Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company

James E Steinke

Richard K Feamster, Jr

Clinton W Stallard, Iii

Bernard Gilligan, Iii

Hugh E Thompson

The Intermodal Modular Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation System uses standardized truck, rail, barge or ship mounted equipment to transport nuclear materials including Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) in standardized overpacks maximizing interchangeability of transportation components. One or more standard truck transportable SNF canisters or standard overpacks are transported in shielded, truck-mounted overpacks. SNF canisters are transferred, using a winch or other movement device, to empty positions within large rail or barge transportable overpack bundles constructed using a plurality of overpacks. An overpack bundle is supported and raised by a cradle assembly and further may be rotated horizontally right or left to allow truck docking from a direction perpendicular to the normal orientation of the rail car. The overpack bundle is axially indexed for positioning empty overpacks for loading. Transfer of standard overpack may be accomplished using a pulling or pushing device or other movement device such as a winch. The overpack bundle is disposed upon a cradle assembly and secured with tiebands. The cradle assembly is provided with rollers displaced into operative position. The overpack bundle may be raised and supported while facilitating axial rotation.

Intermodal modular spent nuclear fuel transportation system

A dry transfer system for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies includes a transfer container with a sliding sleeve for vertical translation therein. The sliding sleeve includes a number of compartments for receiving a corresponding number of fuel assemblies. The container includes an integral and remotely controllable hoist with a number of individually actuated grapples for latching onto a corresponding number of fuel assemblies. The system further includes a loading stand with an elevator for raising and lowering a fuel basket that also includes a number of compartments for moving fuel assemblies up to and in alignment with the sleeve of the transfer container that is landed on the loading stand.

Growing community of inventors

Smithfield, VA, United States of America

James E Steinke