Radioactive Storage Basket Segmented Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage baskets for radioactive materials face challenges in achieving accurate geometry and reduced size while maintaining mechanical strength and neutron absorption, particularly due to the use of parallel tubes and transverse plates which complicate straightness and increase overall size.
Innovation Solution
The storage basket design features alternately arranged transverse plates and housing tubes along the longitudinal axis, with holes in the plates forming part of the housing, allowing for closer hole placement and reduced overall size while maintaining mechanical strength through a segmented design and use of neutron-absorbing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tubes are held together by transverse plates with through holes, then mechanical strength is maintained, but the transverse overall size becomes substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse plate is segmented into multiple sections with through holes arranged in a specific pattern, allowing the plate to maintain structural integrity while reducing the overall transverse size. The plate is divided into regions that can be independently optimized for strength and space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a conventional single-plate structure to a multi-level arrangement where tubes pass through holes at different positions and orientations. This dimensional reorganization allows for more efficient space utilization while maintaining the required mechanical strength through strategic hole placement and plate reinforcement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tubes extend over the whole height of the basket, then structural continuity is achieved, but accurate geometry and straightness become difficult and expensive to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tubes are segmented into multiple sections of manageable length. Each tube section can be manufactured with high precision for straightness, then assembled together with transverse plates to achieve the required overall height. This segmentation allows for better quality control and reduced manufacturing costs while maintaining structural continuity through the plate-tube connections.
3Strength
If a minimum material thickness is kept between consecutive through holes, then mechanical strength requirements are fulfilled, but the transverse size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse plate employs local quality enhancement by varying the thickness distribution - thicker regions are positioned at critical load-bearing areas between through holes, while thinner sections are used where less structural support is needed. This localized optimization maintains the minimum required material thickness for strength while minimizing the overall transverse dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse plate utilizes composite construction combining materials with different properties - high-strength materials are strategically placed in regions requiring maximum structural support, while lighter materials are used in non-critical areas. This composite approach allows for reduced overall thickness while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength through optimized material distribution.
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 enables the achievement of desired straightness over the entire length of the basket, reduces its transverse size, and maintains mechanical strength and neutron absorption capabilities, enhancing the efficiency and safety of radioactive material transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
there is first the function of thermal transfer of heat released by radioactive materials. Generally, aluminium or one of its alloys, due to its good thermal conduction properties, is used.
Implementation Method 2
The second function relates to neutron absorption, and the issue of maintaining the sub-criticality of the storage basket when the latter is loaded with fissile radioactive materials. This is made by using neutron absorbing materials, such as boron.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage basket for radioactive materials, defining housings parallel to each other and each extending along a housing axis parallel to a longitudinal central axis of the basket, the latter including: a plurality of transverse plates, traversed by a plurality of openings; a plurality of housing tubes arranged parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the basket. The housing tubes are arranged in alternation with the transverse plates along the axis, such that the inner lateral surface of each housing is defined, successively along this axis, at least by the inner surface of a first housing tube, the inner surface of one of the openings of a first transverse plate, and the inner surface of a second housing tube.