Inclined fuel transfer system between containment vessel and fuel handling building

Abstract

Disclosed is a fuel transfer system comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system includes a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 184,324, filed on March 15, 2023, entitled "INCLINED FUEL TRANSFER SYSTEM BETWEEN CONTAINMENT AND FUEL HANDLING BUILDING", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to nuclear reactors. More particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to a system for transferring nuclear fuel assemblies between a fuel handling building and a containment vessel surrounding a nuclear reactor.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features specific to the aspects disclosed herein and is not intended to be a complete description. A complete understanding of the various aspects disclosed herein can be obtained by taking the entire specification, the claims, and the summary as a whole.

[0004] In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a fuel transfer system comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being disposed at an elevation angle, and a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe.

[0005] In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a fuel transfer system comprising: a first housing; a second housing; and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system comprises a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe; and a reel with a cable. The cable is connected to the fuel transfer cart. The reel is configured to slide the fuel transfer cart from the second housing to the first housing.

[0006] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fuel transfer system comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system comprises a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe. The fuel transfer system comprises a reel comprising a cable connected to the fuel transfer cart. The reel is configured to release tension on the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides passively from the second housing to the first housing, and to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] Novel features in various embodiments are specifically described in the attached claims. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts in some of the figures. However, the embodiments described can be best understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, both in terms of organization and operation.

[0008] [Figure 1] A fuel transfer system in at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 2] A first housing of a fuel transfer system shown in Figure 1 in at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 3] A second housing of the fuel transfer system shown in Figure 1 in at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described in this disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, behaviors, components, and elements are not described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Readers should understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and therefore the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Modifications and changes may be made without departing from the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” are for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting terms.

[0012] It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the structural and arrangement details of the components illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The exemplary embodiments may be implemented or incorporated in other embodiments, variations, and modifications, and may be implemented or performed in a variety of ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions used herein are selected for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary embodiments for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit them. It will also be understood that one or more embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below may be combined with any one or more of the other embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below.

[0013] The fuel for large nuclear reactors used for power generation is stored in long, small-diameter fuel rods, or fuel elements. Typically, the fuel elements are arranged in a predetermined pattern in fuel assemblies with space for vertically adjustable control rods. Once these fuel assemblies are set in place and the reactor is operational, the nuclear fission process generates heat and consumes fuel, so the old fuel assemblies must be removed and replaced with new assemblies containing new fuel. Since the fuel within the metal rods and other supporting structures of each assembly becomes radioactive, the operation of replacing old assemblies with new ones must be carried out underwater for the protection of personnel. As with normal reactor construction, the reactor head and associated components are removed, and the assemblies are lifted vertically from the core and transferred to a storage pool while the refueling cavity is flooded to a level sufficient to keep the assemblies submerged in water.

[0014] After a reactor has been operating for a predetermined period, the fuel in the fuel assemblies burns out, and the spent fuel must be replaced with new fuel in new fuel assemblies. The assemblies containing spent fuel must be removed from the first housing, and the assemblies containing new fuel must be moved to the first housing. During the fuel transfer process, the first and second housings are filled with water. To move the fuel assemblies from the first housing to the second housing, a fuel transfer tube with rails on both sides and containment isolation features is placed between the first and second housings to facilitate the movement of the fuel assemblies. To transfer the fuel assemblies from the first housing to the second housing, the fuel assemblies are placed on carts.

[0015] The underwater fuel transfer system includes the following main elements: The up-ender is located within the containment vessel at the bottom of the refueling cavity. The up-ender is used to rotate the container holding the fuel assemblies from vertical to horizontal. The fuel assemblies are placed into the container held vertically by the up-ender. After the container holding the fuel assemblies has been rotated to the horizontal position by the up-ender, the cart carrying the container is transported through the fuel transfer pipe. The fuel transfer pipe provides a connection between the containment vessel and the spent fuel building. The up-ender on the fuel handling building side in the fuel handling area is located at the bottom of the fuel transfer canal. The fuel transfer canal is a pool filled with water for cooling and shielding purposes. The fuel transfer canal is drained when necessary to repair the fuel transfer system.

[0016] Fuel transfer carts carrying fuel containers move between up-enders on a track system. Fuel containers are tilted from a horizontal to a vertical position, or from a vertical to a horizontal position, by hydraulically driven up-enders. Pushers apply force to insert the fuel transfer carts into and out of the containment vessels through the fuel transfer pipes. The track system provides a straight, rigid path for the fuel transfer carts and pushers. Winches, mechanical devices for pulling and withdrawing the pushers and fuel transfer carts via steel cables, are installed above the water surface in the fuel handling area. Power and hydraulic units supply power and hydraulics to operate the above system components.

[0017] In a conventional pressurized water reactor configuration, the truck, up-ender, and fuel transfer tube are oriented horizontally to each other. Therefore, a winch pulls a cable attached to a pusher to move a cart loaded with fuel assemblies through the fuel transfer tube. The pusher is connected to the fuel transfer cart and, under operator control, forcibly moves the cart between the fuel handling area and the containment vessel up-ender. The length of the pusher is determined by the distance between the up-enders. Given that the pusher is rigidly coupled to the fuel transfer cart, the space required for the pusher at most withdrawal positions determines the length of the fuel transfer canal. The longer the distance between the up-enders, the longer the pusher must be, and consequently, the longer the fuel transfer canal must be.

[0018] In various aspects, this disclosure relates to a fuel transfer system that eliminates the need for pushers and, as a result, minimizes the length of the fuel transfer canal and the size of the first housing. In one embodiment, the entire track system and fuel transfer pipe are inclined to allow reel control as the fuel transfer cart rolls by gravity toward the lower up-ender. The transfer of the fuel transfer cart through the fuel transfer pipe from the fuel handling area side is controlled by the release of a cable by a reel. Given that the control device and reel of the transfer system are located in the fuel handling area, the first up-ender of the first housing (fuel handling area) is located higher than the second up-ender of the second housing (containment vessel side). By gravity, the fuel transfer cart rotates the track system downward from the first housing to the second housing (e.g., from the fuel handling area to the containment area). The fuel transfer cart is pulled out from the second housing to the first housing by a reel that pulls a cable. In one embodiment, the cable is constantly under tension to maintain contact with the pulley and to prevent unintended movement of the fuel transfer cart. In one embodiment, at least two sets of cables may be provided for redundancy purposes. The cable may be configured to be attached to the centerline of the cart to avoid lateral forces during movement. In one embodiment, the cable may be attached to the track system.

[0019] The inclined track system configuration shortens the track system by an amount equal to the length of the pusher. As a result, the length of the fuel transfer canal is shortened. In one embodiment, the first up-ender located in the fuel handling area is equipped with a latch to prevent the fuel transfer cart from rotating and moving downward undesirably, such as during up-ending, insertion or removal of fuel assemblies, or in the event of a cable break. In one embodiment, the fuel transfer cart is equipped with a shock absorber to avoid damage to the fuel assemblies in the event of a cable break during transfer. In one embodiment, the end of the track system on the containment vessel side is equipped with a shock absorber to avoid damage to the fuel assemblies in the event of a cable break during transfer. In another embodiment, both the fuel transfer cart and the lower up-ender are equipped with shock absorbers to avoid damage to the fuel assemblies in the event of a cable break during transfer.

[0020] An up-ender is provided to tilt the container to a vertical position for replacing fuel assemblies. The up-ender tilts the fuel assembly container to an inclination angle of 90° minus the angle of the track system. The inclination position of the fuel transfer cart prevents the fuel assembly from sliding out of the container. The inclination of the track varies. In one embodiment, the inclination of the track is 5°. The depth of the first up-ender within the first housing is set to provide the minimum water coverage above the active fuel when inserting the fuel assembly into the container.

[0021] Referring to the figure, the fuel transfer system 100 is shown in Figure 1. The fuel transfer system 100 comprises a first housing 102, a second housing 104, and a fuel transfer pipe 106 connecting the first housing 102 and the second housing 104. The fuel transfer pipe 106 is positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system 100 further comprises a fuel transfer cart 118 configured to slide from the first housing 102 to the second housing 104 via the fuel transfer pipe 106.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first housing 102 is a fuel handling area. The fuel handling area contains storage facilities for new fuel assemblies that are to be transported to the fuel handling area. The fuel handling area includes storage facilities for spent fuel assemblies that have been removed from the reactor and are awaiting transport to a disposal site. Spent fuel assemblies and partially burned fuel assemblies are transported from the containment area. New fuel and partially burned fuel assemblies are transported to the containment area. A first track system 120 is located inside the first housing 102. The first track system 120 is positioned at an elevation angle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second housing 104 is a containment vessel region. The containment vessel region includes a reactor and associated equipment (not shown), all of which are enclosed in a thick-walled upright vessel. A second track system 128 is located within the second housing 104. The second track system 128 is positioned at an elevation angle.

[0024] The fuel transfer pipe 106 is positioned at an elevation angle between the first housing 102 and the second housing 104. The fuel transfer pipe 106 connects the first housing 102 and the second housing 104. In one embodiment, the first end 127 of the fuel transfer pipe 106 is positioned at a higher height than the second end 129 of the fuel transfer pipe 106, defining the elevation angle. In one embodiment, the fuel transfer cart 118 of the first end 127 has higher potential energy than the fuel transfer cart 118 of the second end 129 of the fuel transfer pipe 106. In one embodiment, the first end 127 of the fuel transfer pipe 106 is connected to the first housing 102, and the second end 129 of the fuel transfer pipe 106 is connected to the second housing 104. The fuel transfer pipe 106 has a third track system 132 positioned within the fuel transfer pipe 106.

[0025] The fuel transfer cart 118 has a frame supported by wheels 140 that travel on a first track system 120, a second track system 128, and a third track system 132. The fuel transfer cart 118 equipped with a fuel container 117 is configured to transfer the fuel assembly 108 between the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 via the fuel transfer pipe 106. At the first end 127 of the fuel transfer pipe 106, the cart 118 has a higher gravitational potential energy than the second end 129 of the fuel transfer pipe 106. In one aspect, the fuel transfer pipe 106 is angled such that the cart is configured to passively slide from the first housing 102 through the fuel transfer pipe 106 to the second housing 104. The fuel transfer pipe 106 can be arranged at several elevation angles, and any of these angles is suitable to allow the fuel transfer cart 118 to move passively from the first housing 102 to the second housing 104. In one aspect, the fuel transfer pipe 106 is arranged at an elevation angle of 5 degrees. The third track system 132 is also configured to be arranged at an elevation angle. All three track systems 120, 128, 132 are arranged in alignment at the same angle.

[0026] A reel 110 and a cable 112 are arranged within the first housing. The reel 110 includes at least one cable 112 connected to the fuel transfer cart 118. In one aspect, the cable 112 can include a first cable and a second cable. The second cable can be adopted as an emergency cable in case the first cable is disconnected.

[0027] The first gate valve 126 is disposed within the first housing 102. The first gate valve 126 is configured to isolate the fuel transfer pipe 106. The first gate valve 126 is configured to be opened and closed by the first valve release portion 122. The first gate valve 126 is sized to allow the fuel transfer cart 118 and the fuel container 117 to pass through. The fuel container 117 is shown in four positions. The fuel container 117 shown by the dashed line indicates the position of the fuel container 117. The first gate valve 126 is configured to close to isolate the fuel handling area. The first gate valve 126 is configured to open to enable the transfer of the fuel transfer cart 118 carrying the fuel container 117 through the fuel transfer pipe 106.

[0028] The second gate valve 130 is disposed within the second housing 104. The second gate valve 130 is configured to isolate the fuel transfer pipe 106. The second gate valve 130 is configured to be opened and closed by the second valve release portion 124. The second gate valve 130 is sized to allow the fuel transfer cart 118 carrying the fuel container 117 to pass through. The second gate valve 130 is configured to close to isolate the fuel transfer pipe 106 or to open to enable the transfer of the fuel transfer cart 118 carrying the fuel container 117. The first upender 116 is disposed within the first housing 102. The first upender 116 is configured to pivot the fuel container 117 to upright or lay down the fuel assembly 108 as indicated by the arrow. In one aspect, the first upender 116 includes a latch 144 configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart 118 from sliding while the first upender 116 is pivoting. In one aspect, the latch 144 is configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart 118 from moving while the latch 144 is engaged with the fuel transfer cart 118.

[0029] Located within the second housing 104 is the second up-ender 114. The second up-ender 114 is configured to pivot the fuel container 117 as indicated by the arrow. In one embodiment, the second track system 128 includes a shock absorber 142 to absorb shocks from the fuel transfer cart 118. In another embodiment, the fuel transfer cart 118 includes a shock absorber to absorb shocks from the fuel transfer cart 118 sliding into the end of the rail system 128. In yet another embodiment, the fuel transfer cart 118 and the end of the rail system 128 are equipped with shock absorbers. The up-enders 114, 116 are configured to pivot the fuel container 117 from a vertical position to a second position. The second position is located at the elevation angle of the fuel transfer cart 118. The second position allows the fuel container 117 to be transported on the fuel transfer cart 118. The up-enders 114 and 116 can also be configured to pivot the fuel container 117 from a second position to a vertical position.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a first housing 102 of the fuel transfer system 100 shown in Figure 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The first housing 102 includes a first up-ender 116, a fuel transfer cart 118, a first track system 120, a first gate valve 126, a first valve release 122, a cable 112, and a reel 110. The fuel transfer cart 118 is configured to travel on the first track system 120 by its wheels 140. The fuel transfer cart 118 is configured to roll along the first track system 120 to transfer fuel assemblies. The same fuel container 117 is shown in both a vertical and horizontal position. The fuel assembly 108 is shown in a position just above the fuel container 117. The fuel transfer cart 118 with the fuel container 117 is normally stopped in the first housing 102 so that both the first gate valve 126 and the second gate valve 130 can be closed when necessary.

[0031] Next, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the cable 112 is connected to a reel 110 and a fuel transfer cart 118. The reel 110 is configured to apply tension to the cable 112. In one embodiment, the reel 110 is configured to apply tension to the cable 112 to prevent unintended movement of the fuel transfer cart 118. In another embodiment, the reel 110 is configured to release the tension on the cable 112, thereby allowing the fuel transfer cart 118 to move along the first track system 120 toward the fuel transfer pipe 106. The fuel transfer cart 118 is configured to move from the first housing 102 to the second housing 104 under the influence of gravity due to the difference in potential energy between the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 caused by the elevation angle between the first end 127 and the second end 129 of the fuel transfer pipe 106. In another embodiment, the reel 110 is configured to move the fuel transfer cart 118 by applying tension to the cable 112. The fuel transfer cart 118 is configured to move from the second housing 104 to the first housing 102 when tension is applied to the cable 112.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a second housing 104 of the fuel transfer system 100 shown in Figure 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The second housing 104 includes a second up-ender 114, a second track system 128, a second gate valve 130, a second valve release 124, and a cable 112. The cable 112 is connected to a fuel transfer cart 118 and is configured to extend from the first housing 102 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) through a fuel transfer pipe 106 to the second housing 104. The fuel transfer cart 118, equipped with a fuel container 117, is shown inside the second housing 104 in a temporary position for fuel assembly replacement. The same fuel container 117 is shown in both a vertical and horizontal position.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1-3, in one embodiment, the reel 110 is configured to apply tension to the cable 112, causing the fuel transfer cart 118 to slide from the second housing 104 to the first housing 102. In another embodiment, the reel 110 is configured to apply tension to the cable 112 to prevent the fuel transfer cart 118 from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe 106.

[0034] In one embodiment, the reel 110 includes a cable 112 connected to a fuel transfer cart 118. The reel 110 is configured to release tension on the cable 112 so that the fuel transfer cart 118 can passively slide from the first housing 102 to the second housing 104. The reel 110 is configured to apply tension to the cable 112 so that the fuel transfer cart 118 can slide from the second housing 104 to the first housing 102.

[0035] The first up-ender 116 pivots the fuel container 117 as indicated by the arrow, and the fuel container 117 receives the fuel assembly 108. The first up-ender 116 pivots the fuel container 117 together with the fuel assembly 108 back to its transfer position in the fuel transfer cart 8. The fuel transfer cart 118 slides from the first up-ender 116 in the first housing 102 to the second housing 104 due to the effects of gravity and the release of tension on the cable 112. The fuel transfer cart 118 moves from the first housing 102 through the fuel transfer pipe 106 to the second housing 104. The fuel transfer cart 118 stops at the second up-ender 114 in the second housing 104. The second up-ender 114 pivots the fuel container 117 to remove the fuel assembly.

[0036] In one embodiment, the second up-ender 114 pivots the fuel container 117 as indicated by the arrow, and the fuel container 117 receives the fuel assembly 108. The second up-ender 114 pivots the fuel container 117 together with the fuel assembly 108 back to the transfer position in the fuel transfer cart 118. The fuel transfer cart 118 can slide from the second up-ender 114 in the second housing 104 to the first up-ender 116 in the first housing 102 by applying tension to a cable 112 attached to the fuel transfer cart 118. The tension applied to the cable 112 by the reel 110 allows the fuel transfer cart 118 to move from the second housing 104 through the fuel transfer pipe 106 to the first housing 102. The fuel transfer cart 118 stops at the first up-ender 116. The first up-ender 116 pivots the fuel container 117 to a vertical position for removal of the fuel assembly.

[0037] (example) Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

[0038] Example 1 - A fuel transfer system comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system comprises a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe.

[0039] Example 2 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 1, wherein the first end of the fuel transfer pipe is positioned higher than the second end of the fuel transfer pipe in order to define the elevation angle.

[0040] Example 3 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 1 or 2, further comprising a first up-ender in the first housing, wherein the first up-ender comprises a latch, the latch being configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

[0041] Example 4 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a second up-ender in the second housing, the second up-ender comprising a shock absorber for absorbing shocks from the fuel transfer cart.

[0042] Example 5 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

[0043] Example 6 - A fuel transfer system according to Example 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, comprising a reel, the reel comprising a cable connected to the fuel transfer cart.

[0044] Example 7 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 6, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing.

[0045] Example 8 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 6 or 7, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

[0046] Example 9 - Fuel transfer system comprising: a first housing; a second housing; and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system comprises: a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe; and a reel comprising a cable, the cable being connected to the fuel transfer cart. The reel is configured to slide the fuel transfer cart from the second housing to the first housing.

[0047] Example 10 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 9, further comprising a first up-ender in the first housing, wherein the first up-ender comprises a latch, the latch being configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

[0048] Example 11 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 9 or 10, further comprising a second up-ender in the second housing, the second up-ender comprising a shock absorber for absorbing shocks from the fuel transfer cart.

[0049] Example 12 - A fuel transfer system of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

[0050] Example 13 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing.

[0051] Example 14 - A fuel transfer system according to Example 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

[0052] Example 15 - Fuel transfer system comprising: a first housing; a second housing; and a fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, the fuel transfer pipe being positioned at an elevation angle. The fuel transfer system comprises a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe. The fuel transfer system comprises a reel comprising a cable connected to the fuel transfer cart. The reel is configured to release tension on the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides passively from the second housing to the first housing, and to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing.

[0053] Example 16 - The fuel transfer system according to Example 15, further comprising a first up-ender in the first housing, wherein the first up-ender comprises a latch, the latch being configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

[0054] Example 17 - A fuel transfer system of Example 15 or 16, further comprising a second up-ender in the second housing, the second up-ender comprising a shock absorber for absorbing shocks from the fuel transfer cart.

[0055] Example 18 - A fuel transfer system of Example 15, 16, or 17, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

[0056] Example 19 - A fuel transfer system of Example 15, 16, 17, or 18, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

[0057] Example 20 - The first housing is a fuel handling area, The second housing is a containment area in a fuel transfer system, e.g., 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19.

[0058] All patents, patent applications, publications, or other disclosures referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference in whole, as if each individual reference were expressly incorporated by reference. All references, and their materials, or any part thereof, that are incorporated herein by reference are incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosures contained herein. Thus, and to the extent necessary, the disclosures contained herein supersede any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference, and the disclosures expressly contained herein govern.

[0059] The embodiments described herein are understood to provide exemplary features of various details of various embodiments of the Disclosure; therefore, unless otherwise specified, one or more features, elements, components, components, structures, modules, and / or embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may, to the extent possible, be combined with, separated, replaced, and / or rearranged with one or more other features, elements, components, components, structures, modules, and / or embodiments of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the Disclosure. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the Disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize, or can confirm without doing anything more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the various embodiments of the Disclosure described herein by examining this specification. Accordingly, the Disclosure is not limited by the description of various embodiments, but rather by the claims.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will generally recognize that the terms used herein, particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the text of the appended claims), are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “contains” should be interpreted as “contains but not limited,” the term “has” should be interpreted as “has at least,” and the term “contains” should be interpreted as “contains but not limited”). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a particular number of descriptions in the introduced claims are intended, such intention is explicitly stated in the claims, and if such statement is absent, such intention does not exist. For example, for the sake of understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce the description of the claims. The use of such phrases should not be interpreted as the introduction of the description in the claims by the indefinite article “a” or “an” limiting any particular claim containing the introduced description to a claim containing only one such description. Even if the same claim includes introductory phrases such as "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should generally be interpreted as "at least one" or "one or more"), the same applies when a definite article is used to introduce the claim.

[0061] Furthermore, even if a specific number of descriptions in an introduced claim is explicitly repeated, a person skilled in the art will recognize that such descriptions should typically be interpreted as meaning at least the number stated (for example, the description of “two descriptions” alone without other modifiers usually means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions). Furthermore, in manner in which idiomatic expressions similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” are used, such constructions are generally intended to be understood by a person skilled in the art (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” includes, but is not limited to, systems of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together). In these embodiments where conventions similar to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” are used, such configurations are generally intended in a sense that a person skilled in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” includes, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). As a person skilled in the art would further understand, disjunctive words and / or phrases presenting two or more alternative terms in the specification, claims, or drawings should be understood, unless otherwise indicated by the context, as construed to include the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both of the terms. For example, the expression “A or B” is typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0062] Those skilled in the art will understand that, with respect to the attached claims, the actions described herein may generally be performed in any order. Furthermore, while the claims are presented in order, it should be understood that various actions may be performed in any order other than those described, or simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orders include, unless otherwise indicated by the context, repetitive orders, interleaved orders, interrupted orders, rearranged orders, incremental orders, preparatory orders, supplementary orders, simultaneous orders, reverse orders, or other variant orders. Moreover, terms such as "corresponding to," "related to," or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants unless otherwise indicated by the context.

[0063] Please note that any reference to “one aspect,” “a certain aspect,” “one aspect,” “a certain aspect,” “an example,” or “an example” means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in relation to that aspect are included in at least one aspect. Therefore, although the expressions “in one aspect,” “a certain aspect,” “in one aspect,” “in an example,” and “in an example” appear in various places throughout this specification, they do not necessarily all refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable way in one or more aspects.

[0064] As used herein, the singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0065] Directional terms used herein, such as, for example, top, bottom, left, right, down, up, front, back, and variations thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the scope of the claims unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0066] As used in this disclosure, the terms “about” or “generally” mean, unless otherwise specified, an acceptable error to a particular value as determined by a person skilled in the art, the error of which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the terms “about” or “generally” mean within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the terms “about” or “generally” mean within 50%, 200%, 105%, 100%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0067] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, all numerical parameters are understood to be preceded and modified in all embodiments by the term “approximately.” In this case, the numerical parameters have inherent variability specific to the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical values ​​of the parameters. Not at least, without attempting to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should be interpreted by applying ordinary rounding techniques, at least in light of the reported number of significant figures.

[0068] Numerical ranges described herein include all subranges encompassed within the described range. For example, the range "1 to 100" includes all subranges between (and including) the stated minimum value of 1 and the stated maximum value of 100, i.e., all subranges having a minimum value of 1 or greater and a maximum value of 100 or less. Furthermore, all ranges referred to herein include the endpoints of the range referred to. For example, the range "1 to 100" includes the endpoints 1 and 100. The maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all subranges encompassed therein, and the minimum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all higher numerical limits encompassed therein. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly describe any subranges encompassed within the explicitly described ranges. All such ranges are essentially described herein.

[0069] Any patent applications, patents, non-patent publications, or other disclosure materials referenced herein and / or included in application data sheets are incorporated herein by reference, provided that the incorporated material does not conflict with this Specified. To the extent necessary, disclosures expressly stated herein take precedence over any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material or part thereof that is incorporated herein by reference but conflicts with existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure materials provided herein is incorporated only to the extent that it does not create a conflict between the incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0070] The terms “comprise” (and any form of “comprise,” such as “comprises” or “comprising”), “have” (and any form of “have,” such as “has” or “having”), “include” (and any form of “include,” such as “includes” or “including”), and “contain” (and any form of “contains” or “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements possesses, but is not limited to possessing only, those one or more elements. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features possesses, but is not limited to possessing only, those one or more features.

Claims

1. A fuel transfer system, The first housing and The second housing and A fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is arranged at an elevation angle, A fuel transfer system comprising a fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe.

2. The fuel transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the fuel transfer pipe is positioned higher than the second end of the fuel transfer pipe in order to define the elevation angle.

3. The first housing further comprises a first up-endor, The first up-ender is equipped with a latch, The fuel transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

4. The second housing further comprises a second up-endor, The fuel transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the second up-ender is equipped with a shock absorber for absorbing impacts from the fuel transfer cart.

5. The fuel transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

6. Equipped with a reel, The fuel transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a cable connected to the fuel transfer cart.

7. The fuel transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing.

8. The fuel transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

9. A fuel transfer system, The first housing and The second housing and A fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is arranged at an elevation angle, A fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe, A reel comprising a cable, the cable being connected to the fuel transfer cart, and the reel being configured to slide the fuel transfer cart from the second housing to the first housing, Fuel transfer system.

10. The first housing further comprises a first up-endor, The first up-ender is equipped with a latch, The fuel transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the latch is configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

11. The second housing further comprises a second up-endor, The fuel transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the second up-ender is equipped with a shock absorber for absorbing impacts from the fuel transfer cart.

12. The fuel transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

13. The fuel transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so that the fuel transfer cart slides from the second housing to the first housing.

14. The fuel transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

15. A fuel transfer system, The first housing and The second housing and A fuel transfer pipe connecting the first housing and the second housing, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is arranged at an elevation angle, A fuel transfer cart configured to slide from the first housing to the second housing via the fuel transfer pipe, A reel comprising a cable connected to the fuel transfer cart, The aforementioned reel is, The tension on the cable is released so that the fuel transfer cart passively slides from the second housing to the first housing. The fuel transfer cart is configured to apply tension to the cable so that it slides from the second housing to the first housing. The reel comprises, Fuel transfer system.

16. The first housing further comprises a first up-endor, The first up-ender is equipped with a latch, The fuel transfer system according to claim 15, wherein the latch is configured to prevent the fuel transfer cart from sliding while the latch is engaged with the fuel transfer cart.

17. The second housing further comprises a second up-endor, The fuel transfer system according to claim 15, wherein the second up-ender is equipped with a shock absorber for absorbing impacts from the fuel transfer cart.

18. The fuel transfer system according to claim 15, wherein the fuel transfer pipe is positioned at the elevation angle such that the fuel transfer cart can passively slide from the first housing to the second housing.

19. The fuel transfer system according to claim 15, wherein the reel is configured to apply tension to the cable so as to prevent the fuel transfer cart from passively sliding within the fuel transfer pipe.

20. The first housing is a fuel handling area, The fuel transfer system according to claim 15, wherein the second housing is a containment vessel area.

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