US4535250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container for radioactive materials
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1984-05-30
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Granted: 1985-08-13
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Expires: 2004-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A container for housing a plurality of canister assemblies containing radioactive material and disposed in a longitudinally spaced relation within a carrier to form a payload package concentrically mounted within the container. The payload package includes a spacer for each canister assembly, said spacer comprising a base member longitudinally spacing adjacent canister assemblies from each other and a sleeve surrounding the associated canister assembly for centering the same and conducting heat from the radioactive material in a desired flow path.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley R. Fields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A container for shipping and storing radioactive material comprising: an outer shell, an inner payload package mounted concentrically within said shell, a radiation shielding material interposed between said pay load package and said shell, said payload package comprising a basket for housing a plurality of canister assemblies containing said radioactive material, said basket comprises a side wall and an end wall supporting alternate canister assemblies and spaces in a stacked relation therein thin, said canister assemblies arranged in a longitudinally spaced relation, a plurality of spacers associated with said canister assemblies, respectively, each spacer having a base member longitudinally spacing adjacent canister assemblies and a sleeve portion surrounding said associated canister assembly wherein said base of each spacer comprises a web portion for supporting a canister assembly and a peripheral rim of thickness adapted to rest on an adjacent canister assembly, said web having a central access opening there through.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A container for shipping and storing radioactive material comprising: an outer shell, an inner payload package mounted concentrically within said shell, a radiation shielding material interposed between said pay load package and said shell, said payload package comprising a basket for housing a plurality of canister assemblies containing said radioactive material, said basket comprises a side wall and an end wall supporting alternate canister assemblies and spaces in a stacked relation therein thin, said canister assemblies arranged in a longitudinally spaced relation, a plurality of spacers associated with said canister assemblies, respectively, each spacer having a base member longitudinally spacing adjacent canister assemblies and a sleeve portion surrounding said associated canister assembly wherein said base of each spacer comprises a web portion for supporting a canister assembly and a peripheral rim of thickness adapted to rest on an adjacent canister assembly, said web having a central access opening there through.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container according to claim 1, wherein said side wall comprises a pair of spaced apart members having ribs interposed therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A container according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve portion forms an axial extension of said rim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container according to claim 1, including a pressure vessel encasing said payload package.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container according to claim 4, including radiation shielding material interposed between said pressure vessel and said outer shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container according to claim 5, including a thermal barrier between said shielding material and said outer shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container according to claim 6, wherein said thermal barrier comprises an air gap spacing said shielding material from said outer shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container according to claim 7, including means in said gap for maintaining said spacing between said shielding material and said outer shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A container according to claim 1, including means for conducting heat away from said payload package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A container according to claim 9, wherein said heat conducting means includes a plurality of radial fins interposed between said payload package and said outer shell and extending substantially lengthwise of said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container according to claim 1, including a multiplicity of laterally spaced fins extending substantially lengthwise of said outer shell and projecting radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A container according to claim 5, wherein said radiation shielding material comprises a gamma shield surrounding said pressure vessel and a neutron shield disposed about said gamma shield.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container according to claim 12, wherein said neutron shield is provided with an outer liner slightly spaced from said outer shell to define a thermal insulating gap therebetween, and means in said gap for maintaining the proper spacing between said outer liner and said outer shell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A container according to claim 13, including means for conducting heat away from said payload package, said heat conducting means including a plurality of radial fins extending through said neutron shield, and a multiplicity of laterally spaced fins extending substantially lengthwise of said outer shell and projecting radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container according to claim 1, including means mounted in said outer shell for releasing abnormal pressures generated therewithin under accidental extreme elevated temperatures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-12 | 1989-02-11 | 1989-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-12 | 1993-02-11 | 1993-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-12 | 1997-02-11 | 1997-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |