Centering arrangement for aligning the mutually adjacent openings of a lock and a container for holding radioactive materials

US5019324A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen mbH · DE

Inventors

• Burkart Schulte · Minden, DE
• Norbert Hardt · Hannover, DE
• Rainer Kohne · Höchberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 1989
• Grant date: May 28, 1991
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention is directed to a centering arrangement for aligning two mutly adjacent openings of a lock and a container for receiving radioactive waste which is passed into the container through the lock. The container is provided with additional openings having a cross-sectional center point which is displaced from the cross-sectional point of the container per se. The centering arrangement includes a carrier which is pivotally journalled on a vehicle so as to be movable from a vertical plane into a horizontal plane and the vehicle is movable along rails in a horizontal direction. The longitudinal axis of the container is in a position aligned to a fixed point of the lock. The carrier includes a first container guide including an annular member having an inner conical surface and a second conical guide for positioning the container openings with respect to the rotational position of the container. The base of the carrier and the base of the container conjointly define an interface at which centering pins and corresponding counter openings are provided. The carrier is equipped with holders for holding the container in its centered end position.