System for low profile translation of high level radioactive waste
First Claim
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1. A low profile transport apparatus for transporting radioactive waste, the apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical annular body comprising a vertical axis, an open top end, an open bottom end, and a circumferentially-extending sidewall defining a cavity configured for holding a cask containing radioactive waste;
a top plate attached proximate to the top end of the annular body;
a bottom plate attached proximate to the bottom end of the annular body;
the top and bottom plates each extending perimetrically around the annular body and projecting laterally outwards therefrom;
a plurality of support assemblies spaced circumferentially apart on the annular body, the support assemblies configured for supporting the cask in the cavity;
a front roller housing extending forward from a front end of the annular body; and
a rear roller housing extending rearward from a rear end of the annular body,wherein each of the front and rear roller housings comprise a pair of vertically extensible and retractable roller assemblies configured for rolling engagement with a horizontal transport surface.
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Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for handling and translating high level radioactive waste. The apparatus comprises a body for supporting the cask close to the ground so that the cask and the apparatus can pass underneath over head doors. The apparatus further comprises rollers for translating the cask. The apparatus additionally supports the storage cask during spent nuclear fuel transfer procedures.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A low profile transport apparatus for transporting radioactive waste, the apparatus comprising:
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a cylindrical annular body comprising a vertical axis, an open top end, an open bottom end, and a circumferentially-extending sidewall defining a cavity configured for holding a cask containing radioactive waste; a top plate attached proximate to the top end of the annular body; a bottom plate attached proximate to the bottom end of the annular body; the top and bottom plates each extending perimetrically around the annular body and projecting laterally outwards therefrom; a plurality of support assemblies spaced circumferentially apart on the annular body, the support assemblies configured for supporting the cask in the cavity; a front roller housing extending forward from a front end of the annular body; and a rear roller housing extending rearward from a rear end of the annular body, wherein each of the front and rear roller housings comprise a pair of vertically extensible and retractable roller assemblies configured for rolling engagement with a horizontal transport surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A low profile transport system for transporting nuclear waste, the apparatus comprising:
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a cask containing nuclear waste; a cylindrical annular body comprising a vertical axis, an open top end, an open bottom end, and a circumferentially-extending sidewall defining a cavity; a plurality of support assemblies spaced circumferentially apart on the annular body, the support assemblies configured to provide cantilevered support for the cask in the cavity; a top plate attached proximate to the top end of the annular body and including cantilevered front and rear extensions protruding from the annular body; a bottom plate attached proximate to the bottom end of the annular body and including cantilevered front and rear extensions protruding from the annular body; a front roller assembly housing formed from the front extension of the top plate and the front extension of the bottom plate; and a rear roller assembly housing formed from the rear extension of the top plate and the rear extension of the bottom plate; the roller assembly housings disposed on diametrically opposite front and rear portions of the annular body; each roller assembly housing comprising two roller assemblies, each roller assembly disposed between a pair of vertical inner and outer plates attached to the top and bottom plates at their ends; each roller assembly including a roller attached to a bottom of a base plate and laterally spaced apart low-friction plates extending upwards from the base plate; the roller assemblies being vertically movable between a retracted position in which the rollers are at least partially retracted into their respective roller housing and an extended position in which the rollers are at least partially projected from their respective roller housing; and wherein the low-friction plates slide along the inner and outer plates when the rollers move between the retracted and extended positions and prevent supination or pronation of the rollers assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A low profile transport system for transporting nuclear waste, the apparatus comprising:
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a cask containing nuclear waste; a cylindrical annular body comprising a vertical axis, an open top end, an open bottom end, and a circumferentially-extending sidewall defining a cavity; a plurality of support assemblies spaced circumferentially apart on the annular body, the support assemblies configured to support the cask in the cavity in a cantilevered manner; a top plate attached proximate to the top end of the annular body and including cantilevered front and rear extensions protruding from the annular body; a bottom plate attached proximate to the bottom end of the annular body and including cantilevered front and rear extensions protruding from the annular body; a pair of front roller assemblies supported between the front extensions of the top and bottom plates, each front roller assembly including a vertically movable roller operably coupled to a hydraulic jack arranged in a compartment formed by a pair of vertical compartment side plates attached to the front extensions; and a pair of rear roller assemblies supported between the rear extensions of the top and bottom plates;
each rear roller assembly including a vertically movable roller operably coupled to a hydraulic jack arranged in a compartment formed by a pair of vertical compartment side plates attached to the rear extensions;each roller assembly further including a base plate and a laterally spaced apart pair of low-friction plates extending upwards from the base plate, each low-friction plate disposed between the jack and one of the compartment side plates; each roller assembly being vertically movable between a retracted position in which the rollers are at least partially retracted into their respective compartment, and an extended position in which the rollers are at least partially projected downwards beyond their respective compartment; wherein the low-friction plates slide along the compartment side plates when the rollers move between the retracted and extended positions and prevent supination or pronation of the rollers assemblies.
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Specification