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  • Fusion world | Innovative approaches and how ITER can help

    More than 30 private fusion companies from around the world attended ITER's inaugural Private Sector Fusion Workshop in May 2024. Four of them participated in a [...]

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  • Robert Aymar (1936-2024) | A vision turned into reality

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  • The ITER community | United in a common goal

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  • Vacuum vessel | Europe completes first of five sectors

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  • SOFT 2024 | Dublin conference highlights progress and outstanding challenges

    Nestled in the residential suburb of Glasnevin, Dublin City University is a fairly young academic institution. When it opened its doors in 1980 it had just 200 [...]

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Of Interest

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ITER NEWSLINE -

Image of the week

Like grasping a bowl of cereal

Contrary to the vast majority of ITER machine components, the modules that form the central solenoid cannot be lifted by way of hooks and attachments. The 110-tonne cylindrical components provide no space for a robust structure for the bolting or welding of lift devices; instead, a central solenoid module needs to be handled like one would grasp a giant bowl of cereal, by exerting pressure from the outside.

In addition to the nine powerful wedge pads exerting radial pressure on the module, redundent lifting slings and support blocks are installed ensure to ensure operation security. (Click to view larger version...)
In addition to the nine powerful wedge pads exerting radial pressure on the module, redundent lifting slings and support blocks are installed ensure to ensure operation security.
A bowl of cereal can be grasped and moved with two hands. A central solenoid module requires nine powerful wedge pads located at the bottom of a lifting fixture, each one exerting a radial force of 220 kN (equivalent to 22 tf (tonne-force)) on nine friction pads distributed around the cylinder.

Designed and manufactured by US ITER, who procures the central solenoid, the system has once again proved its efficiency. On Thursday 11 April, the third module was successfully lifted and positioned with a slight radial offset on top of the existing two-module stack. The 325-millimetre offset provides room for equipment and connection work to be completed before the module gets positioned in its final location, aligned on the central solenoid axis.

Almost there. In a few moments, the third module will be positioned on top of the existing two-module stack, with a slight radial offset to provide room for equipment and connection work. (Click to view larger version...)
Almost there. In a few moments, the third module will be positioned on top of the existing two-module stack, with a slight radial offset to provide room for equipment and connection work.



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