Pivoting Support System for Radioactive Material Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for moving packaging of radioactive materials from a horizontal transport position to a vertical position for use are ineffective without handling pins arranged near the bottom of the packaging.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a support frame, a first lateral support device for the head end of the packaging, and a pivoting support system that includes a second lateral support device and an axial support device, allowing the packaging to be tipped without the need for handling pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handling pins are used near the bottom of the packaging for pivoting, then the packaging can be effectively moved from horizontal to vertical position, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two distinct functional parts: a first lateral support device that remains stationary and a pivoting support system that moves. This segmentation allows the packaging to be supported during tipping without requiring handling pins at the bottom, as the pivoting support system provides the necessary movement capability while the stationary support provides stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting support system acts as an intermediary between the stationary support frame and the packaging. It transfers the packaging from the horizontal to vertical position without requiring direct attachment to handling pins on the packaging bottom, thereby solving the contradiction between tipping capability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If handling pins are arranged near the bottom of the packaging, then pivoting is enabled, but the weight of the packaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pivoting function from the packaging itself (handling pins attached to packaging) and relocates it to a separate pivoting support system. This extraction eliminates the need for heavy handling pins on the packaging while maintaining the pivoting capability, thereby reducing the overall weight of the packaging system.
3Ease of operation
If handling pins are used for support, then the packaging can be positioned vertically, but the footprint and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting support system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to pivot and reposition itself during the tipping operation. This dynamic design enables the system to achieve vertical positioning of the packaging with a smaller footprint, as the pivoting mechanism consolidates the support function into a more compact configuration compared to static handling pin arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supporting packaging for transporting radioactive materials, configured to allow the packaging to be moved from a horizontal position for transport into a vertical position for use. The system includes: a support chassis; a first lateral support device for supporting a top end part of the packaging; a pivoting support system, mounted with the ability to pivot on the support chassis so as to be able to pivot with respect to same and with respect to the first lateral support device when the packaging is being tilted, the pivoting support system comprising: a second lateral support device for supporting a bottom end part of the packaging; and an axial support device for the bottom-end part of the packaging.