Non-metallic Support Structures for Radioactive Material Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional radioactive transport packages rely on metallic components, which are heavy, costly, and lack repeatable geometry, limiting their efficiency and interchangeability, while non-metallic materials with superior thermal and structural properties are underutilized in this field.

Innovation Solution

A package assembly using non-metallic internal support structures, such as stackable support trays made from composite materials like fiberglass reinforced polyester, designed to withstand impact and high temperatures, ensuring containment and criticality control of radioactive materials during transport and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic components are used for internal support structures, then structural strength and accident survival are improved, but weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials (non-metallic materials with superior thermal and structural properties) to replace traditional metallic components in internal support structures. These composite materials provide both the required structural strength to survive accident conditions and the benefit of reduced weight, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If metallic components are used for internal support structures, then structural strength is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials that can be manufactured with repeatable geometry through qualified tooling, reducing manufacturing variability and cost. The non-metallic composite materials allow for more economical production processes compared to traditional metallic components, while maintaining the required structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes injection molding processes (a form of hydraulic/pneumatic processing) to manufacture the composite internal support structures. This allows for high-volume production with consistent geometry and reduced labor costs, directly addressing the manufacturing cost issue while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Strength

If metallic components are used for internal support structures, then structural integrity is maintained, but geometry repeatability and interchangeability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidgeometry repeatability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials that are suitable for injection molding processes, which inherently provide excellent geometry repeatability. The mold-based manufacturing process ensures that each produced part has consistent dimensions and features, enabling interchangeability while maintaining the required structural integrity through proper material selection and design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2201577B1Package assemblies and internal support structures for transport and storage of radioactive materials

Publication Date: 2012.12.19 ORANO FEDERAL SERVICES LLC

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AI summary

Package assemblies and internal support structures for transport and storage of radioactive material generally include an internal support structure disposed within a container, the internal support structure being made from non-metallic materials. The package is designed to maintain the radioactive material in a subcritical configuration.