EP2054893B1 - Transport container for nuclear fuel assemblies and use of said container - Google Patents

Transport container for nuclear fuel assemblies and use of said container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2054893B1
EP2054893B1 EP07788913.7A EP07788913A EP2054893B1 EP 2054893 B1 EP2054893 B1 EP 2054893B1 EP 07788913 A EP07788913 A EP 07788913A EP 2054893 B1 EP2054893 B1 EP 2054893B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door
faces
longitudinal
container
nuclear fuel
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EP07788913.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2054893A2 (en
Inventor
Jacques Gauthier
Pierre Wegeler
Serge Roillet
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Areva NP SAS
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Areva NP SAS
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Publication of EP2054893A2 publication Critical patent/EP2054893A2/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/005—Containers for solid radioactive wastes, e.g. for ultimate disposal
    • G21F5/008—Containers for fuel elements

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to transport containers for nuclear fuel assemblies.
  • the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a transport container for elongated nuclear fuel assemblies in a longitudinal direction, of the type comprising a support having at least a first longitudinal bearing surface delimiting a longitudinal housing. for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, and a door having a second longitudinal bearing surface, the door being movable between a holding position of the nuclear fuel assembly between the two longitudinal surfaces and a release position in which the assembly is free relative to the support.
  • the document WO-99 / 41,754 describes such a container.
  • the second longitudinal surface is supported on a nuclear fuel assembly disposed in the housing with support pads mounted movably on the door. These pads are distributed longitudinally to each come to rely on a grid of the skeleton of the nuclear fuel assembly.
  • Each type of assembly having a cross section and specific grid positions, it is necessary to use for each type of assembly a specific door, which is complicated and expensive.
  • the invention aims to provide a container capable of transporting several types of assembly and which is more easily adaptable to each of them.
  • the invention relates to a transport container of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the spacing between the first and second surfaces in the door holding position.
  • the invention relates to the use of a container as defined above for the transport of a nuclear fuel assembly.
  • the container is used with the same support and the same door for transporting nuclear fuel assemblies of at least two different types.
  • the transport container 1 which is designed for transporting two fuel assemblies in a horizontal position, comprises an outer shell 2 consisting of a lower half-shell 2a and a half-shell upper 2b reported on one another according to a junction plane.
  • Each of the half-shells 2a and 2b is made of sheet steel and has respective reinforcement arches 3a, 3b distributed along the length of the half-shell.
  • adjustable support elements 5 and 5 comprising screw jacks and secured to a longitudinal end portion of the container to adjust the inclination of the container resting on a support surface, about the axis longitudinal axis of the container and around a transverse axis, respectively.
  • the two half-shells 2a and 2b are attached to one another via peripheral flanges constituting an upper flat bearing portion of the lower half-shell 2a and a lower flat bearing portion of the half top shell 2b of the container.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B show a part of the container in the open state, that is to say with the upper half-shell of the container shell separated from the lower half-shell and removed.
  • the internal structure of the container generally designated by the reference 7, which comprises in particular a cradle 8 resting on supports 9 constituted by damping pads, in the lower half-shell 2a of the outer shell 2 of the container.
  • a second part of the internal structure of the container is constituted by an assembly 10 for receiving and supporting two fuel assemblies in horizontal position placed side by side.
  • the assembly 10, which rests on the cradle 8, delimits two fully enclosed housing for two fuel assemblies, as will be explained later.
  • the cradle 8 comprises two longitudinal members 8a, 8b constituted by brackets fixed on the support pads 9, which are held in parallel arrangements with a spacing corresponding to the width of the receiving assembly 10 by cross members 8c.
  • the cradle comprises a set of stiffening and pivoting mounting comprising two plates 11a and 11b parallel to each other and two crosspieces 12 constituted by hollow sections fixed under the longitudinal members of the cradle and to the plates 11a. and 11 b.
  • the pivoting assembly of the assembly 10 on the lower half-shell of the container, around a horizontal axis of transverse direction, is provided by means of the stiffening and pivoting mounting assembly comprising the plates 11a and 11 b.
  • a retaining plate 11c of the fuel assemblies is also mounted between the plates 11a and 11b.
  • damper 43 disk-shaped, whose section is identical to the internal section of the container shell, is constituted by a balsa disk surrounded by a shell made of stainless steel sheet.
  • An identical damper is disposed at the second longitudinal end of the container, between the second longitudinal end of the inner structure and the second end of the outer casing.
  • the assembly 10 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped support 13 in which are formed housing 15A and 15B for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, and two doors 17A and 17B capable of closing the housing 15A and 15B.
  • the support 13 is longitudinally elongated, and has a rectangular rectangular cross section that is constant over the entire longitudinal length of the support 13.
  • the two housings 15A and 15B extend longitudinally, parallel to one another, and open in an upper face 19 of the support 13.
  • the housings 15A and 15B are identical. Only one of them will be described below. Similarly, the doors 17A and 17B are identical, and only one of them will be described below.
  • the bottom of the housing 15B is delimited by a first bearing surface V21, comprising a first pair of longitudinal faces 23 forming between them an angle of 90 °.
  • the first pair of faces 23, considered in cross section, converges to a vertex 25, corresponding to the deepest point of the housing 15B and where the faces 23 meet.
  • the two faces 23 extend towards the top of the figure 4 , that is to say towards the upper face 19, by two lower guide surfaces 27, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the face 19, then by two upper guide surfaces 29, also parallel to each other and perpendicular to the face 19.
  • the surfaces 27 have between them a transverse spacing smaller than that of the surfaces 29, so that shoulders 31 are formed between the surfaces 27 and 29.
  • the door 17B extends over the entire longitudinal length of the housing 15B. It is movable between a holding position of the nuclear fuel assembly in the housing 15B, shown in FIG. figure 4 , and a release position in which the assembly is free relative to the support 13, represented on the figure 5 . These positions will be described in detail below.
  • the door 17B comprises an upper portion 33 and a lower portion 35 of reduced width relative to the portion 33, the width corresponding to the transverse direction when the door is in the holding position.
  • the upper part 33 thus comprises two lateral edges 36 projecting on either side of the part 35.
  • the respective widths of the portions 33 and 35 correspond to the transverse spacing between the upper and lower guide surfaces 29 respectively, and are constant along the entire housing 15B.
  • the upper portion 33 is delimited opposite the portion 35 by a substantially flat upper surface 37.
  • the lower part 35 is delimited opposite the portion 33 by a second longitudinal bearing surface 39 having, in a transverse plane, a shape of W.
  • the second bearing surface 39 comprises in the center a second pair of longitudinal faces 41 arranged in V, forming between them an angle of 90 °.
  • the faces 41 converge to a second vertex 43 where they meet.
  • the second bearing face 39 also comprises two lateral faces 45, extending the faces 41 away from the vertex 43.
  • the faces 45 are substantially perpendicular to the faces 41.
  • the faces 23 of the first pair are wider than the faces 41 of the second pair, considered in a transverse plane.
  • the assembly 10 also comprises, for each door 17A, 17B, means for moving the door relative to the support 13 between its holding and releasing positions, these means also making it possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second surfaces. 23 and 39 when the door occupies its holding position.
  • means for moving the door relative to the support 13 between its holding and releasing positions these means also making it possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second surfaces. 23 and 39 when the door occupies its holding position.
  • the displacement means comprise for example two screws 47 rotatably mounted on the support 13, a plurality of nuts 49 movable along the screws 47 and each provided with two ends of the axis 51 ( Fig. 6 ), the door 17B being rotatably mounted around the axis ends 51 and being translationally connected along the screws 47 to the nuts 49.
  • the screws 47 extend in a vertical direction on the figure 4 , perpendicular to the upper face 19. They are engaged by their free ends in bearings 53 formed in the shoulder 31 of the support 13. The screws 47 are locked in translation vertically in the bearings 53 and are free to rotate in these bearings.
  • the bearings 53 are arranged in the shoulder 31 farthest from the housing 15A.
  • the screws 47 are distributed longitudinally along the door 17B.
  • the vertical length of the screws 47 is such that their heads 55 are arranged outside the support 13, projecting above the upper face 19.
  • the door 17B comprises, at each screw 47, a recess 57 formed in the edge 36 of the upper part 33.
  • the recesses 57 are formed in the entire vertical thickness of the edge 36, the screws 47 passing through the recesses 57.
  • the nuts 49 are arranged in the recesses 57.
  • the door 17B also comprises blind holes 59 formed longitudinally in the thickness of the edge 36 and opening into each recess 57.
  • the shaft ends 51 are integral with the nuts 49 and extend longitudinally from the nuts 49. They are engaged in the blind holes 59, and are free to rotate in these holes.
  • the assembly 10 further comprises for each housing 15A, 15B a plurality of threaded orifices 61 formed in the shoulder 31 opposite to the screws 47, and a plurality of screws 63 for fixing the door 17A, 17B in the holding position, capable of to be screwed into the orifices 61.
  • the number of screws 63 may for example be between ten and fifteen. We will describe here only the means for fixing the door 17B.
  • the fixing screws 63 each comprise a threaded end portion 65, a head 67 opposite to the portion 65, and a smooth portion 69 interposed between the head 67 and the threaded portion 65.
  • the door 17B comprises a plurality of plain holes 71 ( Fig. 5 ), formed in the edge 36 located on the side of the housing 15A in the holding position.
  • the screws 63 are engaged in the smooth holes 71, the smooth section 69 being disposed in the smooth hole 71, the head 67 coming to bear against the upper face 37 of the door 17B, the threaded portion 65 being screwed into the threaded hole 61 of the support.
  • the orifices 61 and 71 and the fixing screws 63 are evenly distributed along the housing 15B.
  • the doors 17A, 17B each comprise two handles 73 projecting upwards with respect to the face 37. These handles 73 are arranged near the longitudinal ends of the doors.
  • the door 17A, 17B When the door 17A, 17B is in the holding position, its upper portion 33 is engaged between the upper guide surfaces 29 and the portion 35 is engaged between the lower guide surfaces 27.
  • the second bearing surface 39 is turned towards the bottom of the housing 15A, 15B, and the faces 41 of the second pair are parallel and opposite the faces 23 of the first pair.
  • the first and second vertices 23 and 43 are then aligned vertically on the figure 4 , that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the face 19, and the upper surface 37 is parallel to the face 19.
  • the release position of the door 17B is illustrated on the figure 5 .
  • the door 17B is mounted at the maximum along the screws 47, and is tilted outwardly of the housing 15B about the axes 51.
  • the nuts 49 are in abutment against the heads 55 of the screws 47.
  • the upper surface 37 of the door 17B extends substantially horizontally, at the upper face 19, the second bearing surface 39 being turned towards the top of the figure 5 opposite housing 15B.
  • the release position of the door 17A is symmetrical with the release position of the door 17B with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the housings 15A and 15B.
  • the doors 17A and 17B are then placed in the release position, so as to give access to the housings 15A and 15B.
  • a nuclear fuel assembly can then be placed in each of the housings 15A and 15B, by a fuel assembly lifting tool such as the winch of a traveling crane, by displacing the assembly horizontally, along the arrow F1 of the figure 5 .
  • the fuel assemblies come to rest, via their lower ends, on the fuel assembly support plate 11C fixed between the two plates 11A and 11B of the assembly 10.
  • each housing 15A, 15B an assembly is arranged in each housing 15A, 15B so that two adjacent lateral sides of this assembly rest on the faces 23 of the first bearing surface 21, as illustrated. on the left side of the figure 5 .
  • the edge separating the two adjacent sides of the fuel assembly is disposed along the top 25.
  • each door 17A, 17B is pivoted about the axes 51, about 180 °, the door then occupying an intermediate position illustrated on the left side of the door. figure 5 .
  • the lower part 35 of the door is engaged in the housing, the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 being separated from the fuel assembly by a free space.
  • the screws 47 are rotated in the bearings 53 by means of suitable tools, so as to lower the nuts 49 along the screws 47, the axis ends 51 driving the door to the assembly disposed in housing.
  • the translational movement of the cover 17A, 17B is interrupted. It will be observed that the second bearing surface 39 comes directly into contact with the nuclear fuel assembly.
  • the door 17B like the door 17A, is devoid of support pads, such as those provided in the state of the art to the right of each of the grids of a nuclear fuel assembly to be transported.
  • This second part of the movement of the door 17A, 17B makes it possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 in the position for holding the door, depending on the size of the fuel.
  • the screws 63 are screwed into the threaded holes 61.
  • the baffle shape, the surface condition and the manufacturing tolerances of the guide surfaces 27 and 29 and the shoulder 31 on the one hand, and doors 17A, 17B on the other hand, are such that the housings 15A, 15B have a good level of tightness, and that the nuclear materials are confined in the housings 15A, 15B in case of serious accident which would have caused breaks of sheaths in the assemblies.
  • the transport container described above can be used for new or irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies irrespective of the nuclear fuel UO 2 , PuO 2 ... It can also be used to transport equipment with a footprint similar to that of a nuclear fuel assembly, for example pencil boxes, quivers, or nuclear fuel assembly skeletons.
  • the container described above has many advantages.
  • the operation of the container is particularly simple, since it comprises only a small number of screws 47 for adjusting the position of the door, and a small number of fixing screws 63.
  • the container described above can have multiple variants.
  • the means for moving the doors 17A and 17B on the support 3 may have other structures than that described above.
  • they may consist of rods arranged to form a pantograph arm.
  • Such arms are known from the state of the art and will not be described in detail here. They make it possible to obtain a movement of the door to move from its release position to its position of first holding of rotation then of translation, like the means of displacement with screws and nuts described above.
  • these displacement means do not necessarily ensure a translational movement and then rotation.
  • each door moves from its holding position to its release position by a simple translational movement along the screws 47 perpendicular to the upper face 19 of the support 13, without 180 ° rotation as in FIG. exemplary embodiment described above.
  • the release position corresponds substantially to the position of the door shown on the left side of the figure 5 .
  • the introduction of nuclear fuel assemblies into dwellings is then done by a longitudinal movement, using a bridge.
  • the removal of assemblies out of housing is done in the same way.
  • the door is removable, the screws 47 can be replaced in this case by fixing screws of the type of the screws 63. To load and unload the assemblies in the housing, then unscrews all the screws of fixing, then completely remove the doors 17A, 17B, for example using a crane.
  • Protective means may be arranged around the nuclear fuel assemblies, inside the support 13 and / or the doors 17A, 17B.
  • These protections can be of different types. They can be of the mechanical type, so as to stiffen the internal equipment of the container and to protect the fuel assemblies in case of fall of this container or shock.
  • These protections can also be of neutron type, and absorb the neutrons emitted by the nuclear fuel assemblies.
  • These protections may also be of the thermal type, so as to prevent the heat generated by the fuel assembly is conducted through the support or the door.
  • the protections can also be of the biological type and absorb the ionizing radiation emitted by the nuclear fuel assemblies, for example gamma radiation. It is even possible that these protections are sufficient to transport a nuclear fuel assembly, without an outer envelope 2 is necessary.
  • the container described above is suitable for transporting nuclear fuel assemblies for BWR reactor (boiling water reactor) or PWR (pressurized water reactor). These assemblies can be 17x17, 10x10, 18x18, or any other type. These numbers characterize the square network according to which the fuel rods are arranged. Thus, a 17 x 17 assembly has a network of seventeen rows of seventeen pencils or accessories.
  • the container may also be adapted to transport nuclear fuel assemblies whose section is not square, but for example rectangular or hexagonal.
  • the faces 23 of the first bearing surface 21 form between them an angle of about 60 °.
  • the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 are between them an angle of 60 °.
  • the assembly is arranged in the housing so that a first side of the hexagon is in contact with one of the faces 23, and a second side of the hexagon is in contact with the other face 23
  • a third side of the hexagon, connecting the first and second sides, extends from one face 23 to the other, facing the top 25. This third side is not pressed against the bearing surface 21
  • two other sides of the hexagon rests against the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39, one side of the hexagon extending between these two faces 41, facing the top 43.
  • the internal structure of the container can be adapted to transport nuclear fuel assemblies of octagonal section, triangular, or any other polygonal section.
  • the two pairs of faces 23 and 41 of the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 form a continuous square, of variable size depending on the section of the assembly to be transported, as illustrated. on the Figure 7A .
  • the means for adjusting the spacing between the first and second surfaces 21 and 39 may comprise means for moving in a coordinated manner the four faces 23 and 41 along each other, so as to vary the size of the square. The faces 23 and 41 remain perpendicular to each other during this movement.
  • the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 each comprise a large face 23, 41 and a small face 23 ', 41' less wide than in the large face in a transverse plane.
  • the first and second surfaces 21, 39 each further comprise a clearance 80 bordering the small face and delimited in part by a guide surface 82.
  • the guide surfaces 82 extend substantially parallel to the diagonal passing through the vertices 25 and 43, that is to say vertically on the Figure 7B .
  • the two large faces 23, 41 are parallel and opposite, and the two small faces 23 ', 41' are parallel and opposite. Both sides of the same bearing surface are typically perpendicular to each other.
  • the surfaces 82 make it possible to guide the relative displacement of the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39. In addition, they constitute baffles for improving the seal.
  • bearing surfaces 21 and 39 are delimited by two identical parts that are fitted back-to-back, which reduces production costs.
  • the faces of the first surface 21 form between them an angle substantially equal to the angle that the faces of the second surface 39 form between them.
  • This angle is between 60 ° and 135 °, depending on the geometry of the nuclear fuel assemblies to be transported.
  • the container 1 can receive a number of nuclear fuel assemblies different from two.
  • it can be designed to receive a single nuclear fuel assembly, or in some variants a much higher number, for example six or eight.
  • the container 1 may also comprise, in addition to the first surface and the second longitudinal support surface, a third longitudinal bearing surface.
  • longitudinal bearing surfaces may comprise, as in the examples described above, each two longitudinal faces, but the number of faces may also be different, for example a single longitudinal face can be envisaged, three longitudinal faces can be envisaged.
  • three longitudinal bearing surfaces may be provided, each comprising a single bearing face, these faces being inclined relative to each other by 120 ° when they are in support against an assembly.
  • first surface comprising three faces inclined relative to each other by 120 ° and intended to bear on consecutive faces of a nuclear fuel assembly.
  • the second surface may then comprise a single support surface.
  • the same surface comprises several longitudinal faces, they are not necessarily intersecting at a vertex as described above.
  • the longitudinal bearing surfaces bear directly on the nuclear fuel assemblies, without using movable holding pads.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Package Frames And Binding Bands (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne en général les conteneurs de transport pour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire.The invention generally relates to transport containers for nuclear fuel assemblies.

Plus précisément, l'invention concerne, selon un premier aspect, un conteneur de transport pour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire de forme allongée suivant une direction longitudinale, du type comprenant un support présentant au moins une première surface longitudinale d'appui délimitant un logement longitudinal de réception d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire, et une porte présentant une deuxième surface longitudinale d'appui, la porte étant mobile entre une position de maintien de l'assemblage combustible nucléaire entre les deux surfaces longitudinales et une position de libération dans laquelle l'assemblage est libre par rapport au support.More specifically, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a transport container for elongated nuclear fuel assemblies in a longitudinal direction, of the type comprising a support having at least a first longitudinal bearing surface delimiting a longitudinal housing. for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, and a door having a second longitudinal bearing surface, the door being movable between a holding position of the nuclear fuel assembly between the two longitudinal surfaces and a release position in which the assembly is free relative to the support.

Le document WO-99/41 754 décrit un tel conteneur. Dans ce conteneur, la deuxième surface longitudinale prend appui sur un assemblage de combustible nucléaire disposé dans le logement grâce à des patins d'appui montés mobiles sur la porte. Ces patins sont répartis longitudinalement pour venir chacun s'appuyer sur une grille du squelette de l'assemblage de combustible nucléaire. Chaque type d'assemblage ayant une section transversale et des positions de grille spécifiques, il est nécessaire d'utiliser pour chaque type d'assemblage une porte spécifique, ce qui est compliqué et coûteux.The document WO-99 / 41,754 describes such a container. In this container, the second longitudinal surface is supported on a nuclear fuel assembly disposed in the housing with support pads mounted movably on the door. These pads are distributed longitudinally to each come to rely on a grid of the skeleton of the nuclear fuel assembly. Each type of assembly having a cross section and specific grid positions, it is necessary to use for each type of assembly a specific door, which is complicated and expensive.

Des conteneurs semblables sont divulgués par exemple par US6748042 , EP0506512 , JP60147699 et JP 08062389 .Similar containers are disclosed for example by US6748042 , EP0506512 , JP60147699 and JP 08062389 .

Dans ce contexte, l'invention vise à proposer un conteneur apte à transporter plusieurs types d'assemblage et qui soit plus facilement adaptable à chacun d'eux.In this context, the invention aims to provide a container capable of transporting several types of assembly and which is more easily adaptable to each of them.

Dans ce but, l'invention porte sur un conteneur de transport du type précité, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour ajuster l'écartement entre les première et deuxième surfaces en position de maintien de la porte.For this purpose, the invention relates to a transport container of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the spacing between the first and second surfaces in the door holding position.

Le conteneur peut également présenter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques ci-dessous, considérées individuellement ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles :

  • la première surface comprend une première paire de faces longitudinales disposées en V, et la deuxième surface comprend une deuxième paire de faces longitudinales disposées en V, parallèles et opposées aux faces de la première paire lorsque la porte est en position de maintien ;
  • les première et deuxième paires de faces en V convergent respectivement vers des premier et second sommets, les moyens d'ajustement comprenant des moyens pour ajuster la position de la porte par rapport au support par translation de la porte suivant une direction transversale d'ajustement passant par les premier et second sommets lorsque la porte est en position de maintien ;
  • le support comprend des surfaces longitudinales parallèles de guidage en translation de la porte suivant la direction d'ajustement ;
  • le conteneur comprend des moyens de déplacement de la porte par rapport au support entre ses positions de maintien et de libération par translation le long de la direction d'ajustement puis rotation autour d'au moins un axe longitudinal ;
  • les faces de la première paire forment entre elles un angle sensiblement égal à celui que les faces de la deuxième paire forment entre elles, cet angle étant compris entre 60°et 135° ;
  • la deuxième surface longitudinale d'appui est dépourvue de patins mobiles d'appui sur un assemblage de combustible nucléaire ; et
  • la deuxième surface longitudinale d'appui est apte à s'appuyer directement sur un assemblage de combustible nucléaire.
The container may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in any technically feasible combination:
  • the first surface comprises a first pair of longitudinal faces arranged in V, and the second surface comprises a second pair of longitudinal faces arranged in V, parallel and opposite to the faces of the first pair when the door is in the holding position;
  • the first and second pairs of V-faces converge respectively to first and second vertices, the adjustment means comprising means for adjusting the position of the door relative to the support by translation of the door in a transverse direction of adjustment by the first and second vertices when the door is in the holding position;
  • the support comprises parallel longitudinal surfaces for guiding the door in translation in the direction of adjustment;
  • the container comprises means for moving the door relative to the support between its holding and translational release positions along the direction of adjustment and rotation about at least one longitudinal axis;
  • the faces of the first pair form between them an angle substantially equal to that which the faces of the second pair form between them, this angle being between 60 ° and 135 °;
  • the second longitudinal bearing surface is devoid of mobile support pads on a nuclear fuel assembly; and
  • the second longitudinal support surface is able to bear directly on a nuclear fuel assembly.

Selon un second aspect, l'invention concerne l'utilisation d'un conteneur tel que défini ci-dessus pour le transport d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire.According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the use of a container as defined above for the transport of a nuclear fuel assembly.

Selon une variante, on utilise le conteneur avec le même support et la même porte pour transporter des assemblages de combustible nucléaire d'au moins deux types différents.According to one variant, the container is used with the same support and the same door for transporting nuclear fuel assemblies of at least two different types.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui en est donnée ci-dessous, à titre indicatif et nullement limitatif, en référence aux figures annexées, parmi lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un conteneur de transport selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en bout du conteneur, suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3A est une vue de côté de la partie arrière de la structure interne du conteneur des figures 1 et 2, la demi-coquille inférieure de l'enveloppe externe étant représentée en traits mixtes ;
  • la figure 3B est une vue de dessus de la structure interne, considérée suivant la flèche IIIB de la figure 3A ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe de la structure interne des figures 3A et 3B, dans un plan transversal, pris selon les flèches IV de la figure 3A, montrant deux logements de réception d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire dont les portes sont représentées en position de maintien, l'écartement entre les deux surfaces d'appui du logement de gauche étant adapté pour un assemblage de faible section et l'écartement entre les deux surfaces d'appui du logement de droite étant adapté pour un assemblage de grande section ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 4, la porte du logement de droite étant représentée en position de libération, la porte du logement de gauche étant représentée dans une position décalée au maximum vers le haut, intermédiaire entre les positions de maintien et de libération ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue agrandie en coupe des moyens de déplacement d'une porte, pris selon les flèches VI de la figure 4 ; et
  • les figures 7A et 7B sont des représentations schématiques simplifiées, en coupe transversale, des surfaces d'appui de la structure interne du conteneur, pour deux variantes de réalisation de l'invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:
  • the figure 1 is a side view of a transport container according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is an end view of the container, following the arrow II of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3A is a side view of the rear part of the inner structure of the container of Figures 1 and 2 the lower half-shell of the outer shell being shown in phantom lines;
  • the figure 3B is a top view of the internal structure, considered according to the arrow IIIB of the figure 3A ;
  • the figure 4 is a sectional view of the internal structure of Figures 3A and 3B , in a transverse plane, taken according to the arrows IV of the figure 3A , showing two nuclear fuel assembly receiving housings whose doors are shown in the holding position, the spacing between the two bearing surfaces of the left housing being adapted for a small section assembly and the spacing between the two bearing surfaces of the right housing being adapted for a large section assembly;
  • the figure 5 is a view similar to that of the figure 4 the door of the right-hand housing being shown in the release position, the door of the left-hand housing being shown in a position at most offset upwards, intermediate between the holding and releasing positions;
  • the figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the means of moving a door, taken according to the arrows VI of the figure 4 ; and
  • the Figures 7A and 7B are simplified schematic representations, in cross section, bearing surfaces of the internal structure of the container, for two embodiments of the invention.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, on voit un conteneur 1 de transport d'assemblages de combustible neufs pour un réacteur nucléaire à eau sous pression.On the Figures 1 and 2 we see a container 1 for transporting new fuel assemblies for a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Le conteneur de transport 1, qui est conçu pour le transport de deux assemblages de combustible en position horizontale, comporte une enveloppe externe 2 constituée d'une demi-coquille inférieure 2a et d'une demi-coquille supérieure 2b rapportées l'une sur l'autre suivant un plan de jonction.The transport container 1, which is designed for transporting two fuel assemblies in a horizontal position, comprises an outer shell 2 consisting of a lower half-shell 2a and a half-shell upper 2b reported on one another according to a junction plane.

Chacune des demi-coquilles 2a et 2b est réalisée en tôle d'acier et comporte des arceaux de renforcement respectifs 3a, 3b répartis suivant la longueur de la demi-coquille.Each of the half-shells 2a and 2b is made of sheet steel and has respective reinforcement arches 3a, 3b distributed along the length of the half-shell.

A la partie inférieure de la demi-coquille inférieure 2a sont également fixés des profilés 4 et 4' constituant des pieds de support du conteneur. De plus, des éléments d'appui réglables 5 et 5' comportant des vérins à vis et solidaires d'une partie d'extrémité longitudinale du conteneur permettent de régler l'inclinaison du conteneur reposant sur une surface de support, autour de l'axe longitudinal du conteneur et autour d'un axe transversal, respectivement.At the lower part of the lower half-shell 2a are also fixed profiles 4 and 4 'constituting support feet of the container. In addition, adjustable support elements 5 and 5 'comprising screw jacks and secured to a longitudinal end portion of the container to adjust the inclination of the container resting on a support surface, about the axis longitudinal axis of the container and around a transverse axis, respectively.

Les deux demi-coquilles 2a et 2b sont rapportées l'une sur l'autre par l'intermédiaire de flasques périphériques constituant une partie d'appui plane supérieure de la demi-coquille inférieure 2a et une partie d'appui inférieure plane de la demi-coquille supérieure 2b du conteneur.The two half-shells 2a and 2b are attached to one another via peripheral flanges constituting an upper flat bearing portion of the lower half-shell 2a and a lower flat bearing portion of the half top shell 2b of the container.

Dans la position de fermeture du conteneur représentée sur les figures 1 et 2, les flasques des deux demi-coquilles 2a et 2b sont rapportés et fixés l'un sur l'autre par des vis et des écrous et constituent une bride d'assemblage 6.In the closed position of the container shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , the flanges of the two half-shells 2a and 2b are attached and fixed to one another by screws and nuts and constitute an assembly flange 6.

Les figures 3A et 3B montrent une partie du conteneur à l'état ouvert, c'est-à-dire avec la demi-coquille supérieure de l'enveloppe du conteneur séparée de la demi-coquille inférieure et enlevée.The Figures 3A and 3B show a part of the container in the open state, that is to say with the upper half-shell of the container shell separated from the lower half-shell and removed.

Sur les figures 3A et 3B, on voit la structure interne du conteneur, désignée de manière générale par le repère 7, qui comporte en particulier un berceau 8 venant reposer sur des supports 9 constitués par des plots amortisseurs, dans la demi-coquille inférieure 2a de l'enveloppe externe 2 du conteneur. Une seconde partie de la structure interne du conteneur est constituée par un ensemble 10 de réception et de support de deux assemblages de combustible en position horizontale placés côte à côte. L'ensemble 10, qui repose sur le berceau 8, délimite deux logements entièrement fermés, pour deux assemblages de combustible, comme il sera expliqué plus loin.On the Figures 3A and 3B , we see the internal structure of the container, generally designated by the reference 7, which comprises in particular a cradle 8 resting on supports 9 constituted by damping pads, in the lower half-shell 2a of the outer shell 2 of the container. A second part of the internal structure of the container is constituted by an assembly 10 for receiving and supporting two fuel assemblies in horizontal position placed side by side. The assembly 10, which rests on the cradle 8, delimits two fully enclosed housing for two fuel assemblies, as will be explained later.

Le berceau 8 comporte deux longerons 8a, 8b constitués par des cornières fixées sur les plots de support 9, qui sont maintenues dans des dispositions parallèles avec un écartement correspondant à la largeur de l'ensemble de réception 10 par des traverses 8c. A l'une de ses extrémités, le berceau comporte un ensemble de rigidification et de montage pivotant comprenant deux plaques 11 a et 11 b parallèles entre elles et deux traverses 12 constituées par des profilés creux fixés sous les longerons du berceau et aux plaques 11 a et 11 b.The cradle 8 comprises two longitudinal members 8a, 8b constituted by brackets fixed on the support pads 9, which are held in parallel arrangements with a spacing corresponding to the width of the receiving assembly 10 by cross members 8c. At one of its ends, the cradle comprises a set of stiffening and pivoting mounting comprising two plates 11a and 11b parallel to each other and two crosspieces 12 constituted by hollow sections fixed under the longitudinal members of the cradle and to the plates 11a. and 11 b.

Le montage pivotant de l'ensemble 10 sur la demi-coquille inférieure du conteneur, autour d'un axe horizontal de direction transversale, est assuré par l'intermédiaire de l'ensemble de rigidification et de montage pivotant comportant les plaques 11 a et 11 b.The pivoting assembly of the assembly 10 on the lower half-shell of the container, around a horizontal axis of transverse direction, is provided by means of the stiffening and pivoting mounting assembly comprising the plates 11a and 11 b.

De plus, comme il sera expliqué plus loin, une plaque de retenue 11c des assemblages de combustible est également montée entre les plaques 11a et 11b.In addition, as will be explained later, a retaining plate 11c of the fuel assemblies is also mounted between the plates 11a and 11b.

Comme il est visible sur la figure 3B, de manière à limiter l'effet d'un choc sur les assemblages de combustible, par exemple l'effet d'une chute du conteneur 1, entre l'extrémité longitudinale de la structure interne 7 et la paroi interne d'extrémité de l'enveloppe externe 2, de forme circulaire, est intercalé un amortisseur 43. L'amortisseur 43, en forme de disque, dont la section est identique à la section interne de l'enveloppe du conteneur, est constitué par un disque de balsa entouré par une enveloppe en tôle d'acier inoxydable. Un amortisseur identique est disposé à la seconde extrémité longitudinale du conteneur, entre la seconde extrémité longitudinale de la structure interne et la seconde extrémité de l'enveloppe externe.As it is visible on the figure 3B , so as to limit the effect of a shock on the fuel assemblies, for example the effect of a fall of the container 1, between the longitudinal end of the internal structure 7 and the inner end wall of the outer casing 2, of circular shape, is interposed a damper 43. The damper 43, disk-shaped, whose section is identical to the internal section of the container shell, is constituted by a balsa disk surrounded by a shell made of stainless steel sheet. An identical damper is disposed at the second longitudinal end of the container, between the second longitudinal end of the inner structure and the second end of the outer casing.

Comme on le voit sur la figure 4, l'ensemble 10 comprend un support 13 de forme parallélépipédique dans lequel sont ménagés les logements 15A et 15B de réception d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire, et deux portes 17A et 17B susceptibles de fermer les logements 15A et 15B. Le support 13 est allongé longitudinalement, et présente une section transver sale rectangulaire, constante sur toute la longueur longitudinale du support 13. Les deux logements 15A et 15B s'étendent longitudinalement, parallèlement l'un à l'autre, et s'ouvrent dans une face supérieure 19 du support 13.As we see on the figure 4 , the assembly 10 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped support 13 in which are formed housing 15A and 15B for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, and two doors 17A and 17B capable of closing the housing 15A and 15B. The support 13 is longitudinally elongated, and has a rectangular rectangular cross section that is constant over the entire longitudinal length of the support 13. The two housings 15A and 15B extend longitudinally, parallel to one another, and open in an upper face 19 of the support 13.

Les logements 15A et 15B sont identiques. Un seul d'entre eux sera décrit ci-dessous. De même, les portes 17A et 17B sont identiques, et une seule d'entre elles sera décrite ci-dessous.The housings 15A and 15B are identical. Only one of them will be described below. Similarly, the doors 17A and 17B are identical, and only one of them will be described below.

Le fond du logement 15B est délimité par une première surface d'appui en V21, comprenant une première paire de faces longitudinales 23 formant entre elles un angle de 90°. La première paire de faces 23, considérée en section transversale, converge vers un sommet 25, correspondant au point le plus profond du logement 15B et où les faces 23 se rejoignent. Les deux faces 23 se prolongent vers le haut de la figure 4, c'est-à-dire vers la face supérieure 19, par deux surfaces de guidage inférieures 27, parallèles entre elles et perpendiculaires à la face 19, puis par deux surfaces de guidage supérieures 29, elles aussi parallèles entre elles et perpendiculaires à la face 19.The bottom of the housing 15B is delimited by a first bearing surface V21, comprising a first pair of longitudinal faces 23 forming between them an angle of 90 °. The first pair of faces 23, considered in cross section, converges to a vertex 25, corresponding to the deepest point of the housing 15B and where the faces 23 meet. The two faces 23 extend towards the top of the figure 4 , that is to say towards the upper face 19, by two lower guide surfaces 27, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the face 19, then by two upper guide surfaces 29, also parallel to each other and perpendicular to the face 19.

Les surfaces 27 présentent entre elles un écartement transversal inférieur à celui des surfaces 29, de telle sorte que des épaulements 31 sont ménagés entre les surfaces 27 et 29.The surfaces 27 have between them a transverse spacing smaller than that of the surfaces 29, so that shoulders 31 are formed between the surfaces 27 and 29.

La porte 17B s'étend sur toute la longueur longitudinale du logement 15B. Elle est mobile entre une position de maintien de l'assemblage de combustible nucléaire dans le logement 15B, représentée sur la figure 4, et une position de libération dans laquelle l'assemblage est libre par rapport au support 13, représentée sur la figure 5. Ces positions seront décrites en détail plus loin.The door 17B extends over the entire longitudinal length of the housing 15B. It is movable between a holding position of the nuclear fuel assembly in the housing 15B, shown in FIG. figure 4 , and a release position in which the assembly is free relative to the support 13, represented on the figure 5 . These positions will be described in detail below.

La porte 17B comprend une partie supérieure 33 et une partie inférieure 35 de largeur réduite par rapport à la partie 33, la largeur correspondant à la direction transversale quand la porte est en position de maintien. La partie supérieure 33 comprend donc deux bords latéraux 36 en saillie de part et d'autre de la partie 35.The door 17B comprises an upper portion 33 and a lower portion 35 of reduced width relative to the portion 33, the width corresponding to the transverse direction when the door is in the holding position. The upper part 33 thus comprises two lateral edges 36 projecting on either side of the part 35.

Les largeurs respectives des parties 33 et 35 correspondent à l'écartement transversal entre respectivement les surfaces de guidage supérieures 29 et inférieures 27, et sont constantes le long de tout le logement 15B.The respective widths of the portions 33 and 35 correspond to the transverse spacing between the upper and lower guide surfaces 29 respectively, and are constant along the entire housing 15B.

La partie supérieure 33 est délimitée à l'opposé de la partie 35 par une surface supérieure 37 sensiblement plane. La partie inférieure 35 est délimitée à l'opposé de la partie 33 par une deuxième surface longitudinale d'appui 39 présentant, dans un plan transversal, une forme de W.The upper portion 33 is delimited opposite the portion 35 by a substantially flat upper surface 37. The lower part 35 is delimited opposite the portion 33 by a second longitudinal bearing surface 39 having, in a transverse plane, a shape of W.

La deuxième surface d'appui 39 comprend au centre une deuxième paire de faces longitudinales 41 disposées en V, formant entre elles un angle de 90°. Les faces 41 convergent vers un second sommet 43 où elles se rejoignent. La deuxième face d'appui 39 comprend également deux faces latérales 45, prolongeant les faces 41 en s'écartant du sommet 43. Les faces 45 sont sensiblement perpendiculaires aux faces 41.The second bearing surface 39 comprises in the center a second pair of longitudinal faces 41 arranged in V, forming between them an angle of 90 °. The faces 41 converge to a second vertex 43 where they meet. The second bearing face 39 also comprises two lateral faces 45, extending the faces 41 away from the vertex 43. The faces 45 are substantially perpendicular to the faces 41.

Les faces 23 de la première paire sont plus larges que les faces 41 de la deuxième paire, considérées dans un plan transversal.The faces 23 of the first pair are wider than the faces 41 of the second pair, considered in a transverse plane.

L'ensemble 10 comprend également pour chaque porte 17A, 17B des moyens de déplacement de la porte par rapport au support 13 entre ses positions de maintien et de libération, ces moyens permettant en outre d'ajuster l'écartement entre les première et deuxième surfaces 23 et 39 quand la porte occupe sa position de maintien. On ne décrira ici que les moyens de déplacement de la porte 17B, ceux de la porte 17A étant identiques.The assembly 10 also comprises, for each door 17A, 17B, means for moving the door relative to the support 13 between its holding and releasing positions, these means also making it possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second surfaces. 23 and 39 when the door occupies its holding position. Here we will describe only the means of movement of the door 17B, those of the door 17A being identical.

Les moyens de déplacement comprennent par exemple deux vis 47 montées libres en rotation sur le support 13, une pluralité d'écrous 49 mobiles le long des vis 47 et chacun pourvu de deux bouts d'axe 51 (fig. 6), la porte 17B étant montée mobile en rotation autour des bouts d'axe 51 et étant liée en translation le long des vis 47 aux écrous 49.The displacement means comprise for example two screws 47 rotatably mounted on the support 13, a plurality of nuts 49 movable along the screws 47 and each provided with two ends of the axis 51 ( Fig. 6 ), the door 17B being rotatably mounted around the axis ends 51 and being translationally connected along the screws 47 to the nuts 49.

Comme on le voit sur la figure 4, les vis 47 s'étendent suivant une direction verticale sur la figure 4, perpendiculairement à la face supérieure 19. Elles sont engagées par leurs extrémités libres dans des paliers 53 ménagés dans l'épaulement 31 du support 13. Les vis 47 sont bloquées en translation verticalement dans les paliers 53 et sont libres en rotation dans ces paliers. Les paliers 53 sont disposés dans l'épaulement 31 le plus éloigné du logement 15A.As we see on the figure 4 , the screws 47 extend in a vertical direction on the figure 4 , perpendicular to the upper face 19. They are engaged by their free ends in bearings 53 formed in the shoulder 31 of the support 13. The screws 47 are locked in translation vertically in the bearings 53 and are free to rotate in these bearings. The bearings 53 are arranged in the shoulder 31 farthest from the housing 15A.

Les vis 47 sont réparties longitudinalement le long de la porte 17B.The screws 47 are distributed longitudinally along the door 17B.

La longueur verticale des vis 47 est telle que leurs têtes 55 sont disposées en dehors du support 13, en saillie au-dessus de la face supérieure 19.The vertical length of the screws 47 is such that their heads 55 are arranged outside the support 13, projecting above the upper face 19.

Comme on le voit sur les figures 4 à 6, la porte 17B comprend, au niveau de chaque vis 47, un évidement 57, ménagé dans le bord 36 de la partie supérieure 33.As we see on the Figures 4 to 6 , the door 17B comprises, at each screw 47, a recess 57 formed in the edge 36 of the upper part 33.

Les évidements 57 sont ménagés dans toute l'épaisseur verticale du bord 36, les vis 47 traversant les évidements 57. Les écrous 49 sont disposés dans les évidements 57.The recesses 57 are formed in the entire vertical thickness of the edge 36, the screws 47 passing through the recesses 57. The nuts 49 are arranged in the recesses 57.

La porte 17B comprend également des trous borgnes 59 ménagés, longitudinalement dans l'épaisseur du bord 36 et débouchant dans chaque évidement 57.The door 17B also comprises blind holes 59 formed longitudinally in the thickness of the edge 36 and opening into each recess 57.

Comme le montre la figure 6, les bouts d'axe 51 sont solidaires des écrous 49 et s'étendent longitudinalement à partir des écrous 49. Ils sont engagés dans les trous borgnes 59, et sont libres en rotation dans ces trous.As shown in figure 6 the shaft ends 51 are integral with the nuts 49 and extend longitudinally from the nuts 49. They are engaged in the blind holes 59, and are free to rotate in these holes.

L'ensemble 10 comprend encore pour chaque logement 15A, 15B une pluralité d'orifices filetés 61 ménagés dans l'épaulement 31 opposé aux vis 47, et une pluralité de vis 63 de fixation de la porte 17A, 17B en position de maintien, susceptibles d'être vissées dans les orifices 61. Le nombre de vis 63 peut par exemple être compris entre dix et quinze. On ne décrira ici que les moyens de fixation de la porte 17B.The assembly 10 further comprises for each housing 15A, 15B a plurality of threaded orifices 61 formed in the shoulder 31 opposite to the screws 47, and a plurality of screws 63 for fixing the door 17A, 17B in the holding position, capable of to be screwed into the orifices 61. The number of screws 63 may for example be between ten and fifteen. We will describe here only the means for fixing the door 17B.

Comme le montre la figure 4, les vis de fixation 63 comprennent chacune une partie d'extrémité 65 filetée, une tête 67 opposée à la partie 65, et une partie lisse 69 interposée entre la tête 67 et la partie filetée 65. La porte 17B comprend une pluralité de trous lisses 71 (fig. 5), ménagés dans le bord 36 situé du côté du logement 15A en position de maintien. Les vis 63 sont engagées dans les trous lisses 71, le tronçon lisse 69 étant disposé dans le trou lisse 71, la tête 67 venant porter contre la face supérieure 37 de la porte 17B, la partie filetée 65 étant vissée dans l'orifice fileté 61 du support. Les orifices 61 et 71 et les vis de fixation 63 sont répartis régulièrement le long du logement 15B.As shown in figure 4 the fixing screws 63 each comprise a threaded end portion 65, a head 67 opposite to the portion 65, and a smooth portion 69 interposed between the head 67 and the threaded portion 65. The door 17B comprises a plurality of plain holes 71 ( Fig. 5 ), formed in the edge 36 located on the side of the housing 15A in the holding position. The screws 63 are engaged in the smooth holes 71, the smooth section 69 being disposed in the smooth hole 71, the head 67 coming to bear against the upper face 37 of the door 17B, the threaded portion 65 being screwed into the threaded hole 61 of the support. The orifices 61 and 71 and the fixing screws 63 are evenly distributed along the housing 15B.

Par ailleurs, les portes 17A, 17B comprennent chacune deux poignées 73 en saillie vers le haut par rapport à la face 37. Ces poignées 73 sont disposées à proximité des extrémités longitudinales des portes.Furthermore, the doors 17A, 17B each comprise two handles 73 projecting upwards with respect to the face 37. These handles 73 are arranged near the longitudinal ends of the doors.

Lorsque la porte 17A,17B est en position de maintien, sa partie supérieure 33 est engagée entre les surfaces de guidage supérieure 29 et la partie inférieure 35 est engagée entre les surfaces de guidage inférieures 27. La deuxième surface d'appui 39 est tournée vers le fond du logement 15A,15B, et les faces 41 de la deuxième paire sont parallèles et opposées aux faces 23 de la première paire. Les premier et second sommets 23 et 43 sont alors alignés verticalement sur la figure 4, c'est-à-dire suivant une direction perpendiculaire à la face 19, et la surface supérieure 37 est parallèle à la face 19.When the door 17A, 17B is in the holding position, its upper portion 33 is engaged between the upper guide surfaces 29 and the portion 35 is engaged between the lower guide surfaces 27. The second bearing surface 39 is turned towards the bottom of the housing 15A, 15B, and the faces 41 of the second pair are parallel and opposite the faces 23 of the first pair. The first and second vertices 23 and 43 are then aligned vertically on the figure 4 , that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the face 19, and the upper surface 37 is parallel to the face 19.

La position de libération de la porte 17B est illustrée sur la figure 5. Dans cette position, la porte 17B est montée au maximum le long des vis 47, et est basculée vers l'extérieur du logement 15B autour des axes 51. Les écrous 49 sont en butée contre les têtes 55 des vis 47. La surface supérieure 37 de la porte 17B s'étend sensiblement horizontalement, au niveau de la face supérieure 19, la deuxième surface d'appui 39 étant tournée vers le haut de la figure 5, à l'opposé du logement 15B. La position de libération de la porte 17A est symétrique de la position de libération de la porte 17B par rapport à un plan longitudinal médian des logements 15A et 15B.The release position of the door 17B is illustrated on the figure 5 . In this position, the door 17B is mounted at the maximum along the screws 47, and is tilted outwardly of the housing 15B about the axes 51. The nuts 49 are in abutment against the heads 55 of the screws 47. The upper surface 37 of the door 17B extends substantially horizontally, at the upper face 19, the second bearing surface 39 being turned towards the top of the figure 5 opposite housing 15B. The release position of the door 17A is symmetrical with the release position of the door 17B with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the housings 15A and 15B.

On va maintenant expliquer le fonctionnement du conteneur décrit ci-dessus.We will now explain the operation of the container described above.

Pour charger des assemblages de combustible nucléaire dans le conteneur, on désolidarise d'abord les deux demi-coquilles 2a et 2b l'une de l'autre en dévissant les vis de la bride 6, et on retire la demi-coquille supérieure 2b. Puis, on désolidarise l'ensemble 10 du berceau 8 et on fait basculer l'ensemble 10 dans une position sensiblement verticale autour de l'axe transversal situé à l'une des extrémités du berceau.To load nuclear fuel assemblies in the container, first dissociates the two half-shells 2a and 2b from each other by unscrewing the screws of the flange 6, and the upper half-shell 2b is removed. Then, the assembly 10 is disengaged from the cradle 8 and the assembly 10 is tilted in a substantially vertical position about the transverse axis located at one end of the cradle.

Les portes 17A et 17B sont alors placées en position de libération, de manière à donner accès aux logements 15A et 15B.The doors 17A and 17B are then placed in the release position, so as to give access to the housings 15A and 15B.

Un assemblage de combustible nucléaire peut alors être placé dans chacun des logements 15A et 15B, par un outil de levage d'assemblages de combustible tel que le treuil d'un pont roulant, en déplaçant l'assemblage horizontalement, suivant la flèche F1 de la figure 5. Les assemblages de combustible viennent reposer, par l'intermédiaire de leurs embouts inférieurs, sur la plaque 11C de support d'assemblages de combustible fixée entre les deux plaques 11A et 11B de l'ensemble 10.A nuclear fuel assembly can then be placed in each of the housings 15A and 15B, by a fuel assembly lifting tool such as the winch of a traveling crane, by displacing the assembly horizontally, along the arrow F1 of the figure 5 . The fuel assemblies come to rest, via their lower ends, on the fuel assembly support plate 11C fixed between the two plates 11A and 11B of the assembly 10.

Dans le cas d'assemblages de combustible de section carrée, un assemblage est disposé dans chaque logement 15A, 15B de façon à ce que deux côtés latéraux voisins de cet assemblage reposent sur les faces 23 de la première surface d'appui 21, comme illustré sur la partie gauche de la figure 5. L'arête séparant les deux côtés voisins de l'assemblage de combustible est disposée le long du sommet 25.In the case of square-section fuel assemblies, an assembly is arranged in each housing 15A, 15B so that two adjacent lateral sides of this assembly rest on the faces 23 of the first bearing surface 21, as illustrated. on the left side of the figure 5 . The edge separating the two adjacent sides of the fuel assembly is disposed along the top 25.

Une fois les assemblages en place dans les logements 15A, 15B, on ferme les portes 17A, 17B. Pour cela, on fait pivoter chaque porte 17A, 17B autour des axes 51, sur 180° environ, la porte occupant alors une position intermédiaire illustrée sur la partie gauche de la figure 5. Dans cette position intermédiaire, la partie inférieure 35 de la porte est engagée dans le logement, les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39 étant séparées de l'assemblage de combustible par un espace libre.Once the assemblies in place in the housing 15A, 15B, the doors 17A, 17B are closed. For this purpose, each door 17A, 17B is pivoted about the axes 51, about 180 °, the door then occupying an intermediate position illustrated on the left side of the door. figure 5 . In this intermediate position, the lower part 35 of the door is engaged in the housing, the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 being separated from the fuel assembly by a free space.

Puis, on fait tourner les vis 47 dans les paliers 53 à l'aide d'outils adaptés, de façon à faire descendre les écrous 49 le long des vis 47, les bouts d'axe 51 entraînant la porte vers l'assemblage disposé dans le logement.Then, the screws 47 are rotated in the bearings 53 by means of suitable tools, so as to lower the nuts 49 along the screws 47, the axis ends 51 driving the door to the assembly disposed in housing.

Quand les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39 arrivent au contact de l'assemblage de combustible nucléaire, on interrompt le mouvement de translation du couvercle 17A, 17B. On observera que la deuxième surface d'appui 39 vient directement au contact de l'assemblage de combustible nucléaire. En particulier, la porte 17B, tout comme la porte 17A, est dépourvue de patins d'appui, tels que ceux qui étaient prévus dans l'état de la technique au droit de chacune des grilles d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire à transporter.When the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 come into contact with the nuclear fuel assembly, the translational movement of the cover 17A, 17B is interrupted. It will be observed that the second bearing surface 39 comes directly into contact with the nuclear fuel assembly. In particular, the door 17B, like the door 17A, is devoid of support pads, such as those provided in the state of the art to the right of each of the grids of a nuclear fuel assembly to be transported.

On notera que le mouvement de translation se fait selon une direction matérialisée par la flèche F1 de la figure 5, et passant par les sommets 25 et 43 des deux surfaces d'appui 21 et 39.It will be noted that the translational movement is in a direction indicated by the arrow F1 of the figure 5 , and passing through the vertices 25 and 43 of the two bearing surfaces 21 and 39.

Cette deuxième partie du mouvement de la porte 17A,17B permet d'ajuster l'écartement entre les premières et deuxièmes surfaces d'appui 21 et 39 en position de maintien de la porte, en fonction de la taille du combustible.This second part of the movement of the door 17A, 17B makes it possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 in the position for holding the door, depending on the size of the fuel.

En effet, comme on le voit sur la figure 4, pour un combustible à section carrée de grande taille, on interrompra plus tôt le mouvement de translation de la porte 17A,17B. La section d'un tel combustible est matérialisée par le trait marqué CG de la partie droite de la figure 4. Dans ce cas, les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39 viennent porter contre les deux côtés voisins du combustible tournées vers le haut de la figure 4, mais ne couvrent qu'une partie de ces côtés. Une bande 74 dé ces côtés reste libre, entre les première et deuxième surfaces 21 et 39.Indeed, as we see on the figure 4 for a large square section fuel, the translational movement of the door 17A, 17B will be interrupted earlier. The section of such a fuel is materialized by the marked line CG of the right part of the figure 4 . In this case, the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 come to bear against the two adjacent sides of the fuel facing upwards. figure 4 but only cover a portion of these sides. A strip 74 of these sides remains free between the first and second surfaces 21 and 39.

Pour un combustible de section de taille intermédiaire matérialisé par la ligne mixte CM de la figure 4, le mouvement de translation de la porte 17A,17B est arrêté plus loin que pour un combustible de section CG. La bande libre 74 est réduite.For a medium-sized section fuel materialized by the mixed line CM of the figure 4 , the translational movement of the door 17A, 17B is stopped further than for a fuel of section CG. The free band 74 is reduced.

Enfin, pour un combustible de section de petite taille, matérialisé par la ligne mixte CP de la figure 4, on arrête le mouvement de descente de la porte 17A,17B encore plus loin que pour les sections de taille CG et CM, la porte venant au contact des faces 23 par l'intermédiaire des faces latérales 45 de la deuxième face d'appui. Les côtés de l'assemblage tournées vers le haut de la figure 4 sont entièrement recouvertes par les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39. Il n'y a plus de bande libre 74.Finally, for a fuel of small section, materialized by the mixed line CP of the figure 4 , the downward movement of the door 17A, 17B is stopped even further than for the sections of size CG and CM, the door coming into contact with the faces 23 via the side faces 45 of the second bearing face. The sides of the assembly facing up the figure 4 are completely covered by the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39. There is no longer free band 74.

Dans son mouvement de translation vers le sommet 25 du logement 15A,15B, la partie supérieure 33 de la porte est guidée par les surfaces de guidage supérieures 29, et la partie inférieure 35 de la porte est guidée par les surfaces de guidage inférieures 27.In its translation movement towards the top 25 of the housing 15A, 15B, the upper part 33 of the door is guided by the upper guide surfaces 29, and the lower part 35 of the door is guided by the lower guide surfaces 27.

Une fois la porte 17A, 17B dans sa position de maintien, on visse les vis 63 dans les orifices filetés 61. La forme en chicane, l'état de surface et les tolérances de fabrication des surfaces de guidage 27 et 29 et de l'épaulement 31 d'une part, et des portes 17A, 17B d'autre part, sont tels que les logements 15A, 15B présentent un bon niveau d'étanchéité, et que les matières nucléaires sont confinées dans les logements 15A, 15B en cas d'accident grave qui aurait entraîné des ruptures de gaines dans les assemblages.Once the door 17A, 17B in its holding position, the screws 63 are screwed into the threaded holes 61. The baffle shape, the surface condition and the manufacturing tolerances of the guide surfaces 27 and 29 and the shoulder 31 on the one hand, and doors 17A, 17B on the other hand, are such that the housings 15A, 15B have a good level of tightness, and that the nuclear materials are confined in the housings 15A, 15B in case of serious accident which would have caused breaks of sheaths in the assemblies.

On bascule ensuite jusqu'à la position horizontale l'ensemble 10 qui vient alors reposer sur le berceau 8 où il est fixé par des boulons.It then switches to the horizontal position the assembly 10 which then comes to rest on the cradle 8 where it is fixed by bolts.

Après avoir replacé la demi-coquille supérieure sur la demi-coquille inférieure de l'enveloppe 2 et fixé les deux demi-coquilles par des vis et écrous, on peut réaliser la manutention et le transport du conteneur, par exemple en effectuant le levage du conteneur par l'intermédiaire des pattes de levage 75 et 75' fixées sur la demi-coquille supérieure de l'enveloppe externe, comme il est visible sur la figure 1.After having replaced the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell of the casing 2 and fixed the two half-shells by screws and nuts, it is possible to carry out the handling and transport of the container, for example by carrying out the lifting of the container through the lifting lugs 75 and 75 'attached to the upper half-shell of the outer casing, as visible on the figure 1 .

La procédure de déchargement des assemblages de combustible nucléaire est inverse de la procédure de chargement de ces assemblages dans le conteneur. Elle ne sera pas détaillée ici.The procedure for unloading nuclear fuel assemblies is the reverse of the procedure for loading these assemblies into the container. It will not be detailed here.

Le conteneur de transport décrit ci-dessus peut être utilisé pour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire neufs ou irradiés quel que soit le combustible nucléaire UO2, PuO2... Il peut également être utilisé pour transporter des équipements présentant un encombrement similaire à celui d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire, par exemple des boîtes à crayons, des carquois, ou des squelettes d'assemblage de combustible nucléaire.The transport container described above can be used for new or irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies irrespective of the nuclear fuel UO 2 , PuO 2 ... It can also be used to transport equipment with a footprint similar to that of a nuclear fuel assembly, for example pencil boxes, quivers, or nuclear fuel assembly skeletons.

Le conteneur décrit ci-dessus présente de multiples avantages.The container described above has many advantages.

Il est possible dans le même conteneur, avec la même structure interne, de transporter des assemblages combustible nucléaire de tailles différentes. Ce résultat est atteint du fait qu'il est possible d'ajuster l'écartement entre les premières et deuxièmes surfaces d'appui 21 et 39, en déplaçant les portes 17A, 17B le long des vis 47.It is possible in the same container, with the same internal structure, to transport nuclear fuel assemblies of different sizes. This result is achieved because it is possible to adjust the spacing between the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39, by moving the doors 17A, 17B along the screws 47.

L'ajustement décrit précédemment est en outre réalisé à l'aide de moyens simples et économiques : les vis 47 montées dans les paliers 51, et les écrous 49 pourvus d'axes 51 engagés dans les trous borgnes 59 de la porte.The adjustment described above is also achieved using simple and economical means: the screws 47 mounted in the bearings 51, and the nuts 49 provided with pins 51 engaged in the blind holes 59 of the door.

Il est possible dans le même conteneur, avec la même structure interne, de transporter des assemblages de combustible nucléaire présentant des positions de grilles différentes. Ce résultat est atteint du fait que les surfaces d'appui 21 et 39 sont lisses et que les portes 17A, 17B ne comprennent pas de patins mobiles destinés à venir en appui sur les grilles d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire transporté. Cette caractéristique est en outre avantageuse vis-à-vis du nettoyage et de la décontamination des logements 15A et 15B de réception et des portes 17A et 17B du conteneur dont les surfaces 21 et 39 sont lisses et peuvent être dépourvues de zones de rétention.It is possible in the same container, with the same internal structure, to transport nuclear fuel assemblies having different grid positions. This result is achieved by the fact that the bearing surfaces 21 and 39 are smooth and that the doors 17A, 17B do not include movable pads intended to bear against the grids of a transported nuclear fuel assembly. This feature is further advantageous vis-à-vis the cleaning and decontamination of receiving housing 15A and 15B and doors 17A and 17B of the container whose surfaces 21 and 39 are smooth and may be devoid of retention zones.

Elle est également avantageuse vis-à-vis du gain de masse associé à l'absence de patins en ce qu'elle permet de transporter plus d'assemblages pour un même encombrement externe.It is also advantageous vis-à-vis the mass gain associated with the absence of pads in that it allows to transport more assemblies for the same external size.

L'exploitation du conteneur est particulièrement simple, du fait qu'il ne comprend qu'un petit nombre de vis 47 permettant d'ajuster la position de la porte, et un petit nombre de vis de fixation 63.The operation of the container is particularly simple, since it comprises only a small number of screws 47 for adjusting the position of the door, and a small number of fixing screws 63.

Le conteneur décrit ci-dessus peut présenter de multiples variantes.The container described above can have multiple variants.

Ainsi, les moyens de déplacement des portes 17A et 17B sur le support 3 peuvent avoir d'autres structures que celle décrite précédemment. A titre d'exemple, ils peuvent être constitués de biellettes agencées pour for mer un bras de type pantographe. De tels bras sont connus de l'état de la technique et ne seront donc pas décrits en détail ici. Ils permettent d'obtenir un mouvement de la porte pour passer de sa position de libération à sa position de maintien d'abord de rotation puis de translation, comme les moyens de déplacement à vis et écrous décrits ci-dessus.Thus, the means for moving the doors 17A and 17B on the support 3 may have other structures than that described above. By way of example, they may consist of rods arranged to form a pantograph arm. Such arms are known from the state of the art and will not be described in detail here. They make it possible to obtain a movement of the door to move from its release position to its position of first holding of rotation then of translation, like the means of displacement with screws and nuts described above.

Plus généralement, ces moyens de déplacement n'assurent pas nécessairement un mouvement de translation puis de rotation.More generally, these displacement means do not necessarily ensure a translational movement and then rotation.

Il est ainsi possible de prévoir que chaque porte passe de sa position de maintien à sa position de libération par un simple mouvement de translation le long des vis 47 perpendiculairement à la face supérieure 19 du support 13, sans rotation à 180° comme dans l'exemple de réalisation décrit ci-dessus. Dans ce cas, la position de libération correspond sensiblement à la position de la porte illustrée sur la partie gauche de la figure 5. L'introduction des assemblages de combustible nucléaire dans les logements se fait alors par un mouvement longitudinal, à l'aide d'un pont. Le retrait des assemblages hors des logements s'effectue de la même façon.It is thus possible to provide for each door to move from its holding position to its release position by a simple translational movement along the screws 47 perpendicular to the upper face 19 of the support 13, without 180 ° rotation as in FIG. exemplary embodiment described above. In this case, the release position corresponds substantially to the position of the door shown on the left side of the figure 5 . The introduction of nuclear fuel assemblies into dwellings is then done by a longitudinal movement, using a bridge. The removal of assemblies out of housing is done in the same way.

En variante, on peut également prévoir que la porte soit démontable, les vis 47 peuvent être remplacées dans ce cas par des vis de fixation du type des vis 63. Pour charger et décharger les assemblages dans les logements, on dévisse alors toutes les vis de fixation, puis on retire complètement les portes 17A, 17B, par exemple à l'aide d'un pont roulant.Alternatively, it can also be provided that the door is removable, the screws 47 can be replaced in this case by fixing screws of the type of the screws 63. To load and unload the assemblies in the housing, then unscrews all the screws of fixing, then completely remove the doors 17A, 17B, for example using a crane.

Des moyens de protection peuvent être disposés autour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire, à l'intérieur du support 13 et/ou des portes 17A, 17B. Ces protections peuvent être de différents types. Elles peuvent être de type mécanique, de façon à rigidifier les équipements internes du conteneur et à protéger les assemblages combustibles en cas de chute de ce conteneur ou de choc. Ces protections peuvent également être de type neutronique, et absorber les neutrons émis par les assemblages de combustible nucléaire. Ces protections peuvent encore être du type thermique, de façon à empêcher que la chaleur générée par l'assemblage combustible soit conduite à travers le support ou la porte. Les protections peuvent également être de type biologique et, absorber les rayonnements ionisants émis par les assemblages de combustible nucléaire, par exemple les rayonnements gamma. Il est même possible que ces protections soient suffisantes pour transporter un assemblage de combustible nucléaire, sans qu'une enveloppe externe 2 ne soit nécessaire.Protective means may be arranged around the nuclear fuel assemblies, inside the support 13 and / or the doors 17A, 17B. These protections can be of different types. They can be of the mechanical type, so as to stiffen the internal equipment of the container and to protect the fuel assemblies in case of fall of this container or shock. These protections can also be of neutron type, and absorb the neutrons emitted by the nuclear fuel assemblies. These protections may also be of the thermal type, so as to prevent the heat generated by the fuel assembly is conducted through the support or the door. The protections can also be of the biological type and absorb the ionizing radiation emitted by the nuclear fuel assemblies, for example gamma radiation. It is even possible that these protections are sufficient to transport a nuclear fuel assembly, without an outer envelope 2 is necessary.

Le conteneur décrit ci-dessus est adapté pour transporter des assemblages de combustible nucléaire pour réacteur BWR (réacteur à eau bouillante) ou PWR (réacteur à eau pressurisée). Ces assemblages peuvent être de type 17x17, 10X10, 18X18, ou de tout autre type. On rappelle que ces nombres caractérisent le réseau carré selon lequel les crayons de combustible sont disposés. Ainsi, un assemblage 17 x 17 a un réseau de dix-sept rangées de dix-sept crayons ou accessoires.The container described above is suitable for transporting nuclear fuel assemblies for BWR reactor (boiling water reactor) or PWR (pressurized water reactor). These assemblies can be 17x17, 10x10, 18x18, or any other type. These numbers characterize the square network according to which the fuel rods are arranged. Thus, a 17 x 17 assembly has a network of seventeen rows of seventeen pencils or accessories.

Le conteneur peut également être adapté pour transporter des assemblages de combustible nucléaire dont la section n'est pas carrée, mais par exemple rectangulaire ou hexagonale.The container may also be adapted to transport nuclear fuel assemblies whose section is not square, but for example rectangular or hexagonal.

Dans de tels cas, l'ajustement de la position de la porte par rapport au support 13 n'est pas nécessairement assuré par une translation verticale comme décrit précédemment et représentée par la flèche verticale F1 sur la figure 5. Ainsi, dans le cas d'assemblages de forme rectangulaire, cette translation s'effectuera dans une direction passant par les sommets 25 et 43 des surfaces longitudinales d'appui 21 et 39.In such cases, the adjustment of the position of the door relative to the support 13 is not necessarily ensured by a vertical translation as previously described and represented by the vertical arrow F1 on the figure 5 . Thus, in the case of assemblies of rectangular shape, this translation will take place in a direction passing through the vertices 25 and 43 longitudinal bearing surfaces 21 and 39.

Dans le cas d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire hexagonal, on prévoit par exemple que les faces 23 de la première surface d'appui 21 forment entre elles un angle de 60° environ. De même, on prévoit par exemple que les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39 fassent entre elles un angle de 60°. On dispose l'assemblage dans le logement de façon à ce qu'un premier côté de l'hexagone soit au contact d'une des faces 23, et qu'un second côté de l'hexagone soit au contact de l'autre face 23. Un troisième côté de l'hexagone, reliant les premier et second côtés, s'étend d'une face 23 à l'autre, au regard du sommet 25. Ce troisième côté n'est pas plaqué contre la surface d'appui 21. De la même façon, deux autres côtés de l'hexagone repose contre les faces 41 de la deuxième surface d'appui 39, un côté de l'hexagone s'étendant entre ces deux faces 41, au regard du sommet 43.In the case of a hexagonal nuclear fuel assembly, it is provided for example that the faces 23 of the first bearing surface 21 form between them an angle of about 60 °. Similarly, it is provided for example that the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39 are between them an angle of 60 °. The assembly is arranged in the housing so that a first side of the hexagon is in contact with one of the faces 23, and a second side of the hexagon is in contact with the other face 23 A third side of the hexagon, connecting the first and second sides, extends from one face 23 to the other, facing the top 25. This third side is not pressed against the bearing surface 21 In the same way, two other sides of the hexagon rests against the faces 41 of the second bearing surface 39, one side of the hexagon extending between these two faces 41, facing the top 43.

De la même façon, la structure interne du conteneur peut être adaptée pour transporter des assemblages de combustible nucléaire de section octogonale, triangulaire, ou tout autre section polygonale.In the same way, the internal structure of the container can be adapted to transport nuclear fuel assemblies of octagonal section, triangular, or any other polygonal section.

En variante, il est possible de prévoir que les deux paires de faces 23 et 41 des première et deuxième surfaces d'appui 21 et 39 forment un carré continu, de taille variable en fonction de la section de l'assemblage à transporter, comme illustré sur la figure 7A. Dans ce cas, les moyens pour ajuster l'écartement entre les première et deuxième surface 21 et 39 peuvent comprendre des moyens pour déplacer de façon coordonnées les quatre faces 23 et 41 les unes le long des autres, de façon à faire varier la taille du carré. Les faces 23 et 41 restent perpendiculaires les unes aux autres au cours de ce mouvement.Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the two pairs of faces 23 and 41 of the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 form a continuous square, of variable size depending on the section of the assembly to be transported, as illustrated. on the Figure 7A . In this case, the means for adjusting the spacing between the first and second surfaces 21 and 39 may comprise means for moving in a coordinated manner the four faces 23 and 41 along each other, so as to vary the size of the square. The faces 23 and 41 remain perpendicular to each other during this movement.

Selon une autre variante, illustrée sur la figure 7B, les première et deuxième surfaces d'appui 21 et 39 comprennent chacune une grande face 23, 41 et une petite face 23', 41' moins large que dans la grande face dans un plan transversal. Les première et deuxième surfaces 21, 39, comprennent en outre chacune un dégagement 80 bordant la petite face et délimité en partie par une surface de guidage 82. Les surfaces de guidage 82 s'étendent sensiblement parallèlement à la diagonale passant par les sommets 25 et 43, c'est-à-dire verticalement sur la figure 7B. Comme le montre la figure 7B, les deux grandes faces 23, 41 sont parallèles et opposées, et les deux petites faces 23', 41' sont parallèles et opposées. Les deux faces d'une même surface d'appui sont typiquement perpendiculaires l'une à l'autre. Comme on le voit sur la partie droite de la figure 7B, pour un assemblage de combustible nucléaire de grande section, les deux côtés opposés de cet assemblage en appui sur les grandes faces 23 et 41 sont entièrement couverts par ces faces. En revanche, les deux côtés opposés en appui sur les petites faces 23' et 41' ne sont que partiellement recouverts par ces faces. On voit sur la partie gauche de la figure 7B, que, pour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire de faible section, les quatre côtés de ces assemblages sont entièrement couverts par les faces 23, 23', 41, 41', les bords libres des grandes faces 23 et 41 venant s'engager dans les dégagements 80 de la surface opposée.According to another variant, illustrated on the Figure 7B , the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39 each comprise a large face 23, 41 and a small face 23 ', 41' less wide than in the large face in a transverse plane. The first and second surfaces 21, 39, each further comprise a clearance 80 bordering the small face and delimited in part by a guide surface 82. The guide surfaces 82 extend substantially parallel to the diagonal passing through the vertices 25 and 43, that is to say vertically on the Figure 7B . As shown in Figure 7B the two large faces 23, 41 are parallel and opposite, and the two small faces 23 ', 41' are parallel and opposite. Both sides of the same bearing surface are typically perpendicular to each other. As seen on the right side of the Figure 7B for a nuclear fuel assembly of large section, the two opposite sides of this assembly bearing on the large faces 23 and 41 are entirely covered by these faces. On the other hand, the two opposite sides resting on the small faces 23 'and 41' are only partially covered by these faces. We see on the left side of the Figure 7B that, for nuclear fuel assemblies of small section, the four sides of these assemblies are entirely covered by the faces 23, 23 ', 41, 41', the free edges of the large faces 23 and 41 engaging in the clearances 80 of the opposite surface.

Les surfaces 82 permettent de guider le déplacement relatif des première et deuxième surfaces d'appui 21 et 39. En outre, elles constituent des chicanes permettant d'améliorer l'étanchéité.The surfaces 82 make it possible to guide the relative displacement of the first and second bearing surfaces 21 and 39. In addition, they constitute baffles for improving the seal.

Enfin, les surfaces d'appui 21 et 39 sont délimitées par deux pièces identiques que l'on emboîte tête-bêche, ce qui permet de réduire les coûts de production.Finally, the bearing surfaces 21 and 39 are delimited by two identical parts that are fitted back-to-back, which reduces production costs.

De préférence, les faces de la première surface 21 forment entre elles un angle sensiblement égal à l'angle que les faces de la deuxième surface 39 forment entre elles. Cet angle est compris entre 60° et 135°, en fonction de la géométrie des assemblages combustibles nucléaires à transporter.Preferably, the faces of the first surface 21 form between them an angle substantially equal to the angle that the faces of the second surface 39 form between them. This angle is between 60 ° and 135 °, depending on the geometry of the nuclear fuel assemblies to be transported.

Plus généralement, le conteneur 1 selon l'invention peut recevoir un nombre d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire différent de deux. Ainsi, il peut être conçu pour recevoir un unique assemblage de combustible nucléaire, ou dans certaines variantes un nombre beaucoup plus élevé, par exemple six ou huit.More generally, the container 1 according to the invention can receive a number of nuclear fuel assemblies different from two. Thus, it can be designed to receive a single nuclear fuel assembly, or in some variants a much higher number, for example six or eight.

Le conteneur 1 peut également comprendre outre la première surface et la deuxième surfaces longitudinales d'appui une troisième surface longitudinale d'appui.The container 1 may also comprise, in addition to the first surface and the second longitudinal support surface, a third longitudinal bearing surface.

Ces surfaces longitudinales d'appui peuvent comprendre comme dans les exemples décrits ci-dessus chacune deux faces longitudinales, mais le nombre de faces peut également être différent, par exemple une unique face longitudinale peut être envisagée, trois faces longitudinales peuvent être envisagées.These longitudinal bearing surfaces may comprise, as in the examples described above, each two longitudinal faces, but the number of faces may also be different, for example a single longitudinal face can be envisaged, three longitudinal faces can be envisaged.

Ainsi pour des assemblages de combustible nucléaire à section hexagonale, on peut prévoir trois surfaces longitudinales d'appui, comprenant chacune une seule face d'appui, ces faces étant inclinées l'une par rapport à l'autre de 120° lorsqu'elles sont en appui contre un assemblage.Thus, for hexagonal-section nuclear fuel assemblies, three longitudinal bearing surfaces may be provided, each comprising a single bearing face, these faces being inclined relative to each other by 120 ° when they are in support against an assembly.

Toujours pour le même type d'assemblage, on peut dans une autre variante prévoir une première surface comprenant trois faces inclinées les unes par rapport aux autres de 120° et destinées à venir en appui sur des faces consécutives d'un assemblage de combustible nucléaire. La deuxième surface peut alors comprendre une seule face d'appui.Still for the same type of assembly, it is possible in another variant to provide a first surface comprising three faces inclined relative to each other by 120 ° and intended to bear on consecutive faces of a nuclear fuel assembly. The second surface may then comprise a single support surface.

Lorsqu'une même surface comprend plusieurs faces longitudinales, celles-ci ne sont pas nécessairement sécantes en un sommet comme décrit précédemment.When the same surface comprises several longitudinal faces, they are not necessarily intersecting at a vertex as described above.

De même, dans les exemples décrits précédemment, les surfaces longitudinales d'appui viennent prendre appui directement sur les assemblages de combustible nucléaire, sans utiliser de patins de maintien mobiles.Similarly, in the examples described above, the longitudinal bearing surfaces bear directly on the nuclear fuel assemblies, without using movable holding pads.

Cependant, il est également envisageable d'utiliser de tels patins ou d'autres moyens pour assurer le contact entre les surfaces d'appui longitudinales et un assemblage de combustible nucléaire transporté.However, it is also possible to use such pads or other means to ensure contact between the longitudinal bearing surfaces and a nuclear fuel assembly transported.

L'invention décrite ci-dessus peut être mise en oeuvre aisément par simple modification d'emballages existants.The invention described above can be implemented easily by simply modifying existing packaging.

Claims (10)

  1. Transport container for a nuclear fuel assembly of elongate shape in a longitudinal direction, the container comprising a support (13) having at least a first longitudinal bearing surface (21) delimiting a longitudinal housing (15A, 15B) for receiving a nuclear fuel assembly, and a door (17A, 17B) having a second longitudinal bearing surface (39), the door (17A, 17B) being movable between a position holding the nuclear fuel assembly between the two longitudinal surfaces (21, 39) and a release position in which the assembly is free with respect to the support (13), characterized in that it comprises means (61,63) for adjusting the transverse spacing between the first and second surfaces (21, 39) in the holding position of the door (17A, 17B).
  2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first surface (21) comprises a first pair of longitudinal faces (23) arranged in the shape of a V, and the second surface (39) comprises a second pair of longitudinal faces (41) which are arranged in the shape of a V and which are parallel with and opposite the faces (23) of the first pair when the door (17A, 17B) is in the holding position.
  3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second pairs of faces in a V shape (23, 41) converge towards first and second vertices (25, 43), respectively, the adjusting means comprising means (61, 63) for adjusting the position of the door (17A, 17B) with respect to the support (13) by translation of the door (17A, 17B) in a transverse adjusting direction passing via the first and second vertices (25, 43) when the door (17A, 17B) is in the holding position.
  4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (13) comprises parallel longitudinal surfaces (27, 29) for guiding the translation of the door (17A, 17B) in the direction of adjustment.
  5. Container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises means (47, 49, 51, 59) for displacing the door (17A, 17B) with respect to the support (13) between its holding and release positions by translation in the direction of adjustment and then rotation about at least one longitudinal shaft (51).
  6. Container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the faces (23) of the first pair form between them an angle substantially equal to that which the faces (41) of the second pair form between them, this angle being from 60° to 135°.
  7. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second longitudinal bearing surface (39) is free from movable runners for resting on a nuclear fuel assembly.
  8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the second longitudinal bearing surface (39) is suitable for resting directly on a nuclear fuel assembly.
  9. Use of the container according to any one of the preceding claims for transporting a nuclear fuel assembly.
  10. Use of the container according to claim 9, characterized in that the container is used with the same support (13) and the same door (17A, 17B) to transport nuclear fuel assemblies of at least two different types.
EP07788913.7A 2006-08-21 2007-06-21 Transport container for nuclear fuel assemblies and use of said container Active EP2054893B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0607424A FR2905031B1 (en) 2006-08-21 2006-08-21 TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLIES AND USE OF SUCH CONTAINER.
PCT/FR2007/001032 WO2008023101A2 (en) 2006-08-21 2007-06-21 Transport container for nuclear fuel assemblies and use of said container

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EP2054893A2 EP2054893A2 (en) 2009-05-06
EP2054893B1 true EP2054893B1 (en) 2013-08-21

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US10020084B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-07-10 Energysolutions, Llc System and method for processing spent nuclear fuel
RU2543058C2 (en) * 2013-07-18 2015-02-27 Открытое акционерное общество "Новосибирский завод химконцентратов" (ОАО "НЗХК") Container for transportation of fuel assemblies of nuclear reactor
CN104733066A (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-24 中核建中核燃料元件有限公司 Fixed tying method for conveying fuel subassemblies
JP6440993B2 (en) * 2014-08-14 2018-12-19 株式会社グローバル・ニュークリア・フュエル・ジャパン Fuel holder
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CN113628773B (en) * 2021-04-20 2023-11-10 中国核工业华兴建设有限公司 Nuclear power station spent fuel dry-type storage equipment support equipment is assembled with adjustable device

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ES2435780T3 (en) 2013-12-23
WO2008023101A2 (en) 2008-02-28
CN101730915B (en) 2013-03-27
JP2010507777A (en) 2010-03-11
FR2905031B1 (en) 2008-11-07
WO2008023101A3 (en) 2010-02-25
US20100014623A1 (en) 2010-01-21
US8259892B2 (en) 2012-09-04
KR20090042849A (en) 2009-04-30
ZA200901072B (en) 2010-08-25
KR101315790B1 (en) 2013-10-14
CN101730915A (en) 2010-06-09
EP2054893A2 (en) 2009-05-06
FR2905031A1 (en) 2008-02-22
JP5642387B2 (en) 2014-12-17

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