Integrated Gripper for Radioactive Drum Loading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for loading radioactive waste drums into drum containers are time-consuming and pose risks of drum drop accidents and radiation exposure due to the need for separate lid handling apparatuses and manual intervention, which increases handling time and exposure risks.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method featuring a gripper with radially installed arms, hydraulic units, jaws, and latches that can selectively grip and transfer both drums and drum container lids, integrated with a crane and lifter system, allowing for simultaneous handling and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate lid handling apparatus is installed, then the lid can be handled separately, but the loading time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid handling capabilityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the drum gripping function and lid handling function into a single integrated gripper apparatus. The gripper includes both drum gripping jaws and lid latches, allowing one apparatus to perform both functions that previously required separate equipment, thereby reducing loading time while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripper is designed as a universal apparatus that can handle both drums and lid components. It features multiple functional elements including drum gripping jaws, lid latches, and positioning mechanisms, enabling a single device to perform multiple operations in the drum loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the drum gripper is separated from the crane hook for lid handling, then lid transfer is enabled, but the risk of drum drop accidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid transfer capabilityVSAvoiddrum drop accident risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines drum gripping and lid handling functions in a single integrated gripper that remains attached to the crane hook throughout operations. This eliminates the need to separate the gripper from the hook for lid handling, thereby maintaining continuous secure attachment and reducing drum drop accident risks while enabling lid transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If workers manually remove eye bolts and wire ropes from the drum container lid, then the lid can be detached, but radiation exposure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid detachment capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the integrated gripper automatically handles the lid detachment process through its built-in latches and positioning mechanisms. The system performs the lid removal operation autonomously without requiring worker intervention, thereby eliminating radiation exposure risks associated with manual handling while maintaining the capability to detach the lid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If the drum gripper grips the drum by the upper end, then the drum can be held securely, but the risk of separation due to external shock or defect increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrum gripping securityVSAvoiddrum separation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing specialized gripping structures at different locations on the drum. The gripper includes jaws designed to grip the drum body securely while also incorporating latches that can engage with the drum lid, distributing the gripping force across multiple points and locations to enhance security and reduce separation risk from external shocks or defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution significantly reduces loading time, minimizes the risk of drum drop accidents, and decreases radiation exposure by enabling safer and more efficient handling of radioactive waste drums, allowing for sequential loading and secure lid placement without separate lid handling apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

an arm hydraulic unit reciprocating the gripper arms in a radial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic reciprocating: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS8261514B2Apparatus and method for loading drums into drum container

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and method for loading drums into a drum container, in which a function of gripping a lid of the drum container is added to a gripper used when a drum filled with radioactive waste is loaded into the drum container, thereby considerably reducing loading time of the drums, risk of dropping the drum, and preventing a radiation exposure risk. The apparatus includes a drum feeder transferring a drum, a drum container into which the drums transferred through the drum feeder are sequentially loaded, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane having a gripper that selectively grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid. The gripper includes radial gripper arms, an arm hydraulic unit reciprocating the gripper arms, jaws on inner sides of the gripper arms and gripping an outer surface of the drum, and latches for latching the drum container lid.