Cask transporter with bottom lift capability

• US 5,839,874 A
• Filed: 05/07/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: J&R Engineering Company Inc.
• Original Assignee: J&R Engineering Company Inc.
• Inventors: Johnston, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keenan, James W.
• Application Number:
  US08/646,035
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 414/458, 414/459, 414/460, 414/461, 414/471, 414/495, 414/496, 414/911
• US Class Current: 414/459
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 19/005 Straddle carriers B66C19/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 19/32 Apparatus for removing radioactive objects or materials from the reactor discharge area, e.g. to a storage place; Apparatus for handling radioactive objects or materials within a storage place or removing them therefrom disposal of waste material G21F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/14 Devices for handling containers or shipping-casks, e.g. transporting devices loading and unloading, filling of containers cranes, load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, winches or tackles B66C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/124 Roll handlers

Abstract

A transporter for raising, transporting and positioning ventilated nuclear waste storage casks includes a U-shaped platform that moves on a pair of independently controllable crawlers. A pair of lower lift beams, dimensioned to extend through the air channels of the cask, are slung below the platform. The rear ends of the lower lift beams can be raised and lowered by means of hydraulic cylinders carried on the platform. The forward ends of the lower lift beams can be raised and lowered by an upper lift beam that extends across the forward end of the platform between two vertically extendable columns. After the forward ends of the lower lift beams are inserted through the cask air channels, they are coupled to the upper lift beam by means of two lift pendants. A restraining strap encircles the cask and is tensioned by means of a hydraulic cylinder in order to keep the cask from swinging relative to the platform.

Claims

1. A transporter for transporting a ventilated storage cask of the type having a pair of substantially parallel air channels, comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel, substantially horizontal beams receivable in the air channels of the ventilated storage cask, each of the beams having first and second ends;

a first lift mechanism coupled to the first ends of the beams for raising and lowering the first ends of the beams;

a second lift mechanism coupled to the first lift mechanism and operable to lift and lower in the same direction, at substantially the same time and at substantially the same rate as the first lift mechanism; and

a selectively engageable coupling for coupling the second ends of the beams with the second lift mechanism after the second ends of the beams have been inserted through the air channels of the cask so that the first and second lift mechanisms can simultaneously lift the beams in a substantially horizontal orientation and thereby lift the cask for transport.

2. A transporter as defined in claim 1 further comprising a mobile platform for supporting and transporting the first and second lift mechanisms and the beams coupled thereto.

3. A transporter as defined in claim 2 wherein the beams can be raised from and lowered to a position wherein each beam substantially rests on the ground.

4. A transporter as defined in claim 3 wherein each beam includes an underside adapted for horizontal movement over the ground.

5. A transporter as defined in claim 4 wherein the underside of each beam includes one or more rotary elements.

6. A transporter as defined in claim 2 wherein the first lifting mechanism includes a pair of lifting devices individually coupled to the first ends of the beams.

7. A transporter as defined in claim 6 wherein the lifting devices coupled to the first ends of the beams comprise hydraulic cylinders mounted on the mobile platform.

8. A transporter as defined in claim 2 wherein the second lifting mechanism includes a substantially horizontal top lift beam raisable and lowerable relative to the mobile platform.

9. A transporter as defined in claim 8 further comprising a pair of extendible vertical columns for supporting the top lift beam.

10. A transporter as defined in claim 9 wherein the selectively engageable coupling interconnects the second end of each beam with the top lift beam.

11. A transporter as defined in claim 10 wherein the selectively engageable coupling includes a pair of straps extending between the top lift beam and the second ends of the beams.

12. A transporter for transporting a ventilated storage cask of the type including two air channels at its lower end, comprising:

a mobile platform defining an open area for receiving the cask therein;

a pair of bottom lift beams within the open area arranged to extend through the air channels of the cask when the cask is received in the open area, each of the bottom lift beams including a near end and a far end;

a first lift mechanism on the mobile platform engaging the near end of each of the bottom lift beams for controllably raising the near ends of the bottom lift beams;

a pair of extendible lift booms extending vertically upwardly from the mobile platform on opposite sides of the open area adjacent the far ends of the lower lift beams;

a top lift beam extending substantially horizontally across the upper ends of the extendible lift booms substantially above the far ends of the bottom lift beams; and

a pair of lift pendants, each of the lift pendants being connectable at one end to the top lift beam and at the other end to the far end of a bottom lift beam.

13. A transporter as defined in claim 12 wherein the mobile platform is of generally U-shaped configuration and the top lift beam extends across the open ends of the mobile platform.

14. A transporter as defined in claim 13 wherein the mobile platform moves on a pair of crawlers.

15. A transporter as defined in claim 14 wherein the first lift mechanism includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders individually connected to the near ends of the bottom lift beams.

16. A transporter as defined in claim 12 further comprising a restraint for securing the cask within the open area to restrain swinging movement of the cask relative to the mobile platform.

17. A transporter as defined in claim 16 wherein the restraint includes a strap adapted to encircle at least a portion of the cask.

18. A transporter as defined in claim 17 wherein the restraint includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the strap around the cask.

19. A transporter as defined in claim 18 wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder operable to tension the strap.