Radially Expandable Stabilizer for Remote Stack Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structures contaminated with radiological and chemical materials pose challenges for remote sampling due to difficult access, especially in tall off-gas ventilation stacks with unknown structural integrity, requiring innovative solutions for safe and effective data collection.
Innovation Solution
A remote access apparatus with radially expandable stabilizing members and moveable instruments, such as core samplers and radiation detectors, that can be lowered into structures, expand to engage surfaces, and collect samples while maintaining stability and safety, allowing for characterization and analysis without direct human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers are placed in full personal protective equipment into contaminated stacks to collect characterization data, then sampling can be performed, but worker safety is compromised and structural integrity risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a remote sampling apparatus as an intermediary device that can be lowered into the stack through the roof opening. This apparatus includes stabilizing members that engage with the stack interior surface and a moveable member that positions the sampling instrument adjacent to the stack wall, allowing workers to collect characterization data from a safe distance without direct exposure to contaminated environments.
2Reliability
If a remote sampling apparatus is lowered into the stack, then worker safety is improved, but the apparatus requires stable positioning against the stack interior which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing members are designed to be radially expandable, transitioning from a retracted configuration during lowering to an expanded configuration that engages with the stack interior surface. This dynamic adjustment allows the apparatus to adapt to the cylindrical geometry of the stack and achieve stable positioning without compromising the ability to be lowered and raised efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus is made compact for easy deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to stabilize against the stack interior is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing members are configured to nest within or alongside the moveable member and support structure when not in use, allowing the entire apparatus to maintain a compact profile during deployment and retrieval. When stabilization is required, the members can be extended or deployed outward to engage with the stack interior surface, providing stability without permanently increasing the apparatus size.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for obtaining samples from a structure includes a support member, at least one stabilizing member, and at least one moveable member. The stabilizing member has a first portion coupled to the support member and a second portion configured to engage with the structure to restrict relative movement between the support member and the structure. The stabilizing member is radially expandable from a first configuration where the second portion does not engage with a surface of the structure to a second configuration where the second portion engages with the surface of the structure.