Storage devices for storing and / or transporting nuclear fuel assemblies, with a design that provides improved mechanical strength.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, comprising a crossing structure (11) comprising at least one first component (11a) and a second component (11b) spaced apart from each other and attached by a connecting device (24), the connecting device comprising: - a male coupling member (26) in the form of a protrusion carried by the first component (11a); - a female coupling member (28) on the second component (11b), the female member taking the form of a groove for receiving a male member and forming together with the male member a guideway connection, the guideway direction (30) of the guideway connection being parallel to said transverse plane (P) in which the transverse structure lies or being inscribed in the transverse plane (P) in which the transverse structure lies; The present invention relates to a storage device comprising:

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, preferably spent assemblies in which the fuel has been irradiated. [Background Art]

[0002] Such devices, also called storage "baskets" or "racks", comprise a plurality of adjacent housings capable of receiving nuclear fuel assemblies.

[0003] This storage device is intended to be accommodated in the cavity of a transport container. The transport container, the basket, and the fuel assemblies placed in the housings of the basket form a transported shipment.

[0004] The basket is designed so as to simultaneously fulfill the three essential functions briefly disclosed below.

[0005] The first is the function of heat transfer of the heat released by the fuel assemblies. Generally, one of aluminum or its alloys is used for its good thermal conductivity.

[0006] The second function relates to neutron absorption and concerns for maintaining the subcriticality of the transported shipment. This is achieved by using a neutron absorber material known as a neutron absorbing material, such as boron, in the basket.

[0007] Finally, the third essential function relates to the mechanical strength of the device. It is noted that the overall mechanical strength of the device must comply with regulatory safety requirements for the transport / storage of nuclear material, particularly with respect to the so-called "free drop" tests of the transported shipment in various directions.

[0008] From prior art, several methods for forming a basket are known. One of these methods involves providing transverse structures, such as wafers, that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the basket. In general, sleeves with a square cross-section oriented in the longitudinal direction pass through the transverse structures, each forming a housing for receiving the nuclear fuel assemblies.

[0009] Transverse structures, which have through-holes for sleeve passage, are typically constructed from a single component. In the case of regulatory lateral free-fall tests with a so-called oblique orientation (e.g., 45°), a transverse structure oriented parallel to the direction of fall is exposed to impact at the periphery of the corner shape, for example, by forming a 90° V-shape corresponding to the corner around the through-hole. The orientation for dropping the transport brings considerable strain to the periphery of the V-shape, and there is a high risk of deformation that will cause an undesirable widening of this V-shape. To avoid or limit this deformation, which is detrimental to transport certification, transverse structures can be reinforced by being over-reinforced and / or by integrating reinforcing elements.

[0010] In either case, this method to reduce the risk of deformation results in increased costs and an undesirable increase in the mass of the transverse structure. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to correct the above-mentioned drawbacks relating to embodiments of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] For this purpose, an object of the present invention is a storage device for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, the storage device including adjacent housings, each intended to receive nuclear fuel assemblies and intended to be housed in a cavity of a transport container for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage device comprises multiple transverse structures spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the storage device using spacing means such as spacers placed between the transverse structures, and each of these transverse structures is positioned in the transverse plane of the storage device and each has multiple through-openings for passing nuclear fuel assemblies.

[0014] According to the present invention, at least one, preferably a plurality, or even all of the transverse structures, comprises a first component and a second component that are attached to one another by a connecting device, the connecting device is - A male connecting member supported by the first component and taking the form of a protrusion, - A female connector provided in the second component, the female connector having the form of a groove for accommodating the male connector, and together with the male connector forming a guide path connection, wherein the direction of the guide path of the guide path connection is parallel to the transverse plane on which the transverse structure is located, or is inscribed in the transverse plane on which the transverse structure is located, and the female connector and It is equipped with.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention provides the fabrication of one or more transverse structures comprising at least two separate components that are no longer made from a single piece but are assembled together by the methods disclosed above. Thanks to the specific orientation of the guideway connection, the length of cooperation between the male and female connectors forming the connection can be advantageously increased in the plane of the transverse structure, which generally has a relatively small thickness, or parallel to such a plane. Advantageously, this results in strengthening the mechanical strength of the transverse structure in the event of a transported object falling, without affecting the mass of the transverse structure.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides, either alone or in combination, at least one of the following optional features.

[0017] Preferably, the groove forming the female member has a guide path axial contact portion at one of the two opposing longitudinal ends in the direction of the guide path, which cooperates with one of the two opposing longitudinal ends of the projection forming the male member.

[0018] Therefore, in the event of a transported object falling, the mechanical strength of the transverse structure is further enhanced by the support between the axial contact portion of the guide path and the corresponding longitudinal end of the male member. This support is obtained either by the structure itself or directly by using a small clearance during the fall.

[0019] Preferably, the axial contact portion of the guide path and the corresponding longitudinal end of the projection have a complementary relationship in the overlapping direction of the male and female connecting members, ensuring the retention of the longitudinal end of the projection in the groove, and the overlapping direction is perpendicular to the direction of the guide path and the opening surface of the groove. This arrangement results in a two-sided design of the guide path connection portion.

[0020] In the event of a transported object being dropped, the mechanical strength of the transverse structure is further enhanced by holding the longitudinal ends of the male members in grooves. The cooperation of the shapes is obtained directly by the structure or by using small clearances during the drop.

[0021] According to the first possibility, the guideway connection is a one-sided design in the overlapping direction of the male and female connecting members, and the male and female connecting members preferably have the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0022] According to a second preferred possibility, the guideway connector is a double-sided design in the overlapping direction of the male and female connector members, and the projection and groove are complementary in such a way that they prevent the projection from being pulled out of the groove through the opening in the groove in the overlapping direction of the male and female components.

[0023] Thanks to this bilateral design in the overlapping direction of the male and female components, the mechanical strength of the transverse structure is further enhanced in the event of a transport container being dropped, by holding the protrusions in the grooves.

[0024] Preferably, the projection has two opposite side surfaces that are complementary in shape to the two opposite side surfaces of the groove, whereby the projection and the groove cooperate with each other in the overlapping direction of the male and female members to prevent the projection from being pulled out of the groove through the opening of the groove.

[0025] Preferably, the projection has a cross-section in the shape of a dovetail, a T-shape, or the shape of all or part of a circular disc, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the guide path.

[0026] Preferably, the longitudinal end of the projection and the two opposite side surfaces of the projection have a continuous contour along the entire length of the U-shaped outline of the projection.

[0027] By way of example, when the dovetail shape is maintained, each of the two side surfaces is cut to exhibit the acute angle required to obtain such a dovetail shape, and this same acute angle is formed at the longitudinal end of the projection in order to ensure continuity with each of the two side surfaces of the projection of the same shape.

[0028] Advantageously, this results in facilitating manufacturing for this configuration of the guide path coupling with enhanced retention of the projection in the groove.

[0029] Preferably, the storage device comprises a member for locking the guide path coupling that holds the male member relative to the female member in the direction of the guide path, and the member for locking the guide path coupling is preferably a screw passing through the male and female members. Preferably, the screw only enables holding the two components in position relative to each other, and as a priority, since the male and female members of the guide path coupling bear the impact force, the screw will not be subjected to any distortion or very large distortion during an impact in a drop event.

[0030] Preferably, the first and second components are two peripheral components of the transverse structure, and preferably at least partially define at least one of the through openings of the transverse structure.

[0031] Preferably, the first or second component has a generally straight beam shape, with the longitudinal central axis of the beam parallel to or coinciding with the direction of the guide path.

[0032] Preferably, the transverse structure comprises a third component, the third component being positioned such that the second component is located between the first component and the third component to which the second component is connected using other connecting devices, - A male connecting member supported by a third component and taking the form of a protrusion, - A female connector provided in the second component, the female connector having the form of a groove for accommodating the male connector, and together with the male connector forming a guide path connection, wherein the direction of the guide path of the guide path connection is parallel to the transverse plane on which the transverse structure is located, or is inscribed in the transverse plane on which the transverse structure is located, and the female connector and It is equipped with.

[0033] Preferably, in the other connecting device, the groove forming the female member has a guide path axial contact portion at one of the two opposing longitudinal ends in the direction of the guide path, which cooperates with one of the two opposing longitudinal ends of the projection forming the male member. Furthermore, in the second component, the two guide path axial contact portions provided at each of the two guide path connecting portions are oriented to prevent movement of the first component relative to the second component in the direction of the third component, and also oriented to prevent movement of the third component relative to the second component in the direction of the first component.

[0034] Therefore, in a falling event in which the three components are oriented parallel to the direction in which they are successively positioned, the two guide path axial contact points result in the second component being placed in compression between the first and third components in order to obtain enhanced mechanical strength of the transverse structure, thereby obtaining a better guarantee of holding its components relative to each other.

[0035] Preferably, the transverse structure includes a ratio of less than 0.1 between the thickness of the transverse structure and the maximum width of the transverse structure in the transverse plane in which the transverse structure is inscribed.

[0036] Another object of the present invention is a transport container for storing and / or transporting nuclear fuel assemblies, a storage device such as the one described above which is housed in the cavity of the transport container, and nuclear fuel assemblies placed in the storage device.

[0037] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent in the following non-limiting detailed description.

[0038] This description will be given with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] Specifically, this is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transporter according to the present invention, which includes a storage device for storing and / or transporting nuclear fuel assemblies. [Figure 2] This is a partial perspective view of a storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a partial perspective view of the storage device shown in the previous diagram, with the top transverse structure removed. [Figure 3] Figures 2 and 2A are top views of the cross-sectional structure of the storage device. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage device shown in the previous figure. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a portion of the first component of the cross-sectional structure shown in the previous figure. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a portion of the second component of the cross-sectional structure shown in the previous figure. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the connecting device between the first and second components, where the second component is made in the form of a line for further clarity. [Figure 8]This is a perspective view of the connecting device between the first and second components, where the first component is made in the form of a line for further clarity. [Figure 9] Figures 7 and 8 show longitudinal cross-sectional views of the connecting device. [Figure 10] Figures 7 to 9 show cross-sectional views of the connecting device. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view similar to the cross-sectional view in Figure 9, in which the connecting device is shown in the form of an alternative embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a top view similar to the top view in Figure 3, showing only a portion of the cross-sectional structure of the storage device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] Figure 1 depicts a transport 100 comprising a transport container 200 for storing and / or transporting irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies 2. The transport container 200 has a body 202 formed by side panels 204, a bottom 206, and a removable lid 208. The bottom 206 and the lid 208 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal central axis 3 of the transport container, around which the side panels 204 extend.

[0041] The transport container 200 has a cavity 210 inside its body, which houses the storage device 1, referred to as the “basket” in the following description. Thus, the basket 1 completes the transport container 200 to form the transport 100, in which the nuclear fuel assemblies are loaded. In fact, as will be described in detail later, the basket 1 comprises several adjacent housings, each intended to receive one of the nuclear fuel assemblies 2. When the basket 1 is housed in the cavity 210 of the transport container 200 and the nuclear fuel assemblies 2 are placed in the adjacent housings of the basket 1, the transport 100 is known as the “loaded” configuration.

[0042] It is noted that, when using the instructions, the transport container may have shock-absorbing covers 212 that cover the lid 208 and bottom 206 of the main body 202 of the transport container at its axial end.

[0043] A particular feature of the present invention lies in the design of a basket 1 for transporting and / or storing irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, which will be described first with reference to Figures 2 and 2A.

[0044] Basket 1 comprises multiple adjacent housings 4, 4' arranged parallel to axis 3, and axis 3 also corresponds to the longitudinal central axis of basket 1.

[0045] The number of adjacent enclosures N is 4 in this case, but this number can, of course, be different.

[0046] Each of the two opposing housings 4 can accommodate at least one fuel assembly 2 having a square cross-section, preferably only one. As a result, each housing 4 has an inner housing defining surface 10 with a generally square or rectangular cross-section. The "inner housing defining surface 10" refers to the surface of the basket element that is positioned directly facing the outer surface of the fuel assembly 2.

[0047] Each of the two opposing housings 4' can accommodate at least one fuel assembly 2 with a circular cross-section, preferably just one. As a result, each housing 4' has an inner housing defining surface 10 with a generally circular cross-section. Here again, “inner housing defining surface 10” means the surface of the basket element that is positioned directly facing the outer surface of the fuel assembly 2'.

[0048] Therefore, the housings 4, 4' are provided in parallel with each other all around the perimeter of the basket. Each housing 4, 4' is made up of sleeves 9, 9' which are parallel to the axis 3 and preferably extend over the entire height of the basket 1 in the longitudinal direction 20 of the basket 1, or substantially over this entire height. Each sleeve 9, 9' has a square / rectangular or circular cross-section. For sleeves 9 with a square or rectangular cross-section, each sleeve 9 can be made using a plurality of flat rods assembled together, such as four flat rods assembled by crossings. The material used to manufacture the sleeves 9, 9' is selected to contribute to various functions, which are mechanical, thermal, and neutron absorption functions. For example, materials such as metal alloys containing boron or any other neutron-absorbing element may be held, i.e., neutron-absorbing elements. "Neutron-absorbing element" means an element with an effective cross-sectional area of ​​more than 100 burn for thermal neutrons. Using the example given, this relates to aluminum alloys containing boron.

[0049] To complete the design of basket 1, basket 1 comprises a plurality of transverse structures 11 spaced apart from each other in direction 20. Each transverse structure 11 is a flat or substantially flat structure positioned in the transverse plane P of basket 1, that is, positioned perpendicular to axis 3. The transverse structures 11 are preferably identical or substantially identical, and preferably have small thicknesses such that the ratio between the thickness "E" of the transverse structure and the maximum width "L" of the transverse structure in the transverse plane P in which the transverse structure 11 is inscribed is less than 0.1.

[0050] In the rough shape of the disc or wafer, each of these structures 11 has four through-openings 13, 13' for receiving four sleeves 9, 9', respectively. In other words, the sleeves 9, 9' pass through each of the openings 13, 13' in the wafer 11 of the basket 1 in a continuous manner. The same is true for the assemblies 2, 2', which pass through these openings 13, 13' in a continuous manner by being housed inside the sleeves 9, 9'. The shape of the openings 13, 13' is also complementary to the shape of the sleeves through which they pass. As a result, the through-openings 13 generally have a square or rectangular cross-section, and the through-openings 13' generally have a circular cross-section.

[0051] Wafer 11 is made from a metal alloy such as steel or aluminum alloy. However, regardless of the selected material, the material is preferably free of boron or any other neutron-absorbing element in the sense disclosed herein.

[0052] The number of wafers 11 is, for example, between 5 and 20, but a different number may be used, in this case approximately 4 m, depending particularly on the height of basket 1.

[0053] These wafers 11 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction using spacing means, which are spacers 16, and several of the spacing means are positioned between each pair of wafers 11 in direct continuity in overlap in direction 20. For example, three to six spacers 16 are provided on each spacing stage between wafers 11, and the spacers on the same stage preferably all have the same height in direction 20. The spacers 16 are preferably made of steel, but other materials may be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] The structure of basket 1 is completed by tie rods 17 that compress and hold the wafer 11 and spacer 16 relative to each other in direction 20. Thus, the mechanical holding of the overlap is ensured by the tie rods 17 passing through the wafer 11 and as much as possible by the spacer 16 by providing the spacer 16 with a hollow design. The number of tie rods 17 can be the same as the number of spacer 16 provided in each spacing stage of the wafer, for example, four spacer / tie rods in the embodiments depicted in Figures 2 and 2A. Tie rods 17 of known designs are preferably parallel to axis 3, or substantially parallel to axis 3.

[0055] One of the particular features of the present invention lies in the design of the transverse wafer 11, where one of the transverse wafers 11 is described with reference to Figures 3 to 10.

[0056] The wafer 11 is made using a plurality of components that are attached to one another, and all of these components are inscribed in the transverse plane P associated with the wafer. In the preferred embodiment described, there are four peripheral components assembled from end to end, and are therefore arranged sequentially in the circumferential direction 22 of the basket 1.

[0057] Firstly, this embodiment relates to a first peripheral component 11a that is generally trapezoidal or semi-circular, through which one of two openings 13' of a circular area is created. A second peripheral component 11b is provided that is generally straight, or as semi-circular as possible, with its semicircular portion being less conspicuous. A third peripheral component 11c that is generally trapezoidal is provided identically or substantially identically to the first component 11a by being positioned opposite and symmetrically to the first component 11a. The other of the two openings 13' of the circular cross-section passes through the third peripheral component 11c. Finally, a fourth peripheral component 11d that is generally straight, or as semi-circular as possible, is provided identically or substantially identically to the second component 11b by being positioned opposite and symmetrically to the second component 11b. Finally, the fifth central component 11e connects the first component 11a and the third component 11c by being positioned parallel to the second component 11b and the fourth component 11d.

[0058] The larger transverse extension components 11a and 11c are intended to work in cooperation with the basket's tie rods and spacers.

[0059] One side of the opening 13 in the square / rectangular cross-section is defined by a portion of the first component 11a, the second component 11b, a portion of the third component 11c, and the face of the fifth component 11e. Similarly, the other side of the opening 13 in the square / rectangular cross-section is defined by the other portion of the first component 11a, the fourth component 11d, the other portion of the third component 11c, and the opposite face of the fifth component 11e.

[0060] Next, the attachment between the first component 11a and the second component 11b, which is unique to the present invention, will be described, and the principle therefor is preferably applied in the same or similar manner to the three other attachments between peripheral components 11a to 11d.

[0061] Therefore, referring still to Figures 3 to 10, the connecting device 24 is implemented between the first component 11a and the second component 11b.

[0062] First, the connecting device 24 is supported by a first component 11a, which includes a male coupling member 26 integral with the first component 11a and preferably made from a single component with the first component 11a. The male coupling member 26 takes the form of a projection at one end of the first component 11a. The connecting device 24 also includes a female coupling member 28 provided on the second component, which takes the form of a groove that accommodates the male coupling member 26, and together with the male coupling member 26 forms a guide path connecting portion, the direction 30 of the guide path connecting portion being parallel to or inscribed in the transverse plane P on which the transverse structure 11 is located. The direction 30 of the guide path coincides with or is parallel to the longitudinal central axis 32 of the second component 11b, which is also inscribed in the plane P.

[0063] Thanks to the orientation of this guide channel connection, the cooperation between the male member 26 and the female member 28 can be advantageously extended over an extended length in the plane P of the wafer 11, or parallel to this same plane, which enhances the mechanical strength of the wafer 11 in the event of a dropped transport. Specifically, this cooperation length L1, as referenced in Figure 8, is significantly larger than the thickness E of the components 11a and 11b, which corresponds to the thickness of the wafer 11.

[0064] Preferably, the connecting device 24 includes a member 34 for locking the guide path connecting portion, the purpose of which is to hold the male member 26 relative to the female member 28 in the direction of the guide path 30. Thus, the locking member 34 is mounted to prevent the two members from disengaging, particularly during the assembly of the basket, and preferably so as not to be subjected to arbitrary or very large strain in the event of a fall, and the bearing of force is carried out, as a preference, using members 26 and 28. Preferably, the member 34 for locking the guide path connecting portion is a screw passing through the male member 26 and the female member 28, preferably perpendicular to the direction of the guide path 30 and parallel to or inscribed in the plane P.

[0065] The groove 28 forming the female member has a first longitudinal end 28a and an opposite second longitudinal end 28b in the direction of the guide path 30. The first end 28a, corresponding to the outermost end of the basket and wafer and furthest from the axis 3, is open for insertion of a projection 26. Similarly, this projection 26 has a first longitudinal end 26a and a second opposite longitudinal end 26b in the direction of the guide path 30. Insertion of this projection 26 into the groove 28 is provided by inserting the second end 26b into the groove before the first end 26a. Meanwhile, to further enhance the mechanical strength of the guide path connection in a drop event, the second end 28b of the groove 28 is sealed by a guide path axial contact portion 36 that cooperates with the second end 26b of the projection 26. Contact or very small clearance between the two is provided in the direction of the guide path 30 and is intended to be quickly used in a drop event to obtain support that enhances the mechanical strength of the wafer 11.

[0066] The guide path axial contact portion 36 and the associated longitudinal end 26b of the projection 26 have a complementarity in which, in the overlapping direction of the male coupling member 26 and the female coupling member 28, the longitudinal end 26b is retained in the groove 28. This overlapping direction, referenced by reference numeral 38 in Figures 7 to 10, is perpendicular to the direction of the guide path 30 and also perpendicular to the opening surface of the groove. The complementarity in which the retention of the two elements 26b and 36 is retained can be created by a simple notch in the end 26b in cooperation with a complementary notch in the guide path axial contact portion 36. Here again, this retention improves the mechanical strength of the wafer in the event of a fall.

[0067] The guide path connection may be designed on one side in the overlapping direction 38, for example, by complementary parallelepiped projections 26 and grooves 28, but the guide path connection is preferably designed on both sides in the overlapping direction 38 for the purpose of further enhancing the mechanical strength of the wafer 11. For this purpose, the projections 26 and grooves 28 have a complementarity in the overlapping direction 38 that prevents the projections from being pulled out of the grooves through the openings. This complementarity is preferably created on two opposing sides 42 of the groove 28, which cooperate with two opposing sides 40 of the projection 26 to prevent the projections from being pulled out.

[0068] Preferably, notches are provided on each of the two opposing sides 40 of the projection 26, and these notches are identical or similar to the notches created at the second end 26b of the projection 26. Thus, the projection 26 has a dovetail cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction 30 of the guide path, such as the plane of the cross-section in Figure 9. Alternatively, other cross-sections are possible that can ensure retention, such as a T-shape or the shape of all or part of a disc.

[0069] In this method, the second end 26b of the projection and its two opposing sides 40 have a continuous shape along the entire length of the U-shaped contour of the projection 26, as can be better seen in Figures 5, 7, and 8. For example, when the dovetail shape is selected as shown in these figures, each of the two sides 40 is cut to show the acute angle required to obtain such a dovetail shape, and this same acute angle is made at the longitudinal end 26b of the projection to ensure continuity with each of the two sides 40 of the same shape. To enable this continuity, the end 26b may have a radius of the coupler or may be rounded by itself as depicted in the figures. Such embodiments with a continuous shape located around the U-shaped contour of the groove formed by the sides 42 and the contact portion 36 facilitate the manufacture of the two components 11a, 11b.

[0070] Although the projection 26 is depicted as being integrated with the first component 11a and the groove 28 as being integrated with the second component 11b, it should be noted that the reverse design may be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, Figure 11 represents an alternative embodiment in which the projection 26 forming the male member of the guideway connector is no longer made in the same piece as the first component 11a. In fact, this male member 26 is integrated with a separate mechanical connector 46 that integrates with another projection 26' cooperating with the groove 28' provided in the first component 11a, and is therefore supported differently by the first component. In this method, the cooperation between the projection 26' and the groove 28' is identical or similar to the cooperation between the projection 26 and the groove 28, and thus forms two guideway connectors in parallel directions. In this alternative, the locking screw 34 passes through the second component 11b, then through the two projections 26, 26' of the mechanical connecting component 46, and then is screwed into the first component 11a.

[0071] In the transverse structure 11, the second component 11b is positioned between the first component 11a and the third component 11c, and the third component 11c is actually attached to the opposite end of the second component 11b using another connecting device 24A that is identical or similar to the connecting device 24 between the first component 11a and the second component 11b. This other connecting device 24A, which is not described in detail due to its identity / similarity with device 24, is depicted in Figure 12.

[0072] Therefore, this other connecting device 24A specifically comprises a male connecting member 26A in the form of a projection, supported by a third component 11c, and a female connecting member 28A in the form of a groove provided in the second component 11b. Here again, the two members 26A and 28A form a guide path connecting portion in which the direction of the guide path 30A is parallel to or inscribed in the transverse plane P, and is also parallel to or coincides with the direction of the guide path 30 of the other guide connecting portion.

[0073] In this other connecting device 24A, the groove 28A has a guide path axial contact portion 36A that cooperates with one of the two opposing longitudinal ends 26bA of the projection 26A at one of the two opposing longitudinal ends 28bA of the groove 28bA in the direction 30A of the guide path. Furthermore, in the second component 11b, the two guide path axial contact portions 36, 36A are oriented to prevent movement of the first component 11a relative to the second component 11b in the direction of the third component 11c, and also oriented to prevent movement of the third component 11c relative to the second component 11b in the direction of the first component 11a.

[0074] As a result, in the event of a horizontally oriented basket falling in a falling direction 48 (as in Figure 12) oriented parallel to the direction in which the three components 11a, 11b, and 11c are successively arranged, the two guide path axial contact portions 36, 36A will place the second component 11b under compression between the first component 11a and the third component 11c under the opposing action of the two protruding ends 26b, 26bA. This contributes to obtaining enhanced mechanical strength for the wafer 11 and therefore to obtaining a better guarantee of holding the components of the wafer 11 together in the event of a transported object falling.

[0075] Regardless of the direction of the fall and the orientation of the transported object, such as an axial fall, a lateral fall along a vertical axis, or a lateral fall along an oblique axis (e.g., 45°), the coupling devices 24, 24A allow the benefit of increased mechanical strength at the moment of impact. These same coupling devices 24, 24A are more preferably implemented in the same or similar manner between the first component 11a and the fourth component 11d, and between the second component 11c and the fourth component 11d, respectively.

[0076] Naturally, various improvements may be made to the storage device 1, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and described merely as non-limiting examples by those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1. Storage device, basket 2, 2' Nuclear fuel assembly 3. Longitudinal central axis 4, 4' cabinet 9, 9' sleeve 10 Inner housing definition surface 11 Cross-sectional structure, wafer 11a First peripheral component 11b Second peripheral component 11c Third peripheral component 11d Fourth peripheral component 11e The fifth central component 13, 13' Through opening 16 Spacers 17 Tie Rod 20 Longitudinal direction 22 Surrounding direction 24, 24A Linking Device 26, 26', 26A Male connector, male member, projection 26a First longitudinal end 26b, 26bA Second longitudinal end 28, 28', 28A Female connector, female member, groove 28a, 28aA First longitudinal end 28b, 28bA Second longitudinal end Directions for the guide paths 30 and 30A 32 Longitudinal central axis 34 Members and locking screws for securing the guideway connection. 36, 36A Guide path axial contact portion 38 Overlap direction 40 Side view of projection 26 42 Side of groove 28 46 Mechanical connection components 48 Direction of fall 100 Transported items 200 transport containers 202 Main Unit 204 Lateral body 206 Bottom 208 Lid 210 Cavity E. Thickness of the transverse structure L-shaped transverse structure maximum width L1 Collaborative Length P transverse plane

Claims

1. A storage device (1) for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies (2, 2'), the storage device is intended to be housed in a cavity (210) of a transport container (200) for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, and includes adjacent housings (4, 4') each intended to receive nuclear fuel assemblies (2, 2'), The storage device comprises a plurality of transverse structures (11) spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (20) of the storage device using spacing means (16), each of the transverse structures (11) is arranged in the transverse plane (P) of the storage device and each has a plurality of through-openings (13, 13') for passing nuclear fuel assemblies, in the storage device (1), At least one of the transverse structures (11) comprises a first component (11a) and a second component (11b) that are attached to each other by a connecting device (24), and the connecting device is Supported by the first component (11a), the male connecting member (26) has the shape of a projection, A female coupling member (28) provided on the second component (11b), wherein the female coupling member takes the form of a groove that accommodates the male coupling member, and together with the male coupling member forms a guide path connecting portion, and the direction (30) of the guide path of the guide path connecting portion is parallel to the transverse plane (P) on which the transverse structure is located, or is inscribed in the transverse plane (P) on which the transverse structure is located, and the female coupling member (28) and A storage device (1) characterized by comprising the following:

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove (28) forming the female coupling member has a guide path axial contact portion (36) that cooperates with one of the two opposing longitudinal ends (26b) of the projection (26) forming the male coupling member at one of the two opposing longitudinal ends (28b) in the direction (30) of the guide path.

3. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the guide path axial contact portion (36) and the corresponding longitudinal end (26b) of the projection have a complementary relationship in which, in the overlapping direction (38) of the male and female connecting members (26, 28), the longitudinal end (26b) of the projection is held in the groove (28), and the overlapping direction is perpendicular to the direction of the guide path (30) and the opening surface of the groove.

4. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide path connecting portion is designed on one side in the overlapping direction (38) of the male and female connecting members (26, 28).

5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the guide path connecting portion is designed on both sides in the overlapping direction (38) of the male and female connecting members (26, 28), and the projection and the groove have a complementary relationship in the overlapping direction (38) of the male and female connecting members such that the projection (26) is pulled out of the groove (28) through the opening of the groove (28).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the projection has two opposing sides (40) that are complementary in shape to the two opposing sides (42) of the groove, and thereby the projection and the groove cooperate to prevent the projection (26) from being pulled out of the groove (28) through the opening of the groove (28) in the overlapping direction (38) of the male and female members.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the projection (26) has a cross-section in the shape of a dovetail joint, a T-shape, or all or part of a disc in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the guide path.

8. The device according to claim 6, referencing claim 3, characterized in that the longitudinal end (26b) of the projection (26) and the two opposing side surfaces (40) of the projection (26) have a continuous outer shape along the entire length of the U-shaped contour of the projection (26).

9. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a member (34) for locking the guide path connecting portion, which holds the male connecting member (26) relative to the female connecting member (28) in the direction of the guide path (30).

10. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second components (11a, 11b) are two peripheral components of the transverse structure (11).

11. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first or second component (11a, 11b) generally has the shape of a straight beam, and the longitudinal central axis (32) of the beam is parallel to or coincides with the direction (30) of the guide path.

12. The transverse structure (11) comprises a third component (11c), the third component (11c) being positioned such that the second component (11b) is located between the first component (11a) and the third component (11c) to which the second component (11b) is connected using another connecting device (24A), the other connecting device is Supported by the third component (11c), another male connecting member (26A) having the form of a projection, Another female connector (28A) provided on the second component (11b), the other female connector (28A) takes the form of a groove that accommodates the other male connector, and together with the other male connector (28A) forms another guide path connecting portion, and the direction of the guide path (30A) of the other guide path connecting portion is parallel to the transverse plane (P) on which the transverse structure is located, or is inscribed in the transverse plane (P) on which the transverse structure is located, and the other female connector (28A) The storage device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising:

13. In the other connecting device (24A), the groove (28A) forming the other female connecting member has, at one of the two opposing longitudinal ends (28bA) in the direction of the guide path (30A), a contact portion (36A) in the axial direction of the other guide path that cooperates with one of the two opposing longitudinal ends (26bA) of the projection (26A) forming the other male connecting member, and in the second component (11b), the guide path connecting portion and the other guide path connecting portion are respectively provided The storage device according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide path axial contact portion (36) and the other guide path axial contact portion (36A) are oriented to prevent movement of the first component (11a) relative to the second component (11b) in the direction of the third component (11c), and also oriented to prevent movement of the third component (11c) relative to the second component (11b) in the direction of the first component (11a).

14. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse structure (11) includes a ratio of less than 0.1 between the thickness (E) of the transverse structure (11) and the maximum width (L) of the transverse structure (11) in the transverse plane (P) in which the transverse structure (11) is inscribed.

15. A transport (100) comprising a transport container (200) for storing and / or transporting nuclear fuel assemblies, a storage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, housed in a cavity (210) of the transport container, and nuclear fuel assemblies placed in the storage device.

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