Radioactive Waste Drum Closure System with Magnetic Gripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for closing drum units containing radioactive waste face challenges in ensuring precise and unmanned closure, leading to potential radioactivity leaks due to imperfect sealing between the drum and cover units.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a supporting unit, drum unit, moving unit, cover unit, tightening units, and a controller, where the tightening units include fastening bolts, bushings, and an electromagnet for magnetic gripping, allowing for precise alignment and closure of the drum and cover units using tool parts and key grooves for secure fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile unmanned system is used to close the drum unit, then worker safety is improved by preventing radiation exposure, but closure precision deteriorates leading to potential radioactivity leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidclosure precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated unmanned system equipped with fastening bolts, bushings, and tightening units. The system uses automated positioning and fastening mechanisms to close the drum unit, substituting human mechanical actions with programmable mechanical systems that maintain both safety and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The unmanned system performs self-positioning and self-fastening operations using integrated sensors and automated control. The fastening mechanism automatically aligns the cover unit with the drum unit and secures it through automated tightening, enabling the system to complete the closure process independently without human intervention while maintaining precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual closure operations are performed, then closure precision is maintained, but worker safety deteriorates due to radiation exposure risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure precisionVSAvoidworker safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an unmanned mobile system as an intermediary between the operator and the radioactive waste drum. This intermediary performs all close operations remotely, allowing precise control to be maintained through automated mechanisms while the operator remains isolated from radiation exposure, thus serving as a protective mediator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical fastening operations are replaced with an automated unmanned system that uses electrically actuated fastening bolts and tightening units. The system maintains closure precision through automated positioning and control mechanisms while eliminating the need for workers to physically handle or approach the radioactive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the cover unit is loosely fitted to enable easy placement, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates allowing radiation leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover placement easeVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment and positioning of the cover unit onto the drum unit before final fastening. The automated mechanism pre-aligns the fastening holes and positions the cover correctly, enabling easy initial placement while subsequent automated tightening ensures proper sealing effectiveness without requiring manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening process is segmented into distinct phases: initial positioning, alignment, and progressive tightening. The cover unit is first placed in position with proper alignment, then multiple fastening bolts are systematically tightened in sequence to achieve both ease of placement and effective sealing, with each phase building upon the previous one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables unmanned and precise closure of drum units, preventing radioactivity leaks by ensuring a secure fit between the drum and cover units, thereby enhancing safety in radioactive waste storage and treatment processes.

Implementation Method 1

the tightening units include fastening bolts, bushings, and an electromagnet for magnetic gripping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic gripping: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11335471B1System for closing drum unit for storing radioactive waste

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 JS CHEM CORP

AI summary

Proposed is a system for closing a drum unit for storing radioactive waste, the system including: a supporting unit configured to be seated on the ground; a drum unit configured to be seated on a top part of the supporting unit and having a plurality of first fastening holes; a moving unit configured to move to a side of the drum unit; a cover unit provided at the inside of the moving unit or at one side of the drum unit and having a plurality of second fastening holes; tightening units configured to be inserted into the associated second fastening holes; a fastening unit configured to grip the cover unit through a gripping part to move the cover unit to the top part of the drum unit simultaneously, thereby closing a gap between the drum unit and the cover unit; and a controller configured to control the fastening unit.