Arc-Shaped Supporting Structure for Staggered Container Loading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current containerization transportation methods for nuclear fuel, such as uranium hexafluoride, face inefficiencies in space utilization and increased transportation costs due to limitations in traditional boxes and frame boxes, which restrict the number of steel bottle vessels that can be loaded and transported effectively.

Innovation Solution

A supporting structure for storage and transport containers comprising a base frame with first and second frame supports, featuring arc-shaped supporting plates and transverse beams of varying heights, allowing staggered positioning of containers to maximize loading capacity and reduce transportation costs, along with a method for securing and loading these containers using a forklift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional boxes are used for containerization transportation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is low and only three steel bottle vessels can be loaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of steel bottle vessels loadedVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is divided into multiple functional components including base frame, first frame support, second frame support, first supporting beams, second supporting beams, first arc-shaped supporting plates, and second arc-shaped supporting plates. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving higher loading capacity of six steel bottle vessels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with first and second frame supports positioned at different heights and locations. The arc-shaped supporting plates are arranged in specific orientations to create staggered positioning of containers, effectively utilizing vertical and horizontal dimensions to increase loading capacity from three to six vessels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If frame box is used to load six steel bottle vessels, then the loading capacity is improved, but the transportation cost increases more than three times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of steel bottle vessels loadedVSAvoidtransportation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is designed to be compatible with traditional box containers while achieving frame-box-level loading capacity. The structure can be universally applied to standard container types, allowing six steel bottle vessels to be loaded using conventional container infrastructure, thereby avoiding the specialized container requirements that cause cost increases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replicates the successful loading capacity of expensive frame boxes by creating a supporting structure that achieves the same six-vessel loading capability within traditional box containers, providing a cost-effective alternative that copies the functional outcome without the high cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Volume of stationary object

If traditional box configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the space utilization is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidsupporting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Arc-shaped supporting plates are used instead of flat plates to better conform to the cylindrical shape of steel bottle vessels. This curvature improves contact area and stability while optimizing the use of available space within the container, thereby increasing space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is pre-configured with specifically positioned beams and plates that are designed to optimally accommodate six steel bottle vessels. The first and second frame supports are pre-positioned at calculated heights and locations to maximize space utilization before loading occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2998238B1Supporting structure for storage and transportation containers and loading-transporting method therewith
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 NANTONG CIMC TANK EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP2998238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2998238B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2998238B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A supporting structure (10) and a loading-transporting method of a storage and transport container, and the supporting structure (10) comprises a base frame (13), a first frame support (11) and a second frame support (12) both disposed on the base frame (13). The first frame support (11) comprises at least two groups of first supporting beams (111) and first arc-shaped supporting plates (112) disposed on each group of first supporting beams (111). The groups of first supporting beams (111) are parallel and spaced with each other, and each group of first supporting beams (111) comprises at least two first transverse supporting beams (111a, 111b). Each first arc-shaped supporting plate (112) is connected to at least two first transverse supporting beams (111a, 111b) in the same group. The second frame support (12) comprises at least two groups of second supporting beams (121) and second arc-shaped supporting plates (122) disposed on each group of second supporting beams (121). The groups of second supporting beams (121) are parallel and spaced with each other, and each group of second supporting beams (121) comprises at least two second transverse supporting beams (121a) arranged in a transverse direction. Each second arc-shaped supporting plate (122) is connected to at least two second transverse supporting beams (121a) in the same group. The first frame support (11) is higher than the second frame support (12). The supporting structure (10) and the loading-transporting method of the storage and transport container reduce the transportation cost.