Mobile Heat Conduction Structure for Nuclear Material Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage and transport containers for nuclear materials face challenges in heat conduction, leading to potential temperature exceedance and mechanical degradation, due to wide manufacturing tolerances that create a heat insulating gap between the basket and the package, compromising safety and integrity.

Innovation Solution

A mobile heat conduction structure that deploys from a retracted to a deployed position, increasing contact surface area between the storage basket and the package, thereby enhancing heat transfer without requiring narrow manufacturing tolerances, and reducing the initial play between the basket and the package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wide manufacturing tolerances are used for the package cavity, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the play between the basket and package increases creating heat insulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidheat conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the heat conduction structure mobile rather than fixed. The structure can be displaced from a retracted position to a deployed position, allowing it to adapt to the play created by wide manufacturing tolerances. When deployed, the mobile heat conduction structure makes contact with the package cavity to establish thermal pathways, resolving the heat insulation problem without requiring narrow tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If operating play is provided between the package cavity and storage basket, then loading and unloading operations are facilitated, but heat conduction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and unloading operationsVSAvoidheat conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile heat conduction structure is designed to be displaced only after the basket is loaded into the package. The structure transitions from a retracted position (allowing easy loading/unloading) to a deployed position (establishing heat conduction). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing operating play during handling while establishing thermal contact during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first allowing the basket to be loaded into the package with operating play, then subsequently deploying the mobile heat conduction structure to establish thermal contact. The heat conduction is prepared in advance for the storage and transport phases, ensuring both ease of operation and effective heat management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the play between basket and package is increased, then loading operations are easier, but the heat insulating effect increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading operationsVSAvoidheat evacuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile heat conduction structure dynamically adjusts to compensate for the increased play. After loading operations are completed with the basket positioned in the package, the heat conduction structure is deployed to bridge the gap, making contact with both the basket and package cavity. This ensures reliable heat evacuation despite the larger operating play required for easy loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively manages heat transfer, preventing temperature exceedance, reducing mechanical degradation risks, and extending the lifespan of the storage basket, while ensuring mechanical integrity during transport and storage, including free-fall tests.

Implementation Method 1

mobile heat conduction structure forming at least one portion of a side outer surface of said storage space device, said mobile heat conduction structure comprising at least one mobile heat conduction member mounted on said main structure so as to be displaceable reversibly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9200839B2Container for the transport and/or storage of nuclear materials, the container comprising a mobile heat conduction structure

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 TN INT (FR)

AI summary

A storage space device for the transport and/or storage of nuclear materials, comprising a main structure defining at least one housing intended to contain the nuclear materials and includes a mobile heat conduction structure forming at least one portion of a side outer surface of the storage space device. The mobile structure has at least one mobile heat conduction component mounted on the main structure so as to be displaceable reversibly from a retracted position to a deployed position while moving away from the structure.