Remote Maintenance Research Articles

Access to Data in Connected Cars and the Recent Reform of the Motor Vehicle Type Approval Regulation

The need for regulatory solutions for access to in-vehicle data and resources of connected cars is one of the big controversial and unsolved policy issues. Last year the EU revised the Motor Vehicle Type Approval Regulation which already entailed a FRAND-like solution for the access to repair and maintenance information (RMI) to protect competition on the automotive aftermarkets. However, the transition to connected cars changes the technological conditions for this regulatory solution significantly. This paper analyzes the reform of the type approval regulation and shows that the regulatory solutions for access to RMI are so far only very insufficiently capable of dealing with the challenges coming along with increased connectivity, e.g. with regard to the new remote diagnostic, repair and maintenance services. Therefore, an important result of the paper is that the transition to connected cars will require a further reform of the rules for the regulated access to RMI (esp. with regard to data access, interoperability, and safety/security issues). However, our analysis also suggests that the basic approach of the current regulated access regime for RMI in the type approval regulation can also be a model for developing general solutions for the currently unsolved problems of access to in-vehicle data and resources in the ecosystem of connected driving.

Reliability based assessment of remote maintenance system for CFETR divertor

China Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR) will be built to test and verify the feasibility of engineering and technology in practice for the future fusion reactor. Long pulse and steady-state operation will be demonstrated with duty cycle time not less than 30˜50%. Because of the beta and gamma activation of the component bulk and surface dust, special remote handling techniques will be required during machine maintenance periods. The divertor cassettes remote replacement is one of the key maintenance operations for the CFETR to meet the duty cycle time requirements. RH maintenance strategies will have a significant impact on the layout of the machine and design of components. Overview of the different CFETR divertor components remote maintenance strategies as well as to describe the maintenance process of the in vessel components will be discussed. Preliminary reliability assessment of the divertor maintenance system was done in order to carry out RH maintenance tasks safely and efficiently.

Parametric modelling of EU-DEMO remote maintenance strategies and concepts

One of the major challenges in the commercialisation of fusion is maintaining the powerplant reactor in a sufficiently short period of time to achieve commercial levels of plant availability. To inform the development of an appropriate remote maintenance strategy for EU-DEMO, a simplified, parametric model, called the Maintenance Duration Estimator (MDE) has been created to model potential remote maintenance strategies for the in-vessel Components. This tool will inform the development of practical and efficient remote maintenance technologies and methodologies for EU-DEMO. Using the MDE model, it has been estimated that EU-DEMO will be able to achieve the required minimum 30% lifetime plant availability over a 20 year operational lifetime. Here we will present the structure and functionality of the MDE, as well as some case studies of analysis performed.

Initial integration concept of the DEMO lower horizontal port

The realisation of a Demonstration Fusion Power Reactor (DEMO) is the remaining and crucial step towards the exploitation of fusion power. This is the shared view of Europe and the nations engaged in the construction of ITER. DEMO will follow ITER and must be capable to produce several hundred MW of net electricity as well as operating with a closed fuel-cycle. The DEMO machine has three main entrance levels to the plasma chamber. According to the current DEMO reference configuration the vacuum vessel has 16 vertical upper, horizontal equatorial, and horizontal lower ports, respectively.This article introduces the initial integration concept of the lower port. The concept considers the external space constraints e.g. due to the supports of the vacuum vessel, the neutron shielding requirements of the superconducting coils, and the main lower port functions. These include hosting a number of tokamak systems, in particular the torus vacuum pump and feeding pipes of in-vessel components, and to allow for divertor remote maintenance. The size and position of the lower port are constrained by the adjacent toroidal and poloidal field coils. At the same time the lower port drives the layout of the cryostat and the tokamak building.

EU-DEMO Breeding Blanket temperature evaluation before remote maintenance operation

In DEMO (the European proposal of demonstration fusion reactor) the Breeding Blanket (BB) segments shall be periodically replaced, at end of life or after failure. Any replacement of a BB segment shall be performed by Remote Handling Equipment (RHE) through the vertical upper port: any active action is executed by RHE that clamps a BB segment in the upper portion using a BB transporter. A driving requirement of DEMO commercial technology for RHE is the maximum operating temperature at the BB-RHE interface during BB replacement: the objective of this study is properly to assess this limit, being now the allowable value at 100 °C. This study deals with the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) concept.The initial configuration, with all sector segments (three in the outboard region and two in the inboard one) in their nominal position, has been considered; then the Finite Element model predicts if a natural convection cooling air flux inside vacuum vessel is adequate or if it is necessary a forced convection cooling system. The decay heat produced by the main blanket components (the BB modules caps and lateral walls, the backwalls, the supporting structures, the backplate manifolds, and so on) have been evaluated beforehand: the values applied as body loads in the thermal analyses have been selected within the set related to one month after shut-down. With the assumed geometrical and physical boundary conditions set for the natural and forced convection, the analyses indicate that a forced convection should be necessary to ensure compliance with the present RHE requirements. The obtained results, the analysis assumption and future analysis plan have been briefly discussed.

The DTT device: Advances in conceptual design of vacuum vessel and cryostat structures

In this work we present the latest progresses (September 2018) in the conceptual design of the main containment structures of DTT fusion reactor. The previous DTT baseline design is revised in terms of structural materials and overall reactor shape. The major change involves the vacuum vessel, which now foresees a welded double-wall stainless steel structure. The basic design includes eighteen sectors, with novel ports configuration for remote maintenance systems, diagnostics and heating equipment. New supports are designed for the first wall, which is conveniently segmented in view of assembly and remote replacement. The cryostat of the machine is conceived as a single-wall cylindrical vessel reinforced by ribs. The cryostat base is also in charge of supporting the vacuum vessel and the magnets system. A preliminary FEA analysis confirms that the main mechanical structure might withstand the design loads, in particular the ones resulting from possible plasma disruptions.

Running Smart Monitoring Maintenance Application Using Cooja Simulator

In recent years, the range of sensing technologies has expanded rapidly, whereas sensors present many advantages including flexibility, low cost, easy deployment and so on. Therefore, WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) can play a vital role in the Industry 4.0 framework. This has led to a rapid expansion in smart factories and intelligent manufacturing systems. Integration intelligent network sensors in case of remote maintenance applications that link information technology solutions with condition-based maintenance have not been considered before, for that the proposed application will enable industrial manufacturing to implement condition-based maintenance for the health status of industrial equipment. The paper presents system architecture and hardware organization, explain the choice of sensors devices; as well as the identification of sensor configurations and network topologies; also the choice of the more appropriate platform based on the power consumption in a comparative way using Contiki software.

Key conception of the remote maintenance for the target assembly of Advanced Fusion Neutron Source (A-FNS)

A key conception of the remote maintenance (RM) method is presented of the target assembly (TA) of Advanced Fusion Neutron Source (A-FNS), that is an accelerator-driven fusion neutron source utilizing the Li(d,xn) nuclear reactions. The RM method, newly proposed here, is aimed at (i) enhancing the modularity of the TA RM and (ii) keeping the compatibility with the materials irradiation tests, compared to the preceding TA RM design of International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility (IFMIF). A 3-dimensional kinematics simulation indicates that the large clearance of 52 mm between the TA and high flux test module (HFTM) brings the independent removal from and the installation in the test cell, regardless of the presence of the test modules in the test cell. A neutronics performance of the HFTM with the enlarged clearance is also studied. The gradient of the calculated neutron irradiation damage is found to be decreased and satisfies a users’ requirement of the irradiation environment when the clearance is enlarged from 2 to 52 mm. (The former value was the IFMIF engineering design value.) These simulation results suggest that the proposed TA RM method will enhance not only the modularity of the TA, but also will improve the materials irradiation test environment.

Reconstructing JET using LIDAR-Vision fusion

Commercialising Nuclear Fusion requires considerable advances in sensors for accurately localising Remote Maintenance systems. One promising technology is LIDAR, frequently used for robotic positioning and navigation. We present work describing the 3D mapping of the inside of the Joint European Torus using a combined LIDAR-Vision fusion based measurement and navigation system from the Oxford Robotics Institute. We generate a point cloud model from our measurements and compare it with CAD models of the JET vessel using numerical methods. We show that millimeter and sub-millimeter accuracy of results are possible under the right circumstances, with nearly 10% of points having a measurement error of between 2.5 and 0.03 mm compared to the CAD model. We briefly review the potential of radiation hardening LIDAR scanners for wider use in Fusion contexts. Finally we draw conclusions about the applicability of LIDAR systems to mapping and localisation problems within fusion environments, and detail further work required.

Modeling and vibration control of flexible mechanical systems for DEMO remote maintenance: Results from the FlexARM project

The goal of this paper is to disseminate the main results achieved within the FlexARM project. The project deals with advanced modeling techniques and predictive control strategies for flexible mechanical systems intended to be used in remote tasks inside advanced nuclear fusion reactors. This article aims at underlying the main aspect of the FlexARM methodology and paves the way towards future research in the field.

Progress on reliability of remote maintenance concept for JA DEMO

JA DEMO selected the vertical maintenance scheme as the primary maintenance option. In order to improve reliability of Remote Handling (RH) and plant availability, update of in-vessel transferring mechanism of the segment, pipe unit structure on maintenance port were carried out. The RH equipment is composed of end-effectors (grippers) for the banana segment, a power manipulator, a telescopic guide and a carrier. The pipe structure in vertical maintenance port was updated considering the thermal expansion, easy handling (short maintenance time) and alignment of welding groove. Based on estimation of maintenance time, four works in parallel will be required for plant availability reachable for commercialization (>60%).

Issues of the vertical blanket segment architecture in DEMO: Current progress and resolution strategies

Due to the limited irradiation lifetime of the structural material used for in-vessel components in DEMO, it will be necessary to replace all breeding blankets within the given planned maintenance window in order to meet DEMO availability targets (Romanelli, 2012; Ellis, 2017) [1,2]. It is assumed that failure of in-vessel components cannot be excluded, whilst in-situ repair is unrealistic. Hence the replacement of individual breeder blankets must be technically feasible. As such, remote maintenance replacement of the breeding blankets is a mission critical operation. The baseline concept utilises vertical segment architecture to aid in the removal of the blankets (Iglesias, 2013) [3]. This choice impacts on the tokamak and plant architecture and also affects operational maintenance strategy. Within the EUROfusion PPPT program efforts have been made to perform cross work package investigations on eight Key Integration Issues needed to show the feasibility of the DEMO pre-concept design (Bachmann, 2017) [4]. Key Design Issue 4 is an investigation into the feasibility of the Vertical Segment Architecture blanket feasibility The present work documents the approach, current progress and developments within this investigation. This includes the strategy, identified risks and proposed solutions.

Effects of humidity on radiation resistance of electroless Ni plating

Electroless Ni plating is commonly used as a coating of machined parts because of its superior corrosion resistance. The ITER Blanket Remote Handling System will use electroless Ni plating but will be operated in a γ-ray radiation environment, for which corrosion resistance—essential for the remote maintenance of ITER in-vessel components—has never before been demonstrated. This paper presents irradiation tests of electroless Ni plating carried out under dry or humid conditions. Corrosion resistance of electroless Ni plating was markedly affected in humid environments, however, in dry environments radiation resistance was verified. From surface analyses we can infer that radiolysis-enhanced corrosion was most likely caused by hydroxyl radicals produced from the interaction of water vapor and γ-rays in humid environments.

Real-time volumetric rendering of radiation fields using 3D textures

The remote maintenance of nuclear fusion facilities must be carefully planned and monitored due to the potential damage to equipment caused by the ionising radiation that results from neutron activation of facility components. We present a method for visualising three-dimensional radiation dose fields in real-time. An interactive volumetric representation is achieved using view-dependent parallel ray casting of a scalar field in three dimensions. This enhances the planning of remote handling operations by allowing motion paths to be better optimised for the minimisation of dose to vital components, prolonging the lifetime of remote handling equipment.

Enhancing aquaponics management with IoT-based Predictive Analytics for efficient information utilization

Modern aquaponic systems can be highly successful, but they require intensive monitoring, control and management. Consequently, the Automation Pyramid (AP) with its layers of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is applied for process control. With cloud-based IoT-based Predictive Analytics at the fore marsh, it is worth finding out if IoT will make these technologies obsolete, or they can work together to gain more beneficial results. In this paper, we will discuss the enhancement of SCADA, ERP and MES with IoT in aquaponics and likewise how IoT-based Predictive Analytics can help to get more out of it. An example use case of an aquaponics project with five demonstration sites in different geographical locations will be presented to show the benefits of IoT on example Predictive Analytics services. Innovative is the collection of data from the five demonstration sites over IoT to make the models of fish, tomatoes, technical components such as filters used for remote monitoring, predictive remote maintenance and economical optimization of the individual plants robust. Robustness of the various models, fish and crop growth models, models for econometric optimization were evaluated using Monte Carlo Simulations revealing as expected the superiority of the IoT-based models. Our analysis suggest that the models are generally tolerant to the temperature coefficient variations of up to 15% and the econometric models tolerated a variation of for example feed ration size for fish of up to 4% and by the energy optimization models a tolerance of up to 14% by variations of solar radiation could be noticed. Furthermore, from the analysis made, it can be concluded that MES has several capabilities which cannot be replaced by IoT such as responsiveness to trigger changes on anomalies. It act as proxy when there is no case for sensors and reliably ensure correct execution in the aquaponics plants. IoT systems can produce unprecedented improvements in many areas but need MES to leverage their true potential and benefits.

Path planning and space occupation for remote maintenance operations of transportation in DEMO

The ex-vessel Remote Maintenance Systems are responsible for the replacement and transportation of the plasma facing components. The space required to perform the ex-vessel operations of transportation, as well as the respective time duration, has a great impact in the economics of a fusion power plant. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of the volume required to perform the operations of transportation along optimized trajectories in all levels of DEMO's reactor building. The overhead systems and ground systems are considered as the possible transportation technologies. In particular to the upper level, a cask concept is compared with a hot cell concept. Computed results of occupied volumes and time duration are presented taking into account the nominal, i.e., the expected and planned operations, and the possible rescue operations.

Innovations in Technology and Science R&D for ITER

ITER is a critical step in the development of fusion energy: its role is to confirm the feasibility of exploiting magnetic confinement fusion for the production of energy for peaceful purposes by providing an integrated demonstration of the physics and technology required for a fusion power plant. Rapid progress is being made in project construction, and the facility is now taking shape at St-Paul-lez-Durance in southern France. In the course of designing and manufacturing of the systems making up the ITER tokamak and the ITER facility, extensive ground-breaking R&D has been implemented by the ITER partners across a wide range of technology and science areas which underpin the achievement of the project’s engineering and fusion plasma performance requirements. Significant developments have been made in the production of high performance Nb3Sn superconducting strand and in magnet technologies supporting the construction of the largest superconducting magnets produced to date. High heat flux plasma facing components have been fabricated which are capable of sustaining quasi-stationary heat loads of up to 10 MW m−2 and transient loads of up to 20 MW m−2. Fusion nuclear technologies such as remote maintenance and tritium breeding have received specific emphasis within the ITER R&D program, since extensive deployment of these technologies is foreseen. Diagnostic systems face particular challenges in the ITER environment, and wide-ranging R&D activities have been implemented to develop novel solutions to ensure an adequate measurement capability in ITER DT operation. Routine and reliable operation in ITER will require a highly effective capability for the detection, avoidance and mitigation of disruptions, and significant science and technology R&D is underway to establish this capability. The overall integration of the control requirements for the ITER plasma and facility, in particular during burning plasma operation, has presented new challenges for fusion control systems, including the need for robust safety and hardware (investment) protection. These challenges are being addressed via the implementation of the most extensive and ambitious control system to date. The paper introduces the ITER project and its major goals in relation to the development of fusion energy and provides an overview of key innovations which have been made in these areas of fusion technology and science in support of ITER construction.

Control system design for tokamak remote maintenance operations using assisted virtual reality and haptic feedback

To meet the future electricity demands, tokamak based nuclear fusion machine is an attractive option for the researchers. The availability and reliability of these machines over a reasonable time span will be largely dependent on the planning of the remote maintenance scheme. The efficiency of the remote maintenance operations can be effectively increased by designing specialized remote handling control systems with high precision and accuracy. Huge efforts are needed to equip the RH operators with the advanced technologies that provide the real knowledge and interactions with the operating environment without being physically present. This can be achieved by using virtual reality techniques for tele-presence that may be extremely beneficial for the offline training as well as in assisting during the online RH operations. This paper outlines a concept with prototype experiments for an interactive control system using virtual reality integration and haptic feedback. Virtual 3D models of the complete work-cell have been developed and are updated synchronously for the monitoring and controlling of the robotic equipment. Force reflection servo type control strategy has been employed for the master-slave control. The proposed control system architecture and results from various test cases have been summarized here.

Properties of low friction anti-seize coatings for fusion applications

Remote maintenance in fusion machines such as JET (Joint European Torus) and ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) relies on sliding interfaces such as bolted joints. Experience in JET, where removal torques much higher than installation values with uncoated bolts is commonplace, led to the installation of experimental bolted assemblies in 2015: the first of its kind in JET. These assemblies included some 660B stainless steel ITER Blanket-specific bolts with a solid sputtered coating of MoS2 as part of an ITER-funded project known as CHEF (Coating and Humidity Experiments on Fasteners). CHEF also includes two ex-vessel activities. The first is a characterisation of the coating fundamental properties including outgassing, friction, wear and sensitivity to humidity: on flat sample discs. The second is the measurement of the coating performance on bolted assemblies subjected to a sequence of tests: initial tightening cycles, thermal vacuum exposure, environmental exposure (high humidity and high temperature), repeated thermal vacuum exposure, and final tightening cycles. This sequence approximates to a possible operation cycle of ITER bolted joints which receive an accidental humidity exposure during operation.

Actuality of govermental support and support of development of doctors of Ukraine in modern conditions

In the conditions of the rapid development of modern medicine, the search and introduction of the latest information technologies, new approaches to the study of the diagnostic and treatment process of diseases are of great importance. There are new requirements for the internship training program, which is used in the process of developing modern technologies that are widely available and used in the training of doctors abroad, especially in high-level countries of economic development.At present, we can’t talk about providing a proper level of qualification of doctors without the use of modern remote information technologies, creation and maintenance of access to training centers with a wide range of simulators, virtual means that will allow deeper details to go deeper into any clinical situation and solve it successfully. Simulation courses, experience gained in direct contact with patients in specialized, leading state and foreign clinics, and distance learning should be mandatory stages of training of medical personnel.Mentioned in the article ways of improving the efficiency of modern postgraduate education with the use of modern innovative technologies will significantly improve the effectiveness of assimilation as a theoretical and practical part of preparation for each medical specialty. Taking into account the requirements for the qualification of European doctors in the educational process of post-graduate training of Ukrainian medical workers will help doctors to study and work in a single professional European space.