Pacific Nuclear Systems, Inc.

Vectra Technologies, Inc.

Robert A Lehnert

Robert D Quinn

Steven E Sisley

Charles J Temus

Ian D McInnes

Kyle B Jones

Brandon Damon Thomas

Disclosed is a transportation and storage assembly for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The transportation and storage assembly includes a basket assembly (24) designed for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, or a basket assembly (122) designed for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The basket assemblies (24, 122) are inserted into a canister (22). The canister (22) includes a shell (26) that receives and surrounds the basket assemblies (24, 122), and lids (28, 96) that enclose the shell (26). The basket assemblies (24, 122) include a plurality of apertured plates (36, 124) interconnected by structural members (42, 88) that maintain the plates (36, 124) in a spaced apart relationship, axially aligning the apertures (38, 126) in the plates (36, 124). In the basket assembly (24) for failed nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a container (44) is inserted into a row of axially aligned apertures (122), having a drain passage (104). In the basket assembly (122) for undamaged nuclear fuel rod assemblies, a plurality of guide sleeve assemblies (132) are formed from structural members (134, 138), and a layer (136) including a neutron poisoning material. The containers (44) and guide sleeve assemblies (132) are each for receiving a nuclear fuel rod assembly.

Containers for transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel

The present invention provides a cask (10) for transport and short-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The cask 10 includes a structural shell (14) defining a cavity (40) for receiving spent nuclear fuel. The shell is formed from an upper shell portion (16) formed of a first metal and a lower shell portion (18) formed from a second metal. The first metal utilized to form the upper shell portion has a higher load bearing strength than the second metal utilized to form the lower shell portion. A bearing surface is defined on the upper shell portion by trunnions (30) mounted within sleeves (32) secured to the upper shell portion. The trunnions (30) each define a bearing projection (160) that is engageable to enable hoisting of the cask, with the tensile and shear loads of hoisting the cask being transferred from the trunnions to the trunnion mounting sleeves, and thus to the upper shell portion of the structural shell. The cask further includes a bottom closure plate (20) secured to the bottom end of the shell, and a top closure plate releasably securable to the top end of the shell. A neutron radiation absorbing shield jacket (28) is formed about the exterior of the structural shell.

Transportation and storage cask for spent nuclear fuels

A skid for transporting a nuclear fuel transportation cask. The skid comprises a supporting member having parallel spaced-apart plates. The plates are aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cask, include a semi-circular trough for mating with the cask, and are connected by longitudinal fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cask. The skid also comprises a retaining member including parallel spaced-apart plates. The plates of the retaining member are aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cask, include a trough for mating with the cask, and are connected by longitudinal fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cask. The fins of the supporting member are spaced apart such that when the cask rests in the trough of the supporting member, the fins of the supporting member are aligned with elongate members of the cask neutron radiation shielding material to transfer the load between the cask and the skid.

Skid for transporting a nuclear fuel transportation cask

The present invention provides a cask (10) for transport and short-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The cask 10 includes a structural shell (14) defining a cavity (40) for receiving spent nuclear fuel. The shell is formed from an upper shell portion (16) formed of a first metal-and a lower shell portion (18) formed from a second metal. The first metal utilized to form the upper shell portion has a higher load bearing strength than the second metal utilized to form the lower shell portion. A bearing surface is defined on the upper shell portion by trunnions (30) mounted within sleeves (32) secured to the upper shell portion. The trunnions (30) each define a bearing projection (160) that is engageable to enable hoisting of the cask, with the tensile and shear loads of hoisting the cask being transferred from the trunnions to the trunnion mounting sleeves, and thus to the upper shell portion of the structural shell. The cask further includes a bottom closure plate (20) secured to the bottom end of the shell, and a top closure plate releasably securable to the top end of the shell. A neutron radiation absorbing shield jacket (28) is formed about the exterior of the structural shell.

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Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Robert A Lehnert