Patent · US Expired

Containers for transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel

US5438597A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
25References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 8, 1993
Grant dateAug 1, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 8, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21F5/008
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a transportation and storage assembly for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The transportation and storage assembly includes a basket assembly (24) designed for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, or a basket assembly (122) designed for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The basket assemblies (24, 122) are inserted into a canister (22). The canister (22) includes a shell (26) that receives and surrounds the basket assemblies (24, 122), and lids (28, 96) that enclose the shell (26). The basket assemblies (24, 122) include a plurality of apertured plates (36, 124) interconnected by structural members (42, 88) that maintain the plates (36, 124) in a spaced apart relationship, axially aligning the apertures (38, 126) in the plates (36, 124). In the basket assembly (24) for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a container (44) is inserted into a row of axially aligned apertures (122), having a drain passage (104). In the basket assembly (122) for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a plurality of guide sleeve assemblies (132) are formed from structural members (134, 138), and a layer (136) including a neutron poisoning material. The containers (44)…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.