An improved assembly including packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials, and a removable handling structure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ORANO NUCLEAR PACKAGES & SERVICES
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure 0007897870000001 
Figure 0007897870000002 
Figure 0007897870000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packages for transporting and / or storing radioactive substances, such as radioactive waste contained in drums or nuclear fuel assemblies.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to the handling of these packages and to means for performing conventional handling operations, such as tilting the package from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa.
Background Art
[0003] Generally, a package has a body that defines a cavity in which a radioactive substance is contained. During transportation, impact-absorbing caps are usually installed at the axial ends of the package body to protect the structure of the package body in case of a drop. During storage of the radioactive substance, the impact-absorbing caps can be removed to save space in the storage location.
[0004] Also, depending on its design, the package body can optionally be equipped with handling members such as trunnions. When such members are permanently provided on the package body, handling operations are performed using these members, for example, to tilt the package from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa.
[0005] However, the presence of handling members on the package body can lead to mechanical adjustment problems in case of a drop during its transportation. In fact, these handling members represent weaknesses that require mechanical reinforcement to meet safety requirements. As a result of this reinforcement, additional costs occur in terms of price and mass.
[0006] To address this problem, removable handling structures have been proposed, intended to be attached to the package body only for handling operations, and not during transport. For example, a solution of a removable ring with a handling trunnion is known, which is designed to be secured to the axial end of the package body using a number of screws. Another solution consists of providing separate elements, each equipped with a single handling trunnion, which are also assembled onto the package body with screws. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] Nevertheless, these structures still have room for improvement, both in terms of their robustness and the ease of assembly / disassembly within the package itself. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] To address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a package for transporting and / or storing radioactive material, the package comprising a lateral package body, a bottom, and a removable cover, the lateral package body extending about a central longitudinal axis of the package passing through the bottom and the cover, the lateral package body comprising a first axial end on the cover side, and a second axial end on the bottom side of the package, opposite to the first axial end, The assembly also includes a removable handling structure designed to be removably coupled at a first axial end of the lateral package body, the handling structure including a support device and at least two separate package handling members rigidly connected to the support device, the support device extending around the first axial end of the lateral package body in the coupling configuration between the handling structure and the package.
[0009] According to the present invention, the first axial end of the lateral package body includes one or more axial retaining elements of a handling structure that extend radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis, and each axial retaining element includes an axial stop surface oriented toward the second axial end of the lateral package body.
[0010] Furthermore, the removable handling structure includes at least one gripping device supported by a support device, each gripping device including an axial coupling member to a first axial end of the lateral package body.
[0011] Finally, in the coupling configuration of the handling structure, each axial coupling member is in contact with or axially facing one of the axial stop surfaces of the one or more axial holding elements provided at the first axial end of the lateral package body.
[0012] The present invention has proven particularly advantageous in that it is possible to provide a high degree of robustness in the mechanical connection between the removable handling structure and the first axial end of the lateral package body, while offering extremely easy and rapid assembly / disassembly.
[0013] The present invention can provide an implementation of one of the following optional features, which may be considered separately or in combination:
[0014] Preferably, the assembly is designed so that switching from a non-connected configuration of the handling structure to a connected configuration of the handling structure to the package is performed by moving the support device of the handling structure relative to the first axial end of the lateral package body. This makes it possible to assemble / disassemble the removable handling structure on the package more quickly and easily. More preferably, the assembly is designed so that relative movement is performed while both the support device and the first axial end of the lateral package body remain inscribed in the same virtual relative movement plane, which is positioned perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the package. Nevertheless, further types of relative movement between the removable handling structure and the lateral package body can be envisioned without departing the scope of the invention.
[0015] According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assembly is designed so that relative movement is performed by rotating the support device relative to the first axial end of the lateral package body along a relative rotation axis corresponding to the central longitudinal axis of the package. In this first embodiment, each of the axial coupling members preferably forms a plug-in or claw coupling mechanism together with its associated axial retaining element provided at the first axial end of the lateral package body. It is found that assembly is performed particularly quickly and easily.
[0016] Preferably, the support device includes a ring, and the gripping device is spaced apart along the ring. In this first solution, the ring is nevertheless only partial and does not have to extend 360°, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0017] Preferably, the gripping device also includes radial stop members that cooperate with the first axial end of the lateral package body. The cooperation between these elements enables radial coupling between the lateral package body and the removable handling structure.
[0018] According to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the removable handling structure is made from several angle structure sectors, each of which is, - A part of the support device, - At least one of the handling members, - At least one gripping device, Includes.
[0019] Preferably, the portion of the support device takes the form of an angle ring sector, and the at least one gripping device takes the form of a tab extending radially inward from the angle ring sector to form an axial coupling member, each tab extending preferably along the entirety of its associated angle ring sector so as to form a single axial coupling member inside each angle structural sector.
[0020] Preferably, in the combined configuration, the angular structure sectors are attached end to end to form a ring structure together, or the angular structure sectors are spaced apart to form only a portion of the ring structure.
[0021] Preferably, the one or more axial retaining elements provided at the first axial end of the lateral package body are formed by annular collars extending radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis. Nevertheless, other solutions, such as angled collar sectors spaced apart along the circumferential direction, are also possible without departing the scope of the present invention.
[0022] Preferably, each part of the support device forms a radial stop member that cooperates with the first axial end of the lateral package body. Here again, the cooperation between these elements enables a radial connection between the lateral package body and the removable handling structure.
[0023] In this second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assembly can be designed such that the movement of each angular structure sector with respect to the first axial end of the lateral package body is carried out by a translation of the angular structure sector with respect to the first axial end within the virtual relative movement plane arranged perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the package.
[0024] According to an alternative, during the movement of the angular structure sector with respect to the first axial end of the lateral package body to reach the coupling configuration, the angular structure sectors can preferably be - connected end-to-end by only some of their ends, - or via a structure for actuating the movement of the angular structure sectors, designed to be connected to each other in any of these ways.
[0025] According to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assembly is designed such that the switching of the handling structure from the uncoupled configuration to the coupled configuration to the package of the handling structure is carried out by moving each gripping device of the handling structure with respect to the support device of the structure. These movements can be, for example, rotational or translational.
[0026] Regardless of the assumed embodiment, preferably two to four handling members are provided, which preferably each take the form of a trunnion, a fork, or a lug, or any other handling member known to those skilled in the art.
[0027] Preferably, in order to fix the coupling, the assembly includes a device for locking the removable handling structure in the coupling configuration with the first axial end of the lateral package body.
[0028] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting detailed description.
[0029] This description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0030] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically represents an axial longitudinal section of a package for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials. [Figure 2] This figure shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of an assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes the package shown in the previous figure with its shock-absorbing cap removed, as well as a removable handling structure. [Figure 3] This shows a partial longitudinal section of the assembly shown in the previous figure, where the handling structure is combined with the package. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the assembly in which the removable handling structure and package are joined. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the assembly in the previous figure at a later stage during the joining of the removable handling structure. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the assembly in the previous figure at a later stage during the joining of the removable handling structure. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the tilting operation of an assembly from a horizontal position to a vertical position. [Figure 8] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of an assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes the package shown in Figure 1 with its shock-absorbing cap removed, as well as a removable handling structure. [Figure 9] This represents a perspective view similar to the previous one, showing the handling structure coupled with the package. [Figure 10] This also represents a partial longitudinal section of the assembly shown in the previous figure, where the handling structure is combined with the package. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view similar to Figure 8, in which the assembly is presented according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 12] This represents a perspective view similar to the previous one, showing the handling structure coupled with the package. [Figure 13] This is an exploded perspective view similar to Figure 12, showing the assembly positioned horizontally and presented according to a further alternative embodiment. [Figure 14] This shows the assembly depicted in the previous diagram, tilted from its horizontal position to its vertical position. [Figure 15] This shows a partially exploded perspective view of an assembly according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0031] Referring first to Figure 1, a package 1 for transporting and / or storing radioactive material is schematically represented. Package 1 is shown in a horizontal transport position, i.e., with its central longitudinal axis 2 oriented horizontally, i.e., parallel to the ground. This transport position is in contrast to a vertical storage and / or work position, in which its central longitudinal axis 2 is oriented vertically, i.e., perpendicular to the ground.
[0032] Conventionally, a package includes a package body 4 formed by a package bottom 5, a removable cover 6 located opposite the bottom 5 along the direction of the axis 2, and a lateral package body 8. It should be noted that the lateral body 8 extends parallel to the direction 9, which corresponds to the direction of the package's height when the package is in its storage position, with respect to the axis 2.
[0033] The bottom 5 and cover 6 axially demarcate the housing cavity 12 into which the radioactive material 14 is received. This cavity 12 is also radially demarcated by the lateral body 8.
[0034] The package body 4 is protected by one or two shock-absorbing caps 18. These caps 18 are not always essential in their presence and are designed to be easily assembled and removed. Generally, the caps 18 are removed during storage and / or during operational operations such as loading / unloading radioactive material from the package and assembled at both longitudinal ends of the package body 4 to be fitted to the package during transport. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, a shock-absorbing cap 18 is fitted to the first axial end 8a of the side body 8 located at the cover 6, covering this cover and this first end 8a in the axial and transverse directions. Similarly, an additional shock-absorbing cap 18 is fitted to the second axial end 8b located at the bottom 5, covering this bottom 5 and this second end 8b in the axial and transverse directions. To do this, each shock-absorbing cap 18 preferably has a recess 22 that receives at least a portion of the axial end 8a, 8b associated with it. In other words, the axial ends 8a and 8b of the lateral package body 8 fit into the corresponding recesses 22 of the shock-absorbing cap 18.
[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show an assembly 100 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 100 includes a package 1 without its removed shock-absorbing cap, as well as a removable handling structure 30 specific to the present invention. The handling structure 30 is designed to be removablely coupled onto the first axial end 8a to enable conventional handling operations of the package, such as its inclination from a horizontal to a vertical position and vice versa. Clearly, this handling structure 30 is very preferably implemented when the package 1 lacks permanent handling members on its lateral body 8.
[0036] The removable handling structure 30 first includes a support device 32 which includes a ring 34 extending 360° around axis 2. The support device 32 may also include lugs 36 extending axially from the ring 34, as well as reinforcing beams 38 interconnecting the lugs 36.
[0037] The handling structure 30 also includes several separate handling members, in this case trunnions 40 firmly connected to lugs 36 of the support device 32. Each trunnion 40 is conventionally arranged so that its central longitudinal axis is oriented radially. These trunnions 40 are represented here as four regularly distributed along the circumferential direction, but their number may differ, for example, there may be two opposite in the diametrical direction.
[0038] In the coupling configuration shown in Figure 3, the support device 32, more specifically its ring 34, extends around the first axial end 8a.
[0039] The removable handling structure 30 also includes several gripping devices 42 supported by a support device 32. More preferably, the gripping devices 42 are mounted on the outer circumference of the ring 34, while being spaced apart circumferentially along the ring 34, to which they are fastened, for example, using screws / bolts. There may be eight of these gripping devices 42, as shown in Figure 2. Nevertheless, this number may vary, for example, to four.
[0040] Each gripping device 42 takes on a substantially reclining U shape when the axis 2, which is the center of the handling structure 30, is oriented vertically. One arm 44 of the U functions as an axial support for the gripping device 42 on the ring 34. The other arm 46 of the U forms an axial coupling member with the first end 8a of the lateral package body 8, as will be described in detail below. Finally, the base 48 of the U, which is oriented vertically in Figure 2, forms a radial stop member that contacts or radially faces the first axial end 8a in the coupling configuration shown in Figure 3. The cooperation between these elements 8a, 48 enables a radial coupling between the lateral package body 8 and the removable handling structure 30, which is particularly useful during tilting operations of the package 1. Simultaneously, or otherwise, this radial coupling can be obtained between the annular end portion 50 of the axial end 8a and the inner circumference of the ring 34, as seen in Figure 3.
[0041] The first axial end 8a of the lateral package body 8 includes, as part of it, a plurality of axial holding elements 52 of the handling structure 30. Their number corresponds to the number of gripping devices, as they are intended to work in pairs. Each axial holding element 52 takes the form of a material block that extends radially outward around the first axial end 8a, i.e., projecting outward along the radial direction of the assembly 100 relative to the axis 2.
[0042] Each axial holding element 52 is defined in a reclining L shape by adjacent recesses 54 when the assembly 100 is oriented vertically. More specifically, each recess 54 includes a radial opening 56 that opens radially outward, and the radial opening 56 is continuous with a circumferential opening 58 that also opens radially outward. The combination of these two openings 56, 58 forms an L-shaped recess which is adapted to create a plug / claw connection with the axial coupling member 46 of the associated gripping device 42.
[0043] In the coupling configuration, the axial coupling member 46 faces or contacts an axial stopping surface 60 defined by the axial holding element 52, which is preferably perpendicular to the axis 2 and oriented toward the second axial end 8b of the lateral package body. The cooperation between these two elements 52, 60 provides an axial mechanical coupling between the handling structure 30 and the package 1 at its first axial end 8a on the cover side.
[0044] Regarding the mechanical coupling, Figures 4 to 6 show different sequential steps performed to attach a removable handling structure 30 to the first axial end 8a of the package positioned horizontally. In these figures, the number of handling trunnions 40 is reduced to two, while the number of gripping devices 42 is also reduced to four, as is the number of recesses 54 and the number of axial holding elements 52 defined by these recesses.
[0045] In Figure 4, the handling structure 30 is first transported coaxially in close proximity to the first axial end 8a, and each axial coupling member 46 is positioned facing axially towards the radial opening 56 of its associated recess 54, at a distance from the radial opening 56.
[0046] To position the handling structure 30 on the axial end 8a, the structure 30 is moved axially until each axial coupling member 46 is at the bottom of the radial opening 56 of its associated recess 54. The handling structure 30 is then placed in the positioning configuration on the package, but it is not coupled.
[0047] To switch from the uncoupled configuration in Figure 5 to the coupled configuration in Figure 6, the entire handling structure 30 is rotated relative to the package along axis 2 according to the limited size typically encountered in the insertion mechanism. This relative movement is performed while both the ring 34 and the first axial end 8a remain inscribed in the same virtual relative movement plane P, which is positioned perpendicular to axis 2, and this plane P therefore passes through the ring 34 and end 8a throughout the entire movement of the handling structure 30, resulting in the coupled configuration. During this movement, each axial coupling member 46 is gradually inserted into the circumferential opening 58 of its associated recess 54 until it faces or contacts the axial holding element 52 at the bottom of the opening 58, as seen in Figure 3. The radial opening 56 is therefore released by the gripping device 42, one or more of these may be equipped with a locking device (not shown) for the handling structure 30 in the coupled configuration. This could consist, for example, of a device attached to the radial opening 56 that forms a circumferential stop for the axial coupling member 46.
[0048] Once the axial mechanical coupling is performed, the push rods 62 can be connected to the trunnion 40, which in turn connect to a lifting beam suspended from a gantry crane, so as shown in Figure 7, that the structure 30 begins to tilt the package 1 to its vertical position. This tilt is then performed in a known manner by pivoting the assembly 100 along a horizontal rotation axis near or through the second axial end 8b of the lateral package body.
[0049] Referring to Figures 8 and 10, an assembly 100 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The assembly 100 includes package 1 without its removed shock-absorbing cap, as well as a removable handling structure 30 which is divided here into several angled structural sectors 30'. More specifically, these are two sectors 30', each about 180°, intended to be attached end-to-end in a joint configuration to form a complete annular structure together. Nevertheless, the number of sectors 30' can be further increased without departing the scope of the present invention.
[0050] Each angle structure sector 30' first includes a portion 32' of the support device 32, and in particular includes an angle ring sector 34'. Connecting the ends, the two angle ring sectors 34' extend over 360°, forming a ring 34 centered on axis 2. This feature is preferably retained in all embodiments incorporating angle ring sectors, regardless of the number of sectors.
[0051] A portion 32' of the support device 32 also includes one or more lugs 36 that extend axially from the ring sector 34'. Each angle structure sector 30' also includes one or more separate handling members, here trunnions 40, which are firmly connected to the lugs 36 and are provided in pairs per sector. Each trunnion 40 is, here again conventionally, oriented such that its central longitudinal axis is oriented radially. The number of trunnions 40 may vary, for example, two in total, opposite in the diametrical direction. As in the first embodiment, for handling operations, particularly for tilting package 1, the trunnions 40 are intended to work in cooperation with push rods 62, which are then connected to lifting beams 64 suspended from a gantry crane.
[0052] In the coupling configuration shown in Figures 9 and 10, each portion 32' of the support device 32, more specifically, each angle ring sector 34', extends around the first axial end 8a.
[0053] Each angle structure sector 30' also includes a gripping device supported by a portion 32' of a support device 32. This gripping device here takes the form of a tab 46 extending radially inward from the angle ring sector 34', forming an axial coupling member. The tab 46 preferably extends along the entirety of its associated angle ring sector 34' to form a single axial coupling member within each angle structure sector 30'. This feature is also preferably retained in all embodiments involving angle ring sectors.
[0054] Each angle structure sector 30' also includes another tab 66 extending radially inward parallel to the tab 46 from the angle ring sector 34'. The tab 66 also extends along the entirety of its associated angle ring sector 34', which corresponds to that of the two tabs 46,66 that are at the maximum axial distance from the second end of the lateral package body 8.
[0055] Through the cooperation of the angled ring sector 34' and the two tabs 46, 66, each gripping device takes on a substantially reclining U shape when the axis 2 is positioned vertically in a cross section considered to be outside the lug 36, with the hollow portion of the U oriented radially inward.
[0056] A single axial retaining element 52 is provided on the first axial end 8a, formed by an annular collar extending radially outward with respect to the axis 2. Below this collar 52, an annular groove 70 is defined at the first end 8a, intended to accommodate axial coupling tabs 46 in the coupling configuration of each structural sector 30'. This solution further enhances the mechanical retention of the handling structure on the package.
[0057] Therefore, the tab 66 of each structural sector 30' forms one of the arms of U that function as an axial support of this sector 30' on the collar 52 of the first axial end 8a. The tab 46, as part of it, forms the other arm of U and constitutes an axial coupling member that is housed in the groove 70, while in the coupling configuration it is positioned in contact with or facing axially the axial stop surface 60 defined by the collar 52.
[0058] Finally, the base of U formed by the vertically oriented angle ring sector 34' in Figures 8 to 10 constitutes a radial stop member in the coupling configuration that contacts or radially faces the collar 52, as seen in Figure 10. The cooperation between these elements 34' and 52 enables radial coupling between the lateral package body 8 and the angle structural sector 30', which is particularly useful during the tilting operation of package 1.
[0059] As described above, in the coupling configuration, the axial coupling tab 46 faces or is in contact with an axial stop surface 60 defined by the axial retaining collar 52, which is preferably perpendicular to axis 2 and oriented toward the second axial end of the lateral package body 8. The cooperation between these two elements 52, 60 provides an axial mechanical coupling between each angle handling structure sector 30' and the package 1 at its first axial end 8a on the cover side.
[0060] For mechanical coupling, each angle structural sector 30' is first positioned relative to package 1, as shown in Figure 8, so that it is radially separated from package 1 and oriented so that its U-shaped hollow portion faces the collar 52 radially. From this uncoupled configuration, each angle structural sector 30' is moved individually relative to the first axial end 8a by translation of the sector in a virtual relative movement plane P, which is also positioned perpendicular to axis 2. The direction of translation of the two sectors 30' is schematically represented by arrows 74 in Figure 8. This plane P therefore passes through each angle ring sector 34' and collar 52 throughout the entire movement of the structural sector 30'. During these movements, each axial coupling tab 46 is gradually inserted into groove 70 until it is positioned at the bottom of the groove, facing or in contact with the axial holding tab 52 in the axial direction, as seen in Figure 10.
[0061] The two sectors 30' are then assembled by connecting their ends with bolts 76, as shown in Figure 9. The connection performed at this time makes it possible to perform the required handling operations, as shown in the first preferred embodiment described above.
[0062] Figures 11 and 12 show alternatives to the second embodiment described above. Elements with the same reference numerals therefore correspond to identical or similar elements.
[0063] The only significant difference is that during the assembly of the angular ring sector 30' on the first axial end 8a, these two sectors 30' are hinged to each other at two adjacent ends, thus connecting end to end. The two other ends are left free so that the hinge structure 30 can be opened to insert the first axial end 8a between the two sectors 30'. This feature also applies when the number of sectors 30' is greater than two, in which case only two adjacent ends are left free so that the hinge structure can be opened.
[0064] Once this insertion is performed and the U-shaped opening is positioned radially in plane P facing the collar 52, a mechanical connection is made by pivoting the two sectors 30' relative to each other along their hinge axis 78, closing the structure 30 and bringing it toward the annular structure. Thus, each axial coupling tab 46 is gradually inserted into the groove 70 of the first end 8a until it is positioned at the bottom of the groove facing or in contact with the axial holding tab 52 in the axial direction. The two sectors 30' are then assembled at their two free ends by bolting the ends together.
[0065] Clearly, in this alternative, the two connected ends of the two angled structural sectors 30' can be connected by means other than hinges; however, the chosen connection must nevertheless allow for the opening and closing described above to ensure the assembly of the structural 30 around package 1.
[0066] Figures 13 and 14 further illustrate another alternative to the second embodiment. Elements with the same reference numerals thus correspond to the same or similar elements.
[0067] One of the major differences in this alternative is that the angular range of the two structural sectors 30' is considerably less than 180°. Therefore, the two sectors 30' are preferably spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction and opposite in the diametrical direction, so as to form only a partial annular structure. For example, each sector 30' can extend from 10° to 45°.
[0068] For the mechanical coupling of these angular structural sectors 30' on the axial end 8a of the lateral package body, a movable actuation structure 80 is provided to open and close a removable handling structure 30, thus composed of two sectors with reduced angular magnitude. The structure 80 for actinguating the movement of the sectors 30' can take any shape, for example, in the form of two actuation arms 84 arranged in an X shape and hinged at its center. In such a design, the two ends of the X are each connected to the two sectors 30' and preferably hinged to two handling trunnions 40. The other two ends of the X are connected, for example, on a lifting beam 64, while being connected to each other by a cylinder 82, which can adjust the distance between the other two ends of the X and thus adjust the radial distance between the two structural sectors 30' intended to engage with the collar 52.
[0069] The mechanical coupling of sectors 30' on the collar 52 at the end 8a of the lateral package body allows for the handling of the assembly 100 by moving these sectors in plane P in response to the control of the cylinder 82. Of these operations, the tilting of the assembly 100 is shown in Figure 14, during which the actuation arms 84 remain vertical by pivoting relative to the trunnions 40 to which they are hinged.
[0070] Figure 15 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which each U-shaped gripping device 42 is intended to cooperate with the same collar 52 on the first axial end 8a of the lateral package body 8. This third embodiment has many features in common with the first embodiment, in which the U-shaped gripping device 42 is pivotably mounted on a ring 34 (partially shown) of a support device 32 along a tangentially oriented pivot axis 86.
[0071] Therefore, when the ring 34 is resting on the collar 52, the switch from the uncoupled configuration of the handling structure 30 to the coupled configuration with the package 1 is performed by pivoting each gripping device 42 relative to the ring 34 along an axis 86 passing through a U-shaped arm opposite the arm forming the axial coupling member 46. When these pivoting movements are performed, each axial coupling member 46 comes into contact with or axially faces the annular axial stop surface 60 defined by the collar 52.
[0072] In this third embodiment shown in Figure 15, the handling member 40 takes the form of a fork that cooperates with the push rod 62. The number of gripping devices 42 can be, for example, between 4 and 10.
[0073] Of course, various modifications can be made to the invention as described, in non-limiting examples only, and in accordance with the scope defined by the appended claims, by those skilled in the art. In particular, different preferred embodiments can be combined with one another. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0074] 1 package 2. Central longitudinal axis 4. Package body 5 bottom 6 Covers 8 Side body 8a First axial end 8b Second axial end 9 directions 12 Cavity 14 Radioactive materials 18 caps 22 recess 30 Handling Structures 30' angle structure sector 32 Support device 32' Part of the support device 34 rings 34' Ring Sector 36 rugs 38 Reinforcement beams 40 Trunnion 42 Gripping device 44 One side of the arm 46 Axial coupling member 48 Base 50 End ring portion 52 Axial retention element 54 recess 56 Radial opening 58 Circumferential opening 60 Axial stop surface 62 Pushrods 64 Lifting Beam 66 tabs 70 groove 76 volts 78 Hinge axis 80 Mobile actuation structure 82 cylinders 84 Actuating Arm 86 axes 100 assemblies
Claims
1. An assembly (100) comprising a package (1) for transporting and / or storing radioactive material, wherein the package comprises a lateral package body (8), a bottom (5), and a removable cover (6), the lateral package body (8) extending about a central longitudinal axis (2) of the package passing through the bottom and the cover, the lateral package body comprising a first axial end (8a) on the cover side and a second axial end (8b) on the bottom side of the package opposite to the first axial end, The assembly also includes a removable handling structure (30) designed to be removably coupled at the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body, the handling structure (30) including a support device (32) and at least two separate package handling members (40) firmly connected to the support device (32), the support device extending around the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body in the coupling configuration of the handling structure (30) and the package (1) in the assembly (100), The first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body (8) includes one or more axial holding elements (52) of the handling structure (30) that extend radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis (2), and each axial holding element (52) includes an axial stopping surface (60) oriented toward the second axial end (8b) of the lateral package body. The removable handling structure (30) includes at least one gripping device (42) supported by the support device (32), each gripping device including an axial coupling member (46) to the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body, In the coupling configuration of the handling structure (30), each axial coupling member (46) is in contact with or faces in the axial direction of one of the axial stopping surfaces (60) of the one or more axial holding elements (52) provided at the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body. Each of the axial coupling members (46), together with its associated axial holding element (52) provided at the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body, forms a plug-in coupling mechanism. Each axial holding element (52) is characterized in that it is defined by adjacent recesses (54) at the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body, which are in a horizontal L shape when the assembly (100) is oriented vertically. Assembly (100).
2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching from a non-connected configuration of the handling structure (30) to the connected configuration of the handling structure (30) to the package (1) is performed by moving the support device (32) of the handling structure relative to the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body.
3. The assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that both the support device (32) and the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body are designed to remain inscribed in the same virtual relative movement plane (P) which is positioned perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (2) of the package, so that relative movement is performed.
4. The assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the relative movement is performed by rotating the support device (32) with respect to the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body along a relative rotation axis corresponding to the central longitudinal axis (2) of the package.
5. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support device (32) includes a ring (34), and the gripping device (42) is spaced apart along the ring (34).
6. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gripping device (42) also includes a radial stopping member (48) that cooperates with the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body.
7. The removable handling structure (30) is made from several angle structure sectors (30'), and each of the angle structure sectors (30') is, - A part (32') of the support device (32), - At least one of the package handling members (40), - At least one gripping device (42), The assembly according to claim 3, characterized by including
8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the portion (32') of the support device takes the form of an angular ring sector (34'), and the at least one gripping device (42) takes the form of a tab (46) extending radially inward from the angular ring sector (34') to form the axial coupling member, and each tab (46) extends preferably along the entirety of the associated angular ring sector (34') to form a single axial coupling member (46) inside each angular structural sector (30').
9. The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the coupling configuration, the angle structure sector (30') is attached by connecting its ends to form a ring structure together, or the angle structure sector (30') is spaced apart to form only a portion of the ring structure.
10. The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the one or more axial retaining elements (52) provided at the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body are formed by an annular collar extending radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis (2).
11. The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each portion (32') of the support device (32) forms a radial stop member that cooperates with the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body.
12. The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the movement of each angular structural sector (30') relative to the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body is designed to be performed by the translation of the angular structural sector (30') relative to the first axial end (8a) in the virtual relative movement plane (P) which is positioned perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (2) of the package.
13. During the movement of the angular structure sector (30') relative to the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body to reach the coupling configuration, the angular structure sector (30') preferably moves, - Connecting the ends at only some of those ends, - Or via a structure (80) for activating the movement of the angle structure sector (30'), The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it is designed to be connected to one another.
14. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching from the uncoupled configuration of the handling structure (30) to the coupled configuration of the handling structure (30) to the package (1) is performed by moving each gripping device (42) of the handling structure (30) relative to the support device (32) of the handling structure.
15. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7, 8, and 14, wherein two to four package handling members (40) are provided, and each package handling member (40) is in the form of a trunnion, a fork, or a lug.
16. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7, 8, and 14, characterized in that the coupling configuration with the first axial end (8a) of the lateral package body (8) includes a device for locking the removable handling structure (30).
17. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7, 8 and 14, characterized in that the gripping device (42) held by the support device (32) takes the form of a tab (46) extending radially inward.