Cask Transport Device with Pivotable Wheel Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of spent nuclear fuel casks is challenging due to seismic events and single failures in transport systems, which can lead to tipping, falling, or damage during transport, requiring a system that can handle these events with precision and safety.
Innovation Solution
A cask transport system with a support assembly, tower, upper beam assembly, and bottom block assembly, featuring wheels, hydraulic cylinders, pulley systems, and winch drums, allowing for adjustable vertical positions and secure lifting and lowering of casks, and a low-profile transport device with pivotable wheel struts for navigating obstacles without tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid fixed-position transport system is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to seismic events or single failures, leading to potential tipping, falling, or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tower frame and bottom block assembly movable relative to each other through pulley systems and winch drums, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration during transport. This dynamic capability enables the system to respond to seismic events and single failures by adjusting positions and maintaining stability, rather than being fixed in a rigid configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system is divided into separate functional modules: a support assembly with wheels, a tower with base portion and tower frame, an upper beam assembly, and a bottom block assembly. These segmented components can move independently relative to each other, allowing the system to adapt to various transport conditions and recover from single failures without compromising the entire system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustable system with multiple movable components is implemented, then adaptability to seismic events and single failures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower frame and bottom block assembly serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable vertical adjustment through pulley systems, allow horizontal positioning via winch drums, and provide stabilization during transport. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, managing complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley systems and winch drums act as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between the movable tower frame/bottom block assembly and the fixed support assembly. These intermediaries enable controlled movement and position adjustment without requiring direct complex actuation mechanisms at every moving interface, simplifying the overall control system.
3Measurement precision
If the tower frame and bottom block assembly are made movable relative to each other, then precise positioning and stable lifting are achieved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position of the tower frame and bottom block assembly, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables precise control of the movable components by continuously monitoring their positions and making real-time adjustments through the pulley systems and winch drums, achieving accurate vertical positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical control systems with an integrated system that includes sensors and electronic control. This substitution enables more precise and reliable control of the tower frame and bottom block assembly movements compared to traditional mechanical linkages alone, improving positioning precision while managing control complexity through electronic automation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures safe and precise handling of spent nuclear fuel casks during transport, mitigating risks from seismic events and single failures, while enabling efficient movement and storage by maintaining stability and control throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
The upper beam assembly includes a plurality of pulley systems. The bottom block assembly is coupled to the upper beam assembly, the bottom block assembly movable relative to the upper beam assembly via the pulley systems
Implementation Method 2
The upper beam assembly includes a winch drum. The bottom block assembly is coupled to the upper beam assembly, the bottom block assembly movable from a first vertical position relative to the upper beam assembly to a second vertical position relative to the upper beam assembly
Implementation Method 3
The tower includes a base portion and a tower frame coupled to the base portion, the tower frame movable relative to the base portion
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile transport device includes a frame having a top surface and a recess disposed along the top surface to hold and transport an object. The low profile transport device also includes a plurality of wheels disposed below the frame that support the frame, and a plurality of pivotable wheel struts coupled to the wheels. The wheel struts are each individually adjustable relative to the frame from a first position relative to the frame to a second position relative to the frame to allow the low profile transport device to climb an obstacle without tilting the frame. The low profile transport device also includes a motor that generates movement of the wheels.