Integrated sealing design (ISD) for a docking assembly used in optics assembly211 system for National Ignition Facility (NIF)

摘要

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a high power laser facility for fusion211u001eresearch. The project's design philosophy modularizes the laser's optical 211u001esubsystem components into Line Replaceable Units (LRU) for ease in maintenance 211u001eover its expected 30 year life. The LRUs are transported between the Optics 211u001eAssembly Building (OAB) and the laser structure by a robotic material handling 211u001esystem. A major component of part of this handling system is a portable clean 211u001eroom, or canister, which protects the optics of the LRU during transport between 211u001ethe OAB and the laser. The canister itself contains robotic systems that move the 211u001eLRU into position inside the clean laser cavity, once the canister is docked to 211u001ethe laser's enclosure. The bottom loading canister carries a variety of different 211u001eLRUs for placement in different portions of the laser. With this canister docking 211u001eis accomplished from underneath the laser enclosure. A cover plate at the top of 211u001ethe canister shall move sideways to allow the LRU to move in the enclosure. The 211u001ecover plate is then moved back to its original position and sealing the enclosure 211u001efor maintaining the positive pressure. Each rectangular opening is 37 inch x 25 211u001einch for the periscope enclosure. The opening is sealed by automatic operation. A 211u001efloating type flanged jointed assembly using 4 mm wide flat rubber gasket. Design 211u001eof enclosure for sealing pressure of 12 inch of water column is not included in 211u001edesign standards such as the ASME PVPC code and the European code EN1591. A great 211u001edeal of research and development world wide on gasket testing for bolted joints 211u001eare provided for sealing pressure in exceeding 400 inch of water column.