US5059797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring the dose rate in a transportation flask containing radioactive waste
Assignee: Orano Demantelement SAS
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Filing: 1990-11-05
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Prior to the transportation to a discharge site of a casket or flask in which has been placed a container filled with radioactive waste, through a hole formed in the flask is introduced a probe holder (32) connected by electrical connectors (76,80) to an external measuring apparatus. The probe holder (31) is provided with a handle (68) making it possible, through a mechanism (66,56,54,50), to swing a door (42) to which a probe (34) is fixed between a retracted introduction position and a measuring position in which the probe can be oriented at 90° relative to the probe holder axis. After the probe holder has been coupled by a nut (40) to a container carrier in which is located the container containing the waste, a precise, reproducible measurement of the dose rate within the transportation flask can be carried out.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Bukowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G21; G21F; G21F5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for measuring the dose rate within a transportation flask containing a container carrier able to receive a container filled with radioactive waste, the transportation flask having a bottom which has a passage opening for a transfer poker, which can be coupled to a screw of the container carrier, said apparatus comprising a probe holder having a tube able to pass through the passage hole, a coupling nut mounted at one end of the tube and which can be coupled to the screw of the container carrier, an articulated door formed in the tube and able to occupy a closed position and an open position, and manipulating means accessible from the opposite end of the tube and controlling a displacement of the door between its open and closed positions; a probe for measuring the dose rate fixed to the door in such a way that it can be retracted into the tube when the door is in the closed position; an external measuring means connected to the probe for measuring the dose rate by electrical conductors passing into the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for measuring the dose rate within a transportation flask containing a container carrier able to receive a container filled with radioactive waste, the transportation flask having a bottom which has a passage opening for a transfer poker, which can be coupled to a screw of the container carrier, said apparatus comprising a probe holder having a tube able to pass through the passage hole, a coupling nut mounted at one end of the tube and which can be coupled to the screw of the container carrier, an articulated door formed in the tube and able to occupy a closed position and an open position, and manipulating means accessible from the opposite end of the tube and controlling a displacement of the door between its open and closed positions; a probe for measuring the dose rate fixed to the door in such a way that it can be retracted into the tube when the door is in the closed position; an external measuring means connected to the probe for measuring the dose rate by electrical conductors passing into the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manipulating means also control the closing of an electric supply circuit for a display system of the measuring means, when the door is in the open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manipulating means comprise a rod sliding axially within the tube and whereof one end is articulated to a link articulated to the said door and positioned opposite to the latter with respect to its articulation axis on the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the manipulating means also comprise a control handle cooperating by a screw - nut system with the end of the tube opposite to the coupling nut and connected in translation to the end of the rod opposite to the link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the end of the rod opposite to the link is integral with a bush, which automatically closes a switch mounted at the end of the tube opposite to the coupling nut and belonging to the electric supply circuit of the display system, when the bush arrives in a front position corresponding to the open position of the door.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the open position of the door corresponds to an orientation of the probe by approximately 90° relative to the tube axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling nut is mounted in rotary manner on the probe holder, means being provided for controlling a locking in rotation of the nut with respect to the probe holder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the said means for controlling a locking in rotation of the nut comprise a pull knob mounted in sliding manner on the tube parallel to the axis of the latter and a recess of the nut able to receive one end of the pull knob.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1206767A
Cited
US3643096A
Cited
JPS60131498A
Cited
US4620800A
Cited
JPS62217181A
Cited
US4822238A
Cited
JPS6342737A
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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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |