Stock Equipment Co., Inc.

General Signal Corporation

Arthur J Stock

Donald E Christofer

Joseph E Brinza

Donald S Christopher

John C Homer

Robert J Torok

Thomas Whittington

Reeve R Hastings

Paul C Williams

A remote control apparatus for removing from one of a number of filter pits, and loading for protective storage in a disposal drum, radioactive filters used in nuclear power generating stations, and for replacing spent filters. The apparatus includes a transportable base adapted to be placed adjacent the respective filter pit and a hoist mechanism mounted on the base. The hoist mechanism includes a vertical tower or mast mounted on the base, a generally horizontal boom mounted on and extending outwardly from the top of the mast, a grab mechanism for engaging various specially adapted articles, including spent filters to be removed and new filters for replacement, means for operating the grab mechanism from a remote location, a lift mechanism for supporting the grab mechanism from the outer end of the boom and for raising and lowering it in a vertical path, and means for operating the lift mechanism from the remote location. A drum turret is mounted on the base for rotary movement about a vertical axis spaced from the vertical path, to and from a filter receiving position wherein a storage drum carried thereby is placed in the aforesaid vertical path to receive a removed filter to be lowered therein by the lift mechanism. The drum turret is adapted to be operated from a remote location. A second turret is mounted on the mast intermediate the base and the boom for rotary movement about the aforesaid vertical axis and has preferably two radially extending platforms adapted to be positioned selectively in alignment with the vertical path of travel to receive from or locate for the grab means a spent or new filter or other article to be supported by the second turret. The second turret is also adapted to be operated from a remote shielded location.

Method and apparatus for changing filters in nuclear power stations

A reversing ratchet lever assembly for driving a bolt or other threaded element to be turned selectively in clockwise and counterclockwise directions about a lever axis. The assembly has a housing that defines a bore coaxial with the lever axis and that receives a drive head for the bolt or other fastener. The drive head has radial external ratchet teeth that are adapted to be engaged by a double pawl pivotally mounted in the housing. The pawl is adapted for movement between forward drive and reverse drive engagement with the ratchet teeth and has an intermediate disengaged position. The assembly is operated by a lever handle adapted to be grasped by an operator. The handle has an inner end received in and retained in the housing for pivotal movement about a longitudinal twist axis located perpendicular to the lever axis. The inner end of the lever handle is operatively associated with the pawl and is adapted to move the pawl to its forward drive position when the handle is twisted in one direction and to its reverse drive position when the handle is twisted in the opposite direction. The handle is biased to a neutral position so that the pawl is disengaged unless the handle is positively twisted in one direction or the other.

Reversing ratchet door closer

A device for selectively applying a test load to a weight-sensing control mechanism in an enclosed conveyor unit for feeding particulate material at a controlled rate. The weight-sensing mechanism continuously senses the weight of a variable quantity of material such as coal being conveyed through a predetermined reference zone and one or more load cells generate a voltage signal representative of the weight being sensed. The test load may be supported in the conveyor unit in either of two positions including a first position wherein it is supported independently of the weight-sensing mechanism and a second position wherein it is transferred to the weight-sensing mechanism for the purpose of calibration. The device includes a transverse shaft journaled in the conveyor unit and a pair of eccentric hubs mounted at opposite ends of the shaft, each hub being rotatably received in a connecting head portion of one of a pair of support rods adapted to suspend the test load. Thus, rotation of the shaft and eccentric hubs causes the test load to be transferred between its two positions so as to transfer the weight of the test load to the weight-sensing mechanism for the purpose of calibration. The transfer is accomplished by an operator at a location outside the enclosed conveyor unit.

Weight-sensor calibration for gravimetric coal feeder

A process for introducing into a container dry particulate solidifying agent, such as portland cement, and a fluent material, such as a slurry or solution, that is mixable with the solidifying agent to provide ultimately a mass that is at least partially solidified within the container. The solidifying agent which when in a dry condition often has a sizable volume of air contained therein, and a predetermined quantity of the fluent material, are introduced into the container and, after the container is closed, agitated in the container to form a first mixture in which the air is removed from within the solidifying agent. The container is then opened and a second quantity of the fluent material is placed in the container with the first mixture to fill the container to a desired degree. The container is then closed and the first mixture and second quantity of fluent material are agitated to provide a second mixture which is then at least partially solidified in the container. The fluent material is disclosed as radioactive, and two fluent materials of different radioactive intensities may be introduced into the container to produce a solidified mass of a desired radioactive intensity.

Introduction of fluent materials into containers

Feeder apparatus for feeding at a controlled variable rate particulate solid material, such as coal, from a supply conduit located above a gravimetric feeder to a discharge chute located below the feeder. The particulate material flows to the feeder from the supply conduit along a path having a generally vertical center line and the discharge chute provides a flow path having a generally vertical center line closely laterally spaced relative to the center line of flow to the feeder. The feeder apparatus has a horizontally extending housing with an upwardly facing inlet through which the material flows to the feeder and a downwardly facing outlet forming part of the discharge chute through which the material flows from the feeder. Within the housing is a main feeder conveyor including an endless belt with a generally horizontal span adapted to receive at one end the particulate material flowing to the feeder and to convey in a layer a measured quantity of material a horizontal distance across weighing means to an exit zone at the opposite end of the belt, the horizontal distance being substantially greater than the spacing between the center lines of flow to the feeder and through such discharge chute. Associated with the main feeder conveyor is a gravimetric control system for controlling the amount of material deposited on the belt. Particulate material that drops off the main conveyor belt at the exit zone is received on a return belt conveyor and carried in a reverse direction a sufficient distance to bring the material to the discharge chute. Cooperation between the main feeder conveyor and the return conveyor permits gravimetric feeding of particulate material to the discharge chute that is closely laterally spaced to the flow path of material to the main conveyor by a distance that is substantially less than the length of travel of the material on the main conveyor.

Feeder for particulate material

Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a container such as a steel drum, together with cement or other solidifying agent and water or other suitable liquid in amount sufficient to provide eventually a solidified mixture of predetermined amounts of cement or other solidifying agent and radioactive material, closing the drum, agitating the mixture in the drum for mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for at least a period of time sufficient to permit partial decay of radioactive materials or to await available time for shipment. Also disclosed are remotely controlled apparatus for handling both empty and filled drums, for placing the drums in and removing drums from enclosed drumming equipment where they have been filled and agitated, for accurately placing the drums containing radioactive material in storage, and for removing the drums from storage and loading them on a vehicle for transportation. All of these operations are done by remote control with a high degree of safety to the operators and maintenance personnel from radiation and freedom of the ambience from radiation pollution.

Crane grab apparatus

Disclosed is apparatus for introducing particulate material, such as finely divided coal, into a vessel, such as a coal gasifier, having a gas pressure different from atmospheric pressure, comprising a gas lock chamber having at each of its feed and discharge ends an openable and closable material-holding valve below which is a movable openable and closable gas sealing valve, and means below the gas sealing valve for clearing away particulate material from the space through which the sealing valve moves from its opened position to its closed position, to insure that a tight gas seal can be achieved. Also disclosed is a gas valve having a seat radially spaced from the conduit through which material is distributed, to aid in gas sealing. Systems are also disclosed for automatically controlling the pressure in the gas lock chamber to enable it to act as a gas lock, and the operation of the various material holding and gas sealing valves, and clearing means.

Apparatus for introducing particulate material into a vessel

Apparatus is disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a steel drum together with cement and water, mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for a period of time to permit partial decay of radioactive materials. Also disclosed are a decanting tank for forming a dispersion of radioactive resin particles and water in predetermined proportions, said tank having an internal mixer to effect stirring, means for sensing the levels of the water and the resin particles, and means for removing excess water by decanting.

Process for introducing particulate material into a container

Apparatus for receiving and compacting waste material such as paper, fabrics, plastics, light metal, etc., for convenient disposal and for capturing particles of dust such as radiation contaminated particles, generated during the receiving and compacting operations. The apparatus is adapted to support a removable drum in which the waste material is loaded, subsequently compacted by a vertical ram and then disposed of. A cylindrical loading chamber over the drum has access doors that are closed during the compacting operation to define when closed a confined space through which the loaded waste material is guided during the initial portion of the compacting operation. An exhaust system communicating with the loading chamber draws off surrounding atmosphere during the compacting operation and includes filters for removing particles of dust and/or other contaminates entrained in the surrounding atmosphere. Particle laden filters are disposed of in a drum.

Apparatus for receiving and compacting waste material

Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a container such as a steel drum, together with cement or other solidifying agent and water or other suitable liquid in amounts sufficient to provide eventually a solidified mixture of predetermined amounts of cement or other solidifying agent and radioactive material, closing the drum, mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for a period of time. Also disclosed is a unique metering pump for delivering the radioactive dispersion to the drums in accurately measured quantities while preventing leakage from the radioactive side. The pump is mounted on a metal shield wall so that pump and valve parts can be removed for repair or maintenance from the safe side of the wall. The valves are independently operated by remote control to permit reverse operation for back flushing and flushing of the lines with clean water.

Pump apparatus

Crane apparatus

Apparatus for introducing particulate material into a container

Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a container such as a steel drum, together with cement or other solidifying agent and water or other suitable liquid in amounts sufficient to provide eventually a solidified mixture of predetermined amounts of cement or other solidifying agent and radioactive material, closing the drum, agitating the mixture in the drum for mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for at least a period of time sufficient to permit partial decay of radioactive materials or to await available time for shipment. Also disclosed are remotely controlled apparatus for handling both empty and filled drums, for placing the drums in and removing drums from enclosed drumming equipment where they have been filled and agitated, for accurately placing the drums containing radioactive material in storage, and for removing the drums from storage and loading them on a vehicle for transportation. All of these operations are done by remote control with a high degree of safety to the operators and maintenance personnel from radiation and freedom of the ambient from radiation pollution.

Apparatus and process for handling dangerous fluent material

Apparatus is disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a steel drum together with cement and water, mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for a period of time to permit partial decay of radioactive materials. Also disclosed are remotely controlled apparatus for filling, closing and agitating the drum including special means for unscrewing a cap from the drum, for holding the cap during filling, and for replacing the cap after filling.

Growing community of inventors

Lakewood, OH, United States of America

Arthur J Stock