Radioactive Packaging Lifting Means with Plastic Deformation Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radioactive material transport packaging faces challenges in ensuring safety during falls, as current shock-absorbing designs can cause damage to the packaging and its contents due to excessive force transmission and acceleration peaks, and may require oversized packaging that is incompatible with operational constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates raising means with an upper support structure and inclined, interconnected side walls forming plastic deformation zones, which provide necessary rigidity under normal conditions and deform easily during falls, reducing the risk of damage from the raising means and excessive acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the packaging is significantly oversized to withstand forces transmitted by lifting equipment during a fall, then the safety of the packaging is improved, but the operational requirements are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting means are designed with plastic deformation zones that allow controlled deformation during falls. The side walls include upper and lower connecting portions that can plastically deform to absorb impact energy, transforming the rigid lifting structure into a dynamic system that adapts to fall conditions while protecting the packaging without requiring oversized dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting means utilize changes in mechanical properties through plastic deformation. The side walls are designed with specific geometric parameters (connecting portions with defined angles and dimensions) that enable controlled plastic deformation during impacts, changing the structural stiffness from rigid to compliant under load while maintaining normal operational integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock-absorbing blocks are used to protect the packaging during falls, then the packaging is protected from damage, but acceleration spikes are induced that can damage both the packaging and radioactive contents
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting means act as an intermediary element between the base platform and the packaging. Instead of using separate shock-absorbing blocks that generate acceleration spikes, the lifting means themselves deform plastically to absorb impact energy, serving as both the support structure and the shock absorption mechanism without transmitting harmful acceleration spikes to the packaging contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic deformation zones in the lifting means convert the harmful impact energy of falls into beneficial controlled deformation. The upper and lower connecting portions of the side walls are designed to deform plastically during impacts, transforming the harmful shock into controlled energy absorption that protects both the packaging and its contents without generating acceleration spikes.
3Reliability
If two-part lifting frames connected by fusible elements are used, then the lifting means can be designed to protect during falls, but manufacturing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting means are segmented into functional zones within a unified structure. The side walls are divided into upper connecting portions, main portions, and lower connecting portions, each with specific deformation characteristics. This segmentation allows targeted design of deformation zones while maintaining a monolithic structure that is simpler to manufacture than multi-part assemblies with fusible elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting means combine multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The side walls with their upper connecting portions, main portions, and lower connecting portions form a unified lifting frame that provides both structural support and shock absorption. This merging of functions into one piece eliminates the need for separate fusible element connections while maintaining fall protection capability.
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 design effectively minimizes the risk of damage to the packaging and its contents during falls by allowing controlled deformation of the raising means, ensuring safety and compatibility with operational constraints.
Implementation Method 1
an upper connecting portion connecting with the upper support structure, said upper connecting portion forming a plastic deformation zone; a lower connecting portion connecting with the bearing portion, said lower connecting portion forming a plastic deformation zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (100) comprising: - transport packaging (1) for radioactive materials, the packaging comprising a lateral body (2) and at least one shock-absorbing cover (6), - a base platform (5) delimiting a base surface (10) situated at a distance from each shock-absorbing cover (6); - lifting means (3) for lifting the packaging (1) with respect to the base surface (10) in a vertical superposing direction (12). According to the invention, the lifting means (3) comprise in particular lateral walls, the main portion of which is designed to define a non-zero angle with the superposing direction (12).