US4776982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Procedure for temporary storage of radioactive material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-05-12
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2007-05-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method for the storage in a storage room (9) of radioactive material and particularly for the temporary storage of radioactive nuclear fuel from nuclear reactors and of non-reprocessed radioactive material. A remote-controlled robot arrangement, comprising a transfer robot (4) and a lifting and carrying robot (5), is designed to fit into a lift (8) for moving the material from ground level to the storage room, to transfer the material into double-walled containers (1), and to carry stacks of containers. The material is transferred by the transfer robot (4) to and from the double-walled containers (1). The containers are provided with safety arrangement (2) with three safety locks to prevent the radioactive material from escaping during transfer. Heat removal from the double-walled containers (1) is effected by means which make the heat available for practical use and maintain the correct temperature in the containers.
Inventors
- 👤 John Canevall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:26
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/06; G21C19/07; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/06; G21F5/10; G21F9/00; G21F9/28; G21F9/34; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to a storage room; positioning a double-walled storage container in the storage room; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the positioned double-walled storage container; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled storage container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to a storage room; positioning a double-walled storage container in the storage room; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the positioned double-walled storage container; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled storage container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 including the step of stacking a plurality of said double-walled storage containers in said storage room.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the radioactive material is transferred from the transfer container to the double-walled storage container through a valve.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to a storage room; providing a double-walled storage container in the storage room; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the doubled-walled storage container; storing the double-walled storage container containing the radioactive material in the storage room; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source; and transferring the radioactive material from the double-walled storage container to another storage container after the radioactive material has cooled in the double-walled storage container.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to a storage room; providing a double-walled storage container in the storage room; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the doubled-walled storage container; storing the double-walled storage container containing the radioactive material in the storage room; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source; and transferring the radioactive material from the double-walled storage container to another storage container after the radioactive material has cooled in the double-walled storage container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; arranging a plurality of double-walled storage containers at predetermined locations in a storage room; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to the storage room and adjacent one of the arranged double-walled storage containers; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the adjacent one of the double-walled storage containers; storing the double-walled storage container containing the radioactive material in the storage room; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for temporary storage of radioactive material, said method comprising: transferring the radioactive material from a transport vehicle to a transfer container; arranging a plurality of double-walled storage containers at predetermined locations in a storage room; moving said transfer container with the radioactive material to the storage room and adjacent one of the arranged double-walled storage containers; transferring the radioactive material directly from said transfer container to the adjacent one of the double-walled storage containers; storing the double-walled storage container containing the radioactive material in the storage room; cooling the radioactive material in the double-walled storage container by circulating a heat exchange medium through the space formed between the double walls of said double-walled container to conduct heat away from the material; utilizing the heated heat exchange medium to provide an energy source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |