sealing member insertion tube 13A into the instrument introduction tube 12A, the guide member 33 first comes into contact with the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, thereby guiding the movement direction of the balloon 31 while suppressing damage to the balloon 31 due to contact with the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A.

The configuration of the sealing member 14 is not limited to the one described above. For example, the tip of the gas supply pipe 32 may be connected to the inner wall surface on the opposite side of the balloon 31 or to the guide member 33, and multiple through holes may be formed on the tip side of the gas supply pipe 32 located inside the balloon 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the balloon 31 is inserted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. In this case, the balloon 31 is inserted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A with the first seal member 42 removed from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. After that, the through hole 53a of the mounting member 53 in the first seal member 42 is fitted into the other end of the gas supply tube 32. Then, the first seal member 42 is moved along the gas supply tube 32 and fixed to the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A.

When the balloon 31 is inserted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A, the opening/closing member 41 is switched from the closed state to the open state. At this time, the O-ring 51 of the first seal member 42 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the gas supply tube 32, and the O-ring 52 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the sealing member insertion tube 13A, so that the sealing state of the sealing member insertion tube 13A is maintained. Then, the balloon 31 is moved via the gas supply tube 32, and as shown in FIG. 6, the balloon 31 is positioned at one end of the device introduction tube 12A. Here, gas is supplied to the inside of the balloon 31 through the gas supply tube 32. Then, the balloon 31 in the contracted state expands, and the outer peripheral surface contacts and presses against the inner peripheral surface of the device introduction tube 12A, thereby sealing the device introduction tube 12A.

<How to install the equipment>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the device introduction method. FIGS. 8 to 13 are schematic diagrams for explaining the device introduction method.

The method for introducing the equipment in this embodiment includes the steps of: closing the opening 109 with a cover member 11 through which one end of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D is passed; inserting a sealing member 14 from a sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D connected to the middle portion of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and moving the sealing member 14 to the inside of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D; , 12D by contacting the inner surface of the tube 109 with the sealing member 14, sealing the other end of the tube 109 after introducing the equipment from the other end of the tube 109, releasing the sealing of the tube 109 with the sealing member 14, and introducing the equipment from the opening 109 while keeping the other end of the tube 109 sealed.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the equipment introduction device 10 is connected to a connecting pipe 103 that is connected to an existing pipe 102. At this time, the cover member 11 is fixed so as to close the opening 109 of the connecting pipe 103. Then, the shutter 105 of the opening/closing device 104 is opened, an equipment introduction tool 72 is placed on the equipment introduction pipe 12B, and, for example, a spray as equipment is introduced into the controlled area 101A by the equipment introduction tool 72. Meanwhile, a plugging member 71 is attached to the other end of the equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12C, and 12D.

In step S11, it is confirmed that the shutter 105 of the opening/closing device 104 is in the open state. In step S12, it is confirmed that the opening/closing member 41 of the sealing member insertion tube 13A is in the closed state. In step S13, it is confirmed that the plugging member 71 is sealing the equipment introduction tube 12A (12C, 12D). In step S14, it is confirmed that the equipment introduction jig 72 is sealing the equipment introduction tube 12B. In this state, the boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B is secured. Then, in this state, a new piece of equipment is introduced into the controlled area 101A from the equipment introduction tube 12A.

In step S15, the balloon 31 of the sealing member 14 is inserted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. In step S16, the first seal member 42 seals the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A and the gas supply tube 32 of the sealing member 14. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, in step S17, the opening/closing member 41 is opened to release the seal on the sealing member insertion tube 13A. At this time, the first seal member 42 maintains the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A sealed.

In step S18, the balloon 31 is advanced by the gas supply tube 32 and moved from the sealing member insertion tube 13A to the instrument introduction tube 12A. Although the sealing member insertion tube 13A is disposed at an inclination angle θ with respect to the instrument introduction tube 12A, when the balloon 31 moves from the sealing member insertion tube 13A to the instrument introduction tube 12A, the guide member 33 abuts against the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, changing the direction of movement by the inclination angle θ. Then, in step S19, the balloon 31 is positioned at a predetermined position in the instrument introduction tube 12A. The amount of movement of the balloon 31 is preset according to the lengths of the sealing member insertion tube 13A and the instrument introduction tube 12A.

As shown in Figures 7 and 10, in step S20, gas is supplied from the other end of the gas supply tube 32 into the inside of the balloon 31 to expand the balloon 31. The balloon 31 then expands to a spherical (cylindrical) shape, and the outer circumferential surface comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A. As a result of the balloon 31 contacting the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, one end of the instrument introduction tube 12A becomes sealed.

In step S21, the plugging member 71 is removed from the other end of the equipment introduction tube 12A to release the sealed state. At this time, one end of the equipment introduction tube 12A is maintained in a sealed state by the sealing member 14 (balloon 31). As shown in Figures 7 and 11, in step S22, a camera 81 is attached to the equipment introduction jig 72 as an instrument. The camera 81 is attached to the tip of the equipment introduction jig 72, and cables 82 such as power lines and control lines are placed inside the equipment introduction jig 72. The camera 81 is inserted into the other end of the equipment introduction tube 12A by the equipment introduction jig 72. In step S23, the outer peripheral surface of the equipment introduction jig 72 comes into contact with the second seal member 43 of the equipment introduction tube 12A, thereby sealing the other end of the equipment introduction tube 12A.

As shown in Figures 7 and 12, in step S24, the gas inside the balloon 31 is discharged from the other end of the gas supply tube 32, and the balloon 31 is deflated. The balloon 31 then contracts into a rod shape, and the outer circumferential surface moves away from the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A. As the balloon 31 moves away from the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, the sealed state of one end of the instrument introduction tube 12A is released. At this time, the sealed state of the other end of the instrument introduction tube 12A is maintained by the second seal member 43.

In step S25, the balloon 31 is retracted by the gas supply tube 32 and moved from the device introduction tube 12A to the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. In step S26, the opening and closing member 41 is closed to seal the sealing member insertion tube 13A. Then, in step S27, the balloon 31 is removed from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A. As shown in Figures 7 and 13, in step S28, while maintaining the sealing state of the other end of the device introduction tube 12A by the second seal member 43, the device introduction tool 72 is advanced and the camera 81 is introduced from the opening 109 into the controlled area 101A. In this state, the boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B is secured by the opening and closing member 41 and the second seal member 43.

Note that while the above describes the process of introducing the camera 81 as equipment from the general area 101B to the controlled area 101A through the equipment introduction pipe 12A, the process of returning the camera 81 from the controlled area 101A to the general area 101B is the reverse procedure.

For example, the method for returning the equipment in this embodiment includes a step of returning the equipment from the opening 109 to the other end of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D while maintaining the other end of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D sealed with the opening 109 closed by the cover member 11, and a step of inserting a sealing member 14 through a sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D connected to the middle part of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D to introduce the equipment. The method includes a step of moving the sealing member 14 into the inside of the tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, a step of sealing the inner surface of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D by contacting the sealing member 14 with the inner surface of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, a step of sealing the other end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D after removing the equipment from the other end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, and a step of releasing the sealing member 14 from the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D.

[Effects of this embodiment]
The equipment introduction device of the first aspect comprises a cover member 11 that can be attached to close the opening 109, a plurality of equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D having one end that passes through the cover member 11, sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D having one end that communicates with the middle portions of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and a sealing member 14 that can be inserted into the interior of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D from the other end of the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and that can contact and seal the inner surface of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D.

According to the first aspect of the equipment introduction device, the sealing member 14 can be inserted from the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D into the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D can be temporarily sealed with the sealing member 14. Therefore, even if the equipment introduction tool 72 is placed in one of the multiple equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and an equipment is introduced into the controlled area 101A, another equipment can be introduced into the controlled area 101A from the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D where the equipment introduction tool 72 is not placed, while maintaining the state of the already introduced equipment and while ensuring the boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B.

In the second embodiment of the equipment introduction device, the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are connected at an angle to the other end side of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D relative to the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. This allows the sealing member 14 to be smoothly moved from the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D to the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D when the sealing member 14 is inserted into the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D.

The instrument introduction device according to the third aspect is provided with a balloon 31 and a gas supply tube 32 capable of supplying gas to the inside of the balloon 31 as the sealing member 14. This allows the balloon 31 to be switched between a sealed state in which the balloon 31 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, or 12D by supplying gas to the balloon 31 through the gas supply tube 32, and an unsealed state in which the balloon 31 is separated from the inner circumferential surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, or 12D by collecting the gas in the balloon 31 through the gas supply tube 32, making it easy to move and seal the balloon 31.

In the fourth aspect of the equipment introduction device, one end of the gas supply pipe 32 penetrates the balloon 31 and extends to the inner wall surface of the balloon 31. This allows the balloon 31 in a contracted state to be supported by the gas supply pipe 32, and allows the balloon 31 to be moved appropriately by the gas supply pipe 32. Note that the extent of the extension length of the gas supply pipe 32 from the opening 31a in the balloon 31 is not limited to this depending on the properties of the balloon 31, such as softness and stiffness.

In the fifth aspect of the instrument introduction device, one end of the gas supply tube 32 is connected to the base end of the balloon 31, and a guide member 33 is attached to the tip end of the balloon 31, which contacts and guides the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. As a result, when the balloon 31 is moved from the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D to the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, the balloon 31 is guided by the guide member 33, and the balloon can be moved appropriately to the instrument introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D without being damaged.

The device introduction device according to the sixth aspect is provided with an opening/closing member 41 that can be switched between a closed state that closes the inside of the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and an open state that allows the balloon 31 to be inserted in the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D. As a result, by closing the opening/closing member 41, the sealing state of the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D can be maintained, and by opening the opening/closing member 41, the balloon 31 can be moved to the device introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D through the sealing member insertion tubes 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D.

The seventh aspect of the device for introducing equipment provides a first seal member 42 that can contact and seal with the outer surface of the gas supply tube 32 on the inner surface of the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D. As a result, when the balloon 31 is inserted into the other end of the sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, the first seal member 42 can seal between the sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and the gas supply tube 32, and in this state, the opening and closing member 41 can be opened to move the balloon 31 to the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D.

The eighth aspect of the equipment introduction device provides the second seal member 43, which is capable of contacting and sealing the outer surface of the plug member 71 that closes the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D on the inner surface of the other end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. This allows the second seal member 43 to seal the other end of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D regardless of the state of the sealing member 14.

The equipment introduction device according to the ninth aspect is capable of sealing by contacting the outer surface of the equipment introduction jig 72, the tip of which is supported by the second seal member 43. This allows the second seal member 43 to seal between the equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and the equipment introduction jig 72, and the equipment can be appropriately introduced into the controlled area 101A using the equipment introduction jig 72.

The method for introducing equipment according to the tenth aspect includes the steps of: closing the opening 109 with a cover member 11 through which one end of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D is inserted; inserting a sealing member 14 from a sealing member insertion tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D connected to the middle portion of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and moving the sealing member 14 to the inside of the equipment introduction tube 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D; The method includes a step of sealing the other ends of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D by contacting the inner surfaces of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D with the sealing member 14, a step of sealing the other ends of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D after inserting the equipment from the other ends of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, a step of releasing the sealing of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D with the sealing member 14, and a step of introducing the equipment from the opening 109 while maintaining the sealing of the other ends of the equipment introduction tubes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D.

According to the equipment introduction method of the tenth aspect, the equipment can be introduced into the controlled area 101A from the equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D while maintaining the boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B.

In the eleventh aspect of the equipment introduction method, a plurality of equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D are connected to the cover member 11, and when an equipment is introduced from one of the plurality of equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, the remaining equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D are sealed. As a result, even if an equipment introduction tool 72 is placed in one of the plurality of equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and an equipment is introduced into the controlled area 101A, another equipment can be introduced into the controlled area 101A from the equipment introduction pipes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D where the equipment introduction tool 72 is not placed, while maintaining the state of the already introduced equipment and while ensuring the boundary between the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B.

In the above embodiment, the equipment introduction device 10 is attached to the connecting pipe 103 so as to close the opening 109 of the connecting pipe 103 connected to the existing pipe 102, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the equipment introduction device 10 may be directly attached to the existing pipe 102.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an opening 109 is provided in the connecting pipe 103 (existing pipe 102) and the equipment introduction device 10 is attached to close the opening 109, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, even if the controlled area 101A and the general area 101B are separated by a partition wall and an opening is provided in the partition wall, the equipment introduction device 10 can be attached to close the opening.

In addition, in the above embodiment, various types of equipment are moved between controlled areas and general areas in a nuclear facility, but the invention can also be applied to other power plants, chemical plants, and the like, in addition to nuclear facilities.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Equipment introduction device 11 Lid member 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D Equipment introduction tube 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D Sealing member insertion tube 14 Sealing member 21 Flat plate portion 22 Cylindrical portion 23, 24 Sealing member 31 Balloon 32 Gas supply tube 33 Guide member 41 Opening/closing member 42 First sealing member 43 Second sealing member 51, 52 O-ring 53 Mounting member 54 Mounting screw 71 Plugging member 72 Equipment introduction jig 81 Camera (equipment)
82 Cable 101A Controlled area 101B General area 102 Existing piping 103 Connecting piping 104 Opening and closing device 105 Shutter 106 Fixing device 107 Hydraulic jack 108 Hook 109 Opening 110 Flange portion

Claims (11)

A cover member that can be attached to close the opening;
A plurality of instrument introduction tubes each having one end passing through the cover member;
a sealing member insertion tube having one end communicating with a middle portion of the equipment introduction tube;
a sealing member that can be inserted into the instrument introduction tube from the other end of the sealing member insertion tube and can contact and seal the inner surface of the instrument introduction tube;
An equipment introduction device comprising: The sealing member insertion tube is connected to the instrument introduction tube at an incline toward the other end of the instrument introduction tube.
The device introduction device according to claim 1 . The sealing member has a balloon and a gas supply tube capable of supplying gas to the inside of the balloon.
The device introduction device according to claim 1 or 2. One end of the gas supply pipe penetrates the balloon and extends to the inner wall surface of the balloon.
The device introduction device according to claim 3. The balloon has a base end connected to one end of the gas supply pipe, and a guide member that contacts and guides the inner surface of the instrument introduction pipe is attached to a tip end of the balloon.
The device introduction device according to claim 3 or 4. The sealing member insertion tube is provided with an opening/closing member that can be switched between a closed state in which the inside of the sealing member insertion tube is closed and an open state in which the balloon can be inserted.
The device introduction device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. the sealing member insertion tube is provided on an inner surface of the other end thereof with a first seal member capable of contacting and sealing with an outer surface of the gas supply tube;
The device introduction device according to any one of claims 3 to 6. The instrument introduction tube has an inner surface at the other end provided with a second seal member capable of contacting and sealing with an outer surface of a plug member that closes the instrument introduction tube.
The device introduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The second seal member is capable of contacting and sealing an outer surface of an instrument introduction jig having an instrument supported at its tip.
The device introduction device according to claim 8. closing the opening with a cover member through which one end of the instrument introduction tube is inserted;
a step of inserting a sealing member through a sealing member insertion tube connected to a middle portion of the instrument introduction tube and moving the sealing member into the instrument introduction tube;
a step of contacting the sealing member with an inner surface of the instrument introduction tube to seal the instrument introduction tube;
a step of inserting an instrument from the other end of the instrument introduction tube and then sealing the other end of the instrument introduction tube;
releasing the sealing member from the instrument introduction tube;
introducing the instrument through the opening while maintaining the other end of the instrument introduction tube sealed;
An apparatus introduction method having the above structure. The instrument introduction tubes are connected to the cover member in a plurality of parts, and when the instrument is introduced through one of the instrument introduction tubes, the remaining instrument introduction tubes are sealed.
The device introduction method according to claim 10.

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