EP0701032B1 - Modular confining assembly for the limitation of a closed, enlargeable volume - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly consists of a series of rectangular panels (10,12) with edge ribs (10a,12a) for joining the panels together with the aid of connectors (18,20;26,28). Each panel's edge ribs lie at an angle of some 135 degrees to the surface of the panel, and the connectors comprise bars (18) of right-angled triangular cross-section with holes for fastenings (20,28) which bisect the right angles and are held in place by angled plates (34) and wing nuts (24). The panels have notches in their edge ribs for the fastenings and are made in two different heights, one being twice the other. One of the taller panels can be made with a door in it.

Description

The invention relates to a set of modular confinement, usable in particular in the nuclear industry, in order to delimit a closed volume easily decontaminable and whose disassembly produces a limited amount of waste.

The modular containment set according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in the nuclear industry. In particular, it can be used to delimit a closed volume around equipment contaminated nuclear power, which we wish to carry out dismantling. This containment set can also be used for storage purposes or in an environment not hostile.

Document EP-A-0 161 133 describes an assembly modular containment made of rectangular panels plans with continuous peripheral borders, U-shaped section formed by two angled wings law. The adjacent panels are assembled edge to edge, either directly when they are to be placed in the same plan, either by angles when they have to form a right angle between them. This assembly is ensured by organs of the bolt type crossing holes formed opposite in the first wing of the borders, which forms a right angle with the rectangular panels. The second wing of the borders is used to fix stiffeners on panels. When of the assembly, the edges of the panels are placed at outside the volume delimited by the set of confinement, so that the interior surface is smooth and easily decontaminated.

The structure of the containment system modular described in document EP-A-0 161 133 allows delimit a volume of evolving shapes and dimensions, easily decontaminated after use.

This set, however, presents some disadvantages. So, it is obtained by assembling a relatively large number of different parts, this which significantly decreases the interest of his character modular. In addition, some architectures can hardly obtainable. These include: architectures involving the presence of one or more partitions inside the containment volume or the existence of an interior angle of 270 °.

In document US-A-2,742,776, it is proposed to make a residential wall, by assembling panels end-to-end plans using I and angled profiles straight, using V-shaped sections. panels against the I-profiles is provided by bolts that act on corners, and blocking of edges panels against the V-profiles is provided by studs attached to them and acting on blocks.

The subject of the invention is precisely a set modular containment whose original design reduces the number of different parts used to form this set, to simplify the structure of these parts and increase assembly possibilities without create large amounts of waste and without the ease of decontamination is seriously affected.

In accordance with the invention, this result is obtained by means of a modular containment set comprising rectangular panels with at least one side substantially flat with a continuous peripheral wing and means for assembling these panels edge to edge, bearing on said wings, characterized by the fact that the peripheral wing of each panel is oriented substantially at 135 ° with respect to said face, and that the assembly means include cross-section bars isosceles right triangle shape, carrying organs of clamping oriented along the bisector of the right angle of this isosceles right triangle, at least one face of each bars applied to a wing when the panels are assembled.

By using panels and assembly bars according to the invention it becomes possible to delimit a closed volume of shapes and evolving dimensions. For this, the panels can be assembled edge to edge either in the same plane, or forming between them an internal angle of 90 °, either by forming between them an interior angle of 270 °. One or more panels can also be used as an interior partition. Edges devices of these panels are then pinched between the adjacent edges of two panels assembled together in the same plan. During mounting, the tightening of the means assembly is carried out from the outside. The interior of the enclosed volume delimited by the whole is practically smooth and easily decontaminated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly means comprise a first type of bars, carrying clamping members of the side of the right angle of the isosceles right triangle, and a second type of bars, carrying clamping members of the side of the hyposenuse of the isosceles right triangle. The bars of the first type are used to assemble edge on board two neighboring panels located in the same plane while bars of the second type are used to assemble edge to edge of the panels forming between them a 90 ° or 270 ° angle. It should be noted that the two types of bars can be obtained using bars identical bearing identical clamping members arranged in opposite directions depending on the type of bars concerned.

Advantageously, each clamping member includes a threaded rod onto which a nut is screwed.

Truncated angle angles can be mounted on these threaded rods, between the nuts and wings of adjacent panels.

The wings of the panels have notches open, for the passage of the clamping members. These notches are used when the panels are assembled edge to edge to form an angle between them inside 90 °. Indeed, the wings of the panels adjacent are then pressed against each other and compressed by the clamping members which pass through the open notches.

In order to be able to define a closed volume with very varied shapes and dimensions, we advantageously uses a first type of panel rectangular whose length is double the width and a second type of square panel, the side of which is equal to the width of the panels of the first type. The bars then have a length equal to or slightly less than the width of panels of the first type.

Preferably, at least one of the panels of the first type is equipped with a door.

Advantageously, the panels are made of a transparent material such as polyvinyl chloride.

When assembling four panels adjacent, there is a gap between these panels. When the length of the bars is less than the width panels of the first type, there is also a gap at the junction between two or three panels. A adhesive tape is then advantageously glued to the inner surface of these panels, in the area of connection where they are adjacent. When disassembling together, this adhesive tape constitutes waste. However, the volume of waste constituted by these pieces of tape is very weak compared to overall dimensions.

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement, en perspective et avec arrachement partiel, un ensemble de confinement modulaire conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe de l'ensemble de la figure 1, qui représente à plus grande échelle les parties A, B, C et D sur la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective représentant, depuis l'intérieur du volume clos, la partie E sur la figure 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates, in perspective and partially cut away, a modular confinement assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1, which shows on a larger scale the parts A, B, C and D in Figure 1; and
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing, from inside the enclosed volume, the part E in FIG. 1.

The modular nature of the whole confinement according to the invention gives it an appearance evolutionary which allows to consider a number of virtually unlimited configurations. Figure 1 illustrates as an example one of these configurations. She illustrates the relatively limited number of parts different that it is necessary to use to achieve a relatively complex form of containment.

These parts essentially include two types of rectangular panels, as well as parts constituting the means of assembly of these panels.

A first type of rectangular panel, designated by the reference 10 in Figure 1, is formed of panels whose length is twice the width. In a preferred modular configuration, the width of these panels are 1 m and their length is therefore 2 m.

The second type of panel, designated by the reference 12 in FIG. 1, is constituted by square panels whose side is equal to the width of the rectangular panels 10. In the example described, the length of the sides of these panels 12 is therefore 1 m.

The panels 10 and 12 are preferably flat panels, at least in their peripheral zones. They are made of a transparent material such as polyvinyl chloride, suitable for being easily decontaminated and having a satisfactory rigidity as well as a weight relatively small unit (for example about 15 kg for panels 10 of larger dimensions).

The substantially planar peripheral area of each of panels 10 and 12 carries a peripheral wing continuous, oriented approximately 135 ° relative to this peripheral zone. This peripheral wing is designated respectively by the reference 10a for the panels 10 and by the reference 12a for the panels 12, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Note that panels 10 and 12 can be used interchangeably to form side walls, roof or interior partitions of the containment assembly that one wishes to achieve, such as illustrated in Figure 1.

The existence of two types of panels 10 and 12 allows in particular to give the containment assembly a evolving in three directions, in step with 1 m in the example described, possibly avoiding obstacles such as obstacles O in Figure 1.

As this figure also illustrates, one at least 10 rectangular panels used for form the bottom of the walls of the set of containment may include a door 14 allowing operators to access the closed volume 15 (figure 2) bounded by this containment set.

In congested areas, signs 10 and 12 can be cut to order, or replaced by a vinyl sheet 16 (figure 1).

As Figure 2 illustrates more specifically, the assembly means using which the panels 10 and 12 are assembled edge to edge to form the assembly of desired containment also include a limited number of parts resting on the wings 10a and 12a of the panels 10 and 12 and whose assembly is done from outside the containment system. To this end, the wings 10a and 12a of the panels forming the walls and the roof of the assembly are oriented towards the exterior of the closed volume 15.

The assembly means that are used to assemble edge to edge panels 10 and 12 according to the desired arrangement are of two types but are advantageously made of the same parts. In one and the other of these two types, the means of assembly include a substantially cross-section bar isosceles right triangle, as well as organs of clamping carried by this bar and oriented according to the bisector of the right angle of this right triangle isosceles.

Specifically, all bars have the same length, preferably slightly less than the width of panels 10 and side of panels 12 (i.e. 0.945 m in the example described). Moreover, each of the bars carries two clamping members, near its ends.

A first type of shaped section bars isosceles right triangle, designated by reference 18 in Figure 2, carries two clamping members 20 which make protruding from the right angle side of this right triangle isosceles. Each of these clamping members 20 comprises a threaded rod 22 fixed in the bar 18, as well as a nut 24, screwed onto this threaded rod. In order to allow a manual assembly and disassembly, the nuts 24 are preferably butterfly nuts.

To facilitate decontamination, the stems threaded 22 are preferably detachably fixed in bars 18, for example by screwing.

The second type of shaped section bars isosceles right triangle, designated by reference 26 in Figure 2, carries two clamping members 28 which make protrusion from the hypotenuse side of this right triangle isosceles. Each of these clamping members 28 comprises a threaded rod 30 fixed on the bar 26 and a nut 32 screwed on the threaded rod 30. Like the nuts 24, the nuts 32 are advantageously butterfly nuts. Likewise, threaded rods 30 are detachably fixed in the bars 26, for example by screwing.

Bars 18 and 26 are advantageously identical to each other, as are the stems threaded 22 and 30 and nuts 24 and 32. Both types of bars 18 and 26 are distinguished only by the causes the threaded rods 22 and 30 to be screwed in direction reverse in the tapped holes formed for this purpose in bars 18 and 26.

Depending on the type of assembly you want use either bars 18 equipped with clamping members 20, or bars 26 equipped with clamping devices 28. The nature of the assembly to can also lead to interposing between the nut 24 or 32 and the peripheral wings 10a and / or 12a of the panels to assemble angles 34 or 36 at an angle truncated. These angles 34 and 36 are identical and have oval-shaped holes for the passage of rods threaded 22 and 30. They exist in two lengths (0.945 m and 1.945 m in the example considered).

Bars 18 and 26 are made advantageously made of polyvinyl chloride. On the other hand, the threaded rods 22 and 30, the nuts 24 and 32 as well as the angles 34 and 36 are made of a metal such as stainless steel.

The use of different parts which have just been described with reference to FIG. 2 for assembling panels 10 and 12 depends on the type of junction that we want to make on the set of modular containment.

The different types of possible joining will now be described.

To form a wall or the ceiling of the containment system, panels 10 and / or 12 must be assembled edge to edge so that they are in the same plane, vertical or horizontal depending on the case.

The assembly is then carried out as we have illustrated in A in Figure 2, by means of bars 18 carrying the clamping members 20 projecting from the side of the right angle of the isosceles right triangle formed in section by each of the bars 18. The panels to assemble being arranged in the same plane, their wings 10a and / or 12a are placed side by side and facing the exterior of the closed volume 15 delimited by the set of confinement to be achieved. These wings are applied against the faces of the bars 18 corresponding to the sides of the angle right of the isosceles right triangle formed in sectioon by these bars. In addition, a symmetrical angle iron 34 truncated is interposed between the nuts 24 and the wings Signs. Tightening the nuts 24 then has the effect to clamp the wings 10a and / or 12a between the angle iron 34 and bar 18. The latter is then turned towards inside the closed volume 15 delimited by all of confinement, so that the hypotenuse of the triangle isosceles rectangle which it forms in section be substantially aligned with the planes of the panels 10 and / or 12 thus assembled.

When the achievement of all of modular confinement involves forming an angle inside 90 °, as illustrated in B in the figure 2, the assembly is carried out by means of bars 26 equipped clamping members 28, without using any angle 34 or 36 with truncated angle.

To perform this assembly, the peripheral wings 10a and / or 12a of the panels to be assembled towards the outside of the enclosed volume delimited by the whole of confinement that one wishes to achieve, by applying these wings against each other. Then we fit the rods threaded 30 into open slots 38 formed therein effect on the edges of each of the sides 10a and / or 12a of the panels. The spacing between these notches 38 is equal to the spacing between the two threaded rods 30 carried by each of the bars 26. When this interlocking is produced, the faces of the bars 26, corresponding to the isosceles right triangle hypotenuse formed in section by the bars, are applied against one of the wings 10a and / or 12a and the nuts 32 are applied against the other wing. Tightening the nuts then has the effect of press the wings together.

In the event that the assembly of the assembly of confinement involves the formation of an outgoing angle of 90 °, i.e. an internal angle of 270 °, as we illustrated in C in Figure 2, we perform assembly of the corresponding panels by means of bars 26 carrying clamping members 28, in interposing a symmetrical angle iron 34 with a truncated angle.

We then place end to end and in the same plane the wings 10a and / or 12a of the panels to be assembled, in passing the threaded rods 30 between the edges adjacent to these wings and placing the bar 26 to inside the enclosed volume delimited by all of confinement to be achieved. Tightening the nuts 32 on the threaded rods 30 then has the effect of pinching the sides 10a and / or 12a of the panels to be assembled between the angle 34 at a truncated angle and the bar 26.

Finally, and as illustrated in D on the Figure 2, when the realization of the set of containment requires three to be assembled simultaneously panels to form an interior partition with a closed volume from one of the walls or the roof of the assembly containment, bars 18 carrying members are used clamping 20, as well as symmetrical angles 36 to truncated angle.

In this case, the assembly is practically the same as the one previously described in A, but wing 10a or 12a of the panel intended to form the partition interior is interposed between the bar 18 and one or the other of the wings 10a and / or 12a of the two panels adjacent to form the bulkhead or roof. To take into account the thickness of the wing 10a and / or 12a of the panel forming the partition, the holes formed in the angles 34 and 36 for the passage of the threaded rods 22 and 30 are ovalized.

Because the bars 18 and 26 have a modular length, for example 0.945 m in shape of the described embodiment, the different types of assembly which have just been described with reference to parts A, B, C and D in Figure 2 are generally provided by placing several bars of the type concerned end to end.

The modular containment set as well obtained delimits a closed volume whose interior surface is practically smooth except for bars 18 and 26 in the case of the assemblies illustrated in A, C and D. Only gaps remain at the ends of the bars 18 and 26 and when four panels have a common angle, as illustrated in E in Figure 1 and shown in detail in Figure 3.

More specifically, this last figure is a view taken from inside the enclosed enclosed volume by the containment system, in region E which corresponds to the connection between two walls forming between they have an interior angle of 270 °, at the junction vertically between two panels 10 and / or 12. In the example shown, each of the left walls and on the right is formed by a square upper panel 12 and a rectangular lower panel 10. Each group of panels 10 and 12 thus formed is assembled by means of a bar 18 and clamping members 20, as illustrated in A in figure 2.

Junctions between panels 10 and 12 forming the left and right walls are located at same level and the top walls 12 as the walls lower 10 are assembled together by means of bars 26 and clamping members 28 as illustrated in C in figure 2.

The effect of this arrangement is to leave between the ends of bars 18 and 26 corresponding to the junction between the four panels 10 and 12 a gap 39. To preserve containment, this gap 39 is closed by gluing a piece rectangular 40 cut from an adhesive strip on the inner face of the four adjacent panels 10 and 12. The dimensions of the part 40 are chosen so as to completely close the gap 39.

A gap comparable to gap 39 is found at each junction between two, three or four adjacent panels, whether or not these panels are in the same plane. In all cases, this gap is closed with a piece of adhesive tape stuck on the inside faces of the panels as illustrated in figure 3.

The foregoing description shows the many advantages of the containment system modular according to the invention.

Among these advantages, we will mainly cite the very small number of different parts making up this together, which leads to great simplicity of assembly and great ease of inventory management. We will note also the extensibility of the set in the three directions, which provides great flexibility of use and great adaptability to needs and sites. Note also the possibility integrate into the bulkhead containment system interior, modifiable and adaptable in the same way than the outer walls. In addition, the interior of the containment assembly thus produced is completely smooth, which improves safety, facilitates decontamination and contributes to comfort and aesthetics. The decontaminable nature of the panels allows eliminate waste in nuclear applications. Of more, these panels can be recessed one in the others which facilitates their storage and transport. The transport and assembly are also facilitated by the low weight of the panel. The self-supporting nature of the modular confinement assembly according to the invention also provides great security and comfort appreciable. Security is also ensured by the fire resistance of the panels and their transparency. This last characteristic is also appreciable to facilitate lighting, display and communication between inside and outside the volume closed. Finally, it should be noted that specific panels can be integrated on demand by transforming modular panels 10 and 12.

Claims (10)

1. Modular confinement assembly comprising rectangular panels (10, 12) having at least one approximately flat face bearing a continuous peripheral flange (10a, 12a) and means (18, 20; 26, 28) of assembling these panels edge to edge, these means bearing against the said flanges, the assembly being characterized in that the peripheral flange (10a, 12a) of each panel (10, 12) is at approximately 135° to the said face, and in that the assembly means comprise bars (18, 26), the cross section of which is in the shape of an isosceles right-angled triangle, bearing clamping members (20, 28) oriented along the bisector of the right angle of this isosceles right-angled triangle, at least one face of each of the bars (18, 26) pressing against a flange (10a, 12a) when the panels are assembled.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the assembly means comprise a first type of bar (18), bearing clamping members (20) on the right-angle side of the isosceles right-angled triangle, and a second type of bar (26), bearing clamping members (28) on the hypotenuse side of the isosceles right-angled triangle.
3. Assembly according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each clamping member (20, 28) comprises a threaded rod (22, 30) onto which a nut (24, 32) is screwed.
4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the clamping members (20, 28) additionally comprise angle brackets (34, 36) with truncated corners which can be mounted on the threaded rods (22, 30) between the nuts (24, 32) and the flanges (10a, 12a) of the adjacent panels (10, 12).
5. Assembly according to either one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the threaded rods (22, 30) are screwed into the bars (18, 26), the bars of the two types, the threaded rods and the nuts being identical.
6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flanges (10a, 12a) of the panels (10, 12) comprise open notches (38) for the passage of the clamping members (20, 28).
7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first type of rectangular panel (10), the length of which is twice the width, and a second, square, type of panel (12), the side length of which is equal to the width of the panels of the first type, the said bars (18, 26) having a length equal to or slightly shorter than the width of the panels of the first type.
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that one of the panels (10) of the first type contains a door (14).
9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels (10, 12) are made of a transparent material.
10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an adhesive strip (40) which can be stuck along the interior surface of the panels (10, 12) in a region where at least two adjacent panels meet.

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