Stock Equipment Co., Inc.

General Signal Corporation

Donald E Christofer

Arthur J Stock

Joseph E Brinza

John C Homer

Robert J Torok

Thomas Whittington

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

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

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

A remote control method and apparatus for use in association with a movable carriage illustrated as a transfer car for handling radioactive materials. The car has a self-contained drive motor energized from a remote power source, and travels in forward and reverse directions in a predetermined path between at least two predetermined operating stations in a closed operating space defined by protective walls. The travel of the car in both directions is automatically halted by means of limit switch means located outside the closed space, to de-energize the power source for the drive motor. A rotary shaft extending through a wall of the enclosed space is rotated in one direction in response to forward travel of the car and in the opposite direction in response to the reverse travel of the car. An adjustable switch means is located on the outside of the chamber wall to halt the car at the predetermined limit position.

Method and apparatus for controlling a transfer car from a remote station

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

Willowick, OH, United States of America

Donald E Christofer