US3883012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dry cask handling system for shipping nuclear fuel
Assignee: UNC NUCLEAR INDUSTRIES Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear facility is described for improved handling of a shipping cask for nuclear fuel. After being brought into the building, the cask is lowered into a tank mounted on a transporter, which then carries the tank into a position under an auxiliary well to which it is sealed. Fuel can then be loaded into or unloaded from the cask via the auxiliary well which is flooded. Throughout the procedure, the cask surface remains dry.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil R Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:30
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/32; G21C19/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a facility for handling radioactive nuclear fuel elements and comprising a structure having at a first location a fluid pool for receiving the fuel and at a second location a dry area for receiving a shielded shipping cask for transport of the fuel, and connecting the first and second locations a fuel transfer canal and means for flooding the fuel transfer canal whereby the fuel can be transferred between the locations via the flooded fuel transfer canal while maintaining the cask exterior dry, the improvement comprising a tank sized to receive the cask means for fluid-sealing the cask when within the tank to the tank in such manner that the cask exterior is isolated from the fuel transfer canal, and means for fluid-sealing the tank to the fuel transfer canal when the tank is provided adjacent thereto within the second location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a facility for handling radioactive nuclear fuel elements and comprising a structure having at a first location a fluid pool for receiving the fuel and at a second location a dry area for receiving a shielded shipping cask for transport of the fuel, and connecting the first and second locations a fuel transfer canal and means for flooding the fuel transfer canal whereby the fuel can be transferred between the locations via the flooded fuel transfer canal while maintaining the cask exterior dry, the improvement comprising a tank sized to receive the cask means for fluid-sealing the cask when within the tank to the tank in such manner that the cask exterior is isolated from the fuel transfer canal, and means for fluid-sealing the tank to the fuel transfer canal when the tank is provided adjacent thereto within the second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The facility of claim 1 and further comprising a third area wherein the cask is brought into the facility, said third area being located above the dry cask receiving area, and means for transferring the cask from the third area to the receiving area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The facility of claim 2 wherein the dry cask receiving area is elongated with the fuel transfer canal at one end and an opening at the other end whereby the cask can be transferred therein from the third area, and means being provided for transporting the cask along the length of the receiving area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The facility oF claim 3 wherein the transport means includes means for supporting the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The facility of claim 4 wherein the transporting means comprises a wheeled cart on rails and an endless motor driven chain attached to the cart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The facility of claim 1 wherein the tank is double walled with plural flanged areas and a double bellows system is provided for fluid sealing the tank at the plural flanged areas to the underside of the fuel transfer canal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The facility of claim 1 wherein the tank to cask fluid sealing means comprises an adapter member, means for sealing the adapter to the cask, a bellows sealed to the tank wall, and means for sealing the adapter to the bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The facility of claim 6 and comprising drain means for the space between the bellows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The facility of claim 7 and comprising drain means located on the adapter for the fuel transfer canal, and drain means for the space under the adapter between the cask and the tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3190805A
Cited
US3282793A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |