• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.12
• /
• pp.4477-4490
• /
• 2023

Fuel locking mechanisms (FLMs) are essential in upward-flow research reactors to prevent accidental fuel separation from the core during reactor operation. This study presents a novel design concept for a remotely controlled plate-type nuclear fuel locking mechanism. By employing electromagnetic field analysis, we optimized the design of the electromagnet for fuel unlocking, allowing the FLM to adapt to various research reactor core designs, minimizing installation space, and reducing maintenance efforts. Computational flow analysis quantified the drag acting on the fuel assembly caused by coolant upflow. Subsequently, we performed finite element analysis and evaluated the structural integrity of the FLM based on the ASME boiler and pressure vessel (B&PV) code, considering design loads such as dead weight and flow drag. Our findings confirm that the new FLM design provides sufficient margins to withstand the specified loads. We fabricated a prototype comprising the driving part, a simplified moving part, and a dummy fuel assembly. Through basic operational tests on the assembled components, we verified that the manufactured products meet the performance requirements. This remote-controlled micro locking mechanism holds promise in enhancing the safety and efficiency of plate-type nuclear fuel operation in upflow research reactors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.462-470
• /
• 2016

The locking load of a conventional manhole depends on the weight of its cover. Locking-type manhole structures with a special locking mechanism were recently developed to prevent accidents such as stolen cover, away cover from a frame. The weight of the manhole structure can be reduced under structural safety because the locking force of a locking-type manhole is greater than the weight of the cover. A light-weight manhole cover is developed in this study by using a finite element stress analysis and the design of experiments. Static stress analysis and fracture experiments are also conducted to analyze the states of the initial product. The optimum light-weight manhole cover considering manufacturing molds is developed and tested. Consequently, the weight was found to reduce by 16%. In addition, the fracture load increased by 38%.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.236-239
• /
• 2017

After dual plating with a locking compression plate for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, the incidence of ulnar nerve injury after surgery has been reported to be up to 38%. This can be reduced by an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve but some surgeons believe that extensive handling of the nerve with transposition can increase the risk of an ulnar nerve dysfunction. This paper reports ulnar nerve injuries caused by the incomplete insertion of a screw head in dual plating without an anterior ulnar nerve transposition for AO/OTA type C2 distal humerus fractures. When an anatomical locking plate is applied to a distal humeral fracture, locking screws around the ulnar nerve should be inserted fully without protrusion of the screw because an incompletely inserted screw can cause irritation or injury to the ulnar nerve because the screw head in the locking system usually has a slightly sharp edge because screw head has threads. If the change in insertion angle and resulting protruded head of the screw are unavoidable for firm fixation of fracture, the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommended over a soft tissue shield.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.175-180
• /
• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate the radiological and clinical results after open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneal F plate and locking calcaneal plate using lateral extensile approach in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture Materials and Methods: This study included 34 cases of 33 patients followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. F plate was applied in 18 cases (Group 1), locking plate was used in 16 cases (Group 2) and compared radiological and clinical results between two groups. Results: Radiollogically, the mean Bohler angle was improved from $5.5^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $20.1^{\circ}$ postoperatively and $18.8^{\circ}$ at the last follow up in group 1 and $8.6^{\circ}$ preoperatively, $21.4^{\circ}$ postoperatively and $20.3^{\circ}$ at last follow up in group 2. Bone union was observed in all cases and 4 cases of screw loosening were noted in Group 1 with extended fracture to anterior process. At the last follow up, both groups showed clinical results in American orthopedic foot and ankle society ankle hindfoot score, 76(77 in Sanders type II and 75 in type III) in group 1 and 72(73 in type II and 70 in type III) in group 2. Conclusion: F plate and locking plate showed firm fixation and satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture. We suggest applying locking plate in cases with extended fracture to anterior process, considering screw loosenings in those who were treated with F plate fixation.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2007

Some gate valves are susceptible to pressure locking and thermal binding which prevent the safety function. The safety related gate valves susceptible to pressure locking and thermal binding shall be identified and taken preventive actions to ensure the safety function. The identification of the gate valves susceptible to pressure locking and thermal binding needs the evaluation of system design, valve and piping arrangement, test requirements, and operating conditions. Application of preventive methods should consider the system safety function, applicability, effectiveness, interface with system design, and cost. The selection procedure of valves susceptible to pressure locking and thermal binding can be effectively used in industry including nuclear power plants. In order to prevent the pressure locking, the hole can be drilled through the one disc of upstream side or down stream and the external equalizing line can be installed from bonnet to downstream or upstream. The double disc parallel seat valve type can be used instead of flexible wedge gate valve to prevent the thermal binding. The identification of gate valves susceptible to pressure locking and thermal binding, and preventive actions will meet the regulatory requirements and enhance the availability and safety of plants.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 1999.11c
• /
• pp.742-744
• /
• 1999

In this paper, a new precharge type PFD for fast locking time of PLL is suggested. It is realized by inserting NMOS transistor and inverter into the precharge part of PFD for isolating the reset of the Up signal from the feedback signal. The new precharge type PFD generates the Up signal while the feedback signal is fixed at a high level. Therefore the new PFD output is increased than the conventional precharge type PFD output. As a result of the increased PFD output, fast locking of PLLs is achieved. Additionally, with control the falling time of the inverter, the dead-zone is reduced and the jitter characteristics are improved. The whole characteristics of PFD and PLL are simulated by using HSPICE. Simulation results show that the dead-zone is 20ps and the locking time of PLL using the new PFD is 38ns at the 350MHz frequency of referecne signal. This value is quite small compared with conventional PFD.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.230-235
• /
• 2017

Background: Neer type II distal clavicle fractures have the drawback of coracoclavicular instability and insufficient distal bony fragment, thereby making it difficult to achieve adequate fixation. Although various surgical treatments have been described for Neer type II fracture, the optimal treatment remains controversial. This study reports the clinical results and usefulness of anatomical locking plate with additional K-wire fixation. Methods: A totally of 21 patients with type II distal clavicle fracture were included in the study. The surgical procedure reduced the fracture temporarily; it included insertion of one or two K-wire from the lateral margin of the distal fragment to the proximal fragment through the fracture site, followed by application and fixation of the locking plate. The bony union and migration of K-wire was evaluated in the follow-up radiography. The coracoclavicular distance and acromioclavicular joint arthrosis were assessed at the final follow-up. The Constant Score (CS) and Korean Shoulder Score (KSS) were evaluated for clinical scoring. Results: Bone union was achieved in all cases. At the final follow-up, coracoclavicular distance of the injured shoulder was increased, as compared to the intact shoulder (p=0.002), with no accompanying clinical symptoms. No K-wire migration was observed. At the final follow-up, K-wire irritation was observed in two cases and acromioclavicular arthrosis in one case, with no other adverse effects. Pain visual analogue scale, CS, and KSS were improved in all cases. Conclusions: The method of anatomical locking plate with additional K-wire fixation could be useful in achieving beneficial clinical results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes after treatment of proximal humeral fractures with locking plates, and to determine which factors influence the clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods: Fifty six patients who were treated with locking plates for proximal humeral fractures and had been followed for more than 1 year were enrolled in this study. We performed functional evaluation using the Constant score and analyzed radiographic results. The following factors that may potentially influence the clinical outcomes were assessed: age, gender, type of fracture, presence of medial metaphyseal comminution, bone mineral density, anatomical reduction, restoration of medial mechanical support, and postoperative complications. Results: The mean Constant score was 70.1 points at the final follow-up. Female gender, 4-part fractures, AO type-C fractures, and fractures with medial metaphyseal comminution were associated with a poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, restoration of medial mechanical support and accurate anatomical reduction had a positive influence on clinical outcomes. Postoperative complications resulted in 3 patients (intra-articular screw perforation: 1 patient, varus deformity with screw loosening: 1 patient, nonunion: 1 patient). Conclusions: When treating proximal humeral fractures with locking plate fixation, following factors: a female gender, Neer type 4-part fracture, AO type C fracture, and medial metaphyseal comminution are important risk factors that surgeons should take into consideration. Factors that contribute to better clinical outcomes of operative treatment for humeral fractures are accurate anatomical reduction and restoration of medial mechanical support.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.449-459
• /
• 2000

The original Mindlin-type degenerated shell element perform reasonably well for moderately thick shell structures. However, when full integration for analysis of thin shell is used to evaluate the stiffness matrix, the stiffness of shell element is often over-estimated due to shear or membrane locking phenomena. To correct this problem, the formulation of the new degenerated shell element is derived by the combination of two different techniques. The first type of elements(TypeⅠ) has used assumed shear strains in the natural coordinate system to overcome the shear locking problem, the reduced integration technique in in-plane strains(membrane strains) to avoid membrane locking behaviour. Another element(TypeⅡ) has applied the assumed strains to both of membrane strain and transverse shear strains. The improved degenerated shell element has been tested by several numerical problems of shell structures. Numerical results indicate that this shell element shows fast convergence and reliable solutions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.5 no.6
• /
• pp.853-865
• /
• 1997

The design of robust plate and shell elements has been a very challenging area for several decades. The main difficulty has been the shear locking phenomenon in plate elements and the shear and membrane locking phenomena together in the shell elements. Among the various artifices or devices which are used to develop elements free of these problems is the field-consistency approach. In this paper this approach is reviewed, It turns out that not only Mindlin type elements but also elements based on higher-order theories could be developed using the technique.