EP2814754B1 - Closure device for containers for transporting radioactive substances - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a closure device, in particular for containers for the transport of radioactive substances, having a first and a second component, each having a comb-like portion, wherein the comb-like portions are interspersed with locked closure device by a bolt element.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for the transport of in particular uranium hexafluoride, comprising an outer container composed of a first and a second shell, wherein the shells are lockable via at least one closure device having a first and a second component, each having a comb-like portion, wherein the comb-like portions are interspersed with a locked closure device by a bolt element.

1. 1. den sicheren Verschluss der Behälter unter den zu unterstellenden normalen und Unfall-Beförderungsbedingungen gewährleistet,
2. 2. die Handhabung unter den weltweit zu erwartenden Umgebungsbedingungen erleichtert, und
3. 3. die Öffnung des Verschlusssystems durch nicht autorisierte Personen verhindert bzw. wesentlich erschwert.

In particular, the invention relates to a closure device or a closure system of containers for the transport of radioactive substances, the

1. 1. Ensures the safe closure of the containers under the normal and accident conditions of carriage,
2. 2. facilitates handling under the world-wide expected environmental conditions, and
3. 3. prevents the opening of the closure system by unauthorized persons or significantly more difficult.

Uranium hexafluoride is transported in cylindrical steel containers. These containers are specified in ISO 7195 "Packaging of Uranium Hexafluoride (UF ₆ ) for Transport" or in ANSI N14.1 "Uranium Hexafluoride - Packaging for Transport". During transport, these containers must meet the requirements of the SSR-6 "Regulations for the Steel containers for uranium hexafluoride with an enrichment of more than 1% Uranium-235 uranium-235 in uranium are enclosed in a protective container during transport in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of International Transport Safety Steel containers, protective containers and the contents of uranium hexafluoride constitute a package within the meaning of the regulations.

For containers containing uranium hexafluoride with an enrichment of more than 1% by weight but not more than 5% by weight of uranium-235 in uranium, u. a. the following requirements resulting from the normal and accident conditions of carriage defined in SSR-6:

The heating test described in 5 below, which is carried out on the same package in accordance with the tests described in paragraphs 1 to 4, shall not result in any impermissible pressure in the package which could cause the package to burst.

1. 1. Eine Freifallprüfung aus einer Höhe, die von der Masse des Versandstücks abhängt (1,2 m für eine Masse des Versandstücks bis 5000 kg, 0,3 m für eine Masse des Versandstücks über 15 000 kg mit weiteren Abstufungen zwischen den beiden Grenzwerten), auf ein unnachgiebiges Fundament.
2. 2. Ein Durchstoßtest mittels einer 6 kg schweren Stahlstange mit einem Durchmesser von 3,2 cm, die aus 1 m Höhe mit der Spitze auf das Versandstück fällt.
3. 3. Ein Fall aus 9 m Höhe auf ein unnachgiebiges Fundament.
4. 4. Ein Fall aus 1 m Höhe auf einen Stahlzylinder mit einem Durchmesser von 150 mm und einer Mindestlänge von 200 mm.
5. 5. Eine Erhitzungsprüfung, bei der das Versandstück einem Feuer von 30 min Dauer und einer Temperatur von 800°C ausgesetzt wird.

The following tests must be carried out on the same package:

1. 1. A free-fall test from a height which depends on the mass of the package (1.2 m for a mass of the package up to 5000 kg, 0.3 m for a mass of the package above 15 000 kg with further increments between the two limits) , on an unyielding foundation.
2. 2. A puncture test by means of a 6 kg steel rod with a diameter of 3.2 cm, which falls from a height of 1 m with the tip of the package.
3. 3. A fall from 9 m height onto an unyielding foundation.
4. 4. A drop from 1 m height to a steel cylinder with a diameter of 150 mm and a minimum length of 200 mm.
5. 5. A heating test whereby the package is exposed to a fire of 30 minutes duration and a temperature of 800 ° C.

In principle, the required protective function is provided by a protective packaging that completely surrounds the steel cylinder filled with uranium hexafluoride. The protective packaging consists of inner and outer shell z. B. made of sheet metal, the shock absorption and thermal insulation z. B. enclose foam. The protective packaging is divided into a lower and upper half-shell to enable loading and unloading. The two half-shells shall be interlocked by means of a closure which ensures the sealing function in the above-mentioned tests in accordance with items 1 to 5.

The transport of the packages is usually carried out by means of 20 'ISO flatracks, which are equipped on the bottom side with suitable carriers. For this purpose, each up to 4 packages are bolted with their longitudinal axis aligned transversely to the direction of travel on the carriers.

As a rule, the empty protective packaging is delivered bolted to flatracks at the suppliers of cylinders filled with uranium hexafluoride. There, preferably only the upper half shells are removed, the lower half shells loaded with the cylinders and the upper half shells reassembled.

The lower half shells remain firmly mounted on the flatracks. Due to the dimensions, the distances between the individual half-shells are limited to a few cm.

According to the prior art, the following closure systems or devices are known.

A classic locking system consists of screw and nut. This has been used for decades for the specified purpose. At the top and bottom shell each more devices are attached to the outside, which are braced against each other by a respective bolt with nut. Example package MST-30, registration certificate no. J / 159 / AF-96.

The "screw and nut" design meets the safety requirements without restrictions. However, the handling is difficult and time-consuming, since to ensure the closure function greater torques must be applied. Especially in tight spaces, the application of this torque is not guaranteed. As a rule, these closure systems are replaced by z. B. impact wrench operated; This leads to high wear and high repair costs. However, an opening of the closure system is also possible with simple hand tools, so that even unauthorized persons could get access to the cargo.

Another locking system includes pins with split pin / ball lock pins. This closure system has been used for packaging closures for decades. Ball lock pins are regularly used in the aerospace industry. It consists of a central part with a hole, over which a forked or tubular part with a suitable bore is slipped.

The bolt / ball stud is inserted and locked in the aligned hole of fork / tubular and central part. Example package UX-30, registration certificate no. USA / 9196 / B (U) F-96.

The version "Bolt with split pin" meets the safety requirements without restrictions. However, the handling is difficult because a sap must be inserted into the bolt and properly locked to ensure the locking function. Especially in tight spaces, this lock is not guaranteed. In the version "ball lock pin" handling is much easier. The disadvantage is the required high precision of the closure parts, which is not guaranteed under the prevailing operating conditions, and the lack of robustness of the precise ball lock pin against normal handling conditions. An opening of the closure system is possible with simple hand tools (pin with pin) or even without tools (ball lock pin), so that even unauthorized persons could get access to the cargo.

A T- or ring bolt with a folding lever is also known as a closure system and has been used for decades for packaging of all kinds. It consists of several attached to a half-shell curved tines, in each of which a T-bolt inserted or an eyebolt is mounted, which is connected via a lever mechanism with the lower half-shell and is clamped by the lever operation. Example COG-OP-30B, registration certificate no. F / 358 / IF-96.

The version "bolt with folding lever" meets the safety requirements, but this locking system is vulnerable to damage due to the articulated technology. The maintenance effort is high because the interaction between tines, bolts and levers must be regularly checked or adjusted. The main disadvantage arises from the space required for the rotation of the lever. In contrast to the other closure systems mentioned above, lower half-shells can not be loaded tightly with cylinders on standing racks, but must be removed from the flatrack, loaded and reassembled.

In the event that the packages are mounted close together on a flat rack, however, an opening of the closure system is not easily possible, so that the access to the cargo is difficult for unauthorized persons.

A closure device with bolts and forks for securing a lid of a shielding container is the DD-A-150 811 refer to.

From the US-B-6,805,253 is known from two shells protective container, wherein the shells are lockable via a split and lever mechanism.

Furthermore, it is known to provide protective containers on both sides with a plurality of independent closures, which build on the principle of bolts. In this case, a bolt passes through intermeshing comb-shaped structures of the closure device (see F. Hilbert et. al, The DN30 Overpack - A New Solution for 30B cylinders, PATRAM 2010, London on).

The present invention has the object, a closure device and an arrangement of the type mentioned in such a way that damage by mechanical shock and shear stress is omitted, a sufficient tolerance between the closure device forming elements is given to allow a low-maintenance operation, without, however, disadvantages in terms of locking must be taken into account.

Furthermore, the closure device should be able to be handled in a simple manner and economically by a person. At the same time, however, it should be ensured that unauthorized persons can not readily open the closure device.

It should also be possible that when the closure device is used for a container consisting of two shells, that is to say in particular in the case of the above-described packages, an operation can take place from the front sides of the package.

A closure device of the aforementioned type is characterized in particular by the fact that the bolt element has a head with at least one receiving recess extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bolt element, that at least one of the components has a passage opening, the bolt element passing through the comb-like sections on the at least one receiving recess is aligned, and that when the locking device is locked in the through hole, an element is fixed, which extends partially in the recess.

In particular, it is provided that the head of the bolt has a flat geometry and has in section rectangular head portions which extend symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the bolt and protrude beyond the circumference of the bolt, and in that each component has a preferably groove-like recess which accommodates one of the head sections.

Furthermore, it is provided that a receiving recess is provided in each head section, so that always a receiving recess is aligned with the passage opening, when the shank of the bolt passes through the comb-like structure, so their aligned aligned holes.

The element fixed in the passage opening is preferably a screw element which can be screwed into the passage opening. In this case, the screw should have a coded head to make it difficult for unauthorized persons opening at least.

Each component has in particular a cuboid or block geometry, wherein the comb-like section originates from a first longitudinal side or is designed as such.

The passage opening then starts from the longitudinal side of the component, which lies opposite the first longitudinal side.

According to the invention a closure device or a closure system is proposed, which is resistant to mechanical shock and shear stress, since the block or cuboidal components, which may also be referred to as closure blocks may consist of solid steel parts and the bolt and its security within the contour the relevant massive components lies. The closure blocks, the interaction between the holes passing through the comb-like structure and the bolt, and the groove-like recesses receiving the head portions of the bolt, can be grossly tolerated without detriment to the function. As a result, a low-maintenance operation is guaranteed. The fixing, so the screw that performs the function of a locking screw, must be tightened only with low torque because the essential closure function is provided by the connection between the comb-shaped structure and the bolt.

The closure device can be handled by a person due to the construction according to the invention. The locking screw can be tightened and loosened by means of a simple hand tool. The bolt itself can be pulled out or inserted manually. As already mentioned, a coded screw head of the locking screw prevents opening of the locking device by persons who have no access to the coded tool.

An arrangement for the transport of preferably uranium hexafluoride of the type mentioned above is characterized in that the bolt element has a head with at least one receiving recess extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bolt element, that at least one of the components has a passage opening, the bolt passing through the comb-like sections the at least one receiving recess is aligned, and that, when the closure device is locked, an element is fixed in the passage opening and extends in regions in the receiving recess.

In this case, provision is made in particular for at least three closure devices to be present along the longitudinal sides of the outer container and along the connecting line between the shells. These can be easily handled even if, according to the prior art, several corresponding containers are mounted close together on flatracks.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent not only from the claims, the features to be taken from them-alone and / or in combination-but also from the following description of a preferred embodiment to be taken from the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Verschlusseinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht der Verschlusseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Verschlusseinrichtung von Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine isometrische Darstellung der Verschlusseinrichtung gem. Fig. 1, teilweise in Explosionsdarstellung, und

Fig. 6

eine Prinzipdarstellung eines Transportbehälters mit Verschlusseinrichtungen.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a top view of a closure device,

Fig. 2

a front view of the closure device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a section along the line AA in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a plan view of the closure device of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

an isometric view of the closure device acc. Fig. 1 , partially exploded, and

Fig. 6

a schematic diagram of a transport container with locking devices.

Of the Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a container 110 for transport in particular radioactive substances such as uranium hexafluoride to take, with a structure may be given, as this is the WO-A-2010/043534 can be seen. The outer container 110 consists of two shells 112, 114, which can be locked for transport via locking devices 116, 118, 120. From the drawings, it can be seen that the closure devices 116, 118, 120 are arranged on longitudinal sides of the container 110, without this limiting the teaching according to the invention. Also, more or fewer than the three closure devices 116, 118, 120 may be present along each longitudinal side.

The Fig. 1 to 5 In principle, the structure of one of the closure devices 116, 118, 120 can be seen, which have an identical construction. The corresponding closure device, which in Fig. 1 is denoted by the reference numeral 10, consists of two block-like components 12, 14, each along a longitudinal side 16, 18 have a comb-like portion 20, 22 to form a comb-shaped structure. The comb-like projections of the comb-like structures 20, 22 are in alignment with composite components 12, 14 into one another passing holes 24 which are penetrated by a bolt 26 when the locking device 10 is locked. The bolt 26 has a non-threaded shaft 28 and a head 30 which has a rectangular geometry in longitudinal section and has over the peripheral surface of the shaft 28 protruding head portions 32, 34, each having a transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bolt 26 extending receiving recess 36, 38. In the head 30, an opening 40 is further provided to the bolt by means of z. B. a tool especially when pulling out of the closure device 10 to capture.

In order to secure the bolt 26, in the exemplary embodiment, the upper block-like component or component 14 -also to be referred to as a closure block-passes through a through-opening 42 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 27 of the bolt 26, which consists of an inner cylindrical section 44 with an internal thread 46 and an outer cylindrical portion 48 of larger cross-section, which is freely accessible. The passage opening 42 runs parallel to the front or rear side of the block-like component 14.

In the passage opening 42 a locking screw 50 can be screwed. The locking screw 50 engages with its front end 52 in the groove-like recess 38 of the bolt head 30 when the closure blocks 12, 14 are assembled, so the comb-like portions 20, 22 interlock and the bore 24 freely accessible and properly penetrated by the shaft 28 is. In order to ensure a clear alignment of the bolt head 30, the closure blocks 12, 14, ie the comb-like structures having longitudinal sides 16, 18 groove-like recesses 54, 56, into which the head portions 32, 34 of the bolt head 30 engage.

Furthermore, it can be seen from the drawings that the screw 50 has a head 58 with coding, so that detachment is possible only with a special tool.

The closure device 10 according to the invention is resistant to mechanical shock and shear stress, since the pin 26 within the contour of the existing in particular of solid steel components 12, 14, d. H. whose comb-like structures 20, 22, runs. The closure blocks 12, 14 with their comb-like sections 20, 22 and the penetrated by the bolt 26 holes 24, the bolt 26 itself and the groove-like receptacles 54, 56 for the bolt head sections 32, 34 can be roughly tolerated without affecting the function. As a result, a low-maintenance operation is guaranteed. Furthermore, the locking screw 50 must be tightened only with low torque, since the main locking function is performed by the connection of the comb-like structure, so the intermeshing comb-like portions 20, 22 of the components 12, 14 with the bolt 26.

The locking screw 50 can be tightened and loosened by means of a simple hand tool. The bolt 26 can be manually inserted into the bore 24 or pulled out of it, wherein the opening 40 provides assistance. The fact that the screw head 58 is provided with a coding, a release is possible only with a coded tool.

Claims (11)

1. A locking mechanism (10), in particular for containers (110) for transporting radioactive substances, comprising a first and a second component (12, 14), each possessing a comb-like section (20, 22), whereby a bolt element (26) passes through the comb-like sections when the locking mechanism is locked, whereby the bolt element (26) possesses a head (30) with at least one accommodating recess (36,38) that extends at right angle relative to longitudinal axis (27) of the bolt element, and
   characterized in that
   at least one of the components (12, 14) possesses an opening (42), which-when the bolt passes through the comb-like sections (20, 22)-is aligned with the at least one accommodating recess (36, 38), and in that when the locking mechanism (10) is locked, an element (50) is secured in the opening and partially extends into the accommodating recess.
2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the head (30) of the bolt element (26) possesses head sections (32, 34) with rectangular cross-sections, which extend symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis (27) of the bolt element and project beyond its circumference, and in that each component (12, 14) possesses a preferably groove-like guide recess (54, 56), which accommodates one of the head sections.
3. The locking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   an accommodating recess (36, 38) is provided in each head section (32, 34).
4. The locking mechanism according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the element (50) that can be secured in the opening (40) is a screw element that can be screwed into the opening.
5. The locking mechanism according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the screw element possesses a coded head (58).
6. The locking mechanism according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the component (12, 14) possesses a cuboid or block-like geometry, from a first longitudinal side (16, 18) of which originates the comb-like section (20, 22) or is embodied as such.
7. The locking mechanism according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the opening (42) extends from the longitudinal side of the component (12, 14) that is situated opposite to the first longitudinal side (16, 18).
8. The locking mechanism according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the components (12, 14) consist of steel.
9. An arrangement for the transport of preferably Uranium Hexafluoride, comprising a container (110) that can be assembled from a first and a second shell (112, 114), whereby the shells can be locked by means of at least one locking mechanism (10, 116, 118, 120), which comprises a first and a second component (12, 14), each with a comb-like section (20, 22), whereby whenever the locking mechanism is locked, a bolt element (26) passes through the then interlocking comb-like sections, whereby the bolt element (26) possesses a head (30) with at least one accommodating recess (36,38) extending at right angle relative to the longitudinal axis (27) of the bolt element, and
   characterized in that
   at least one of the components possesses an opening (42), which-when the bolt passes through the comb-like sections (20, 22)-is aligned with the at least one accommodating recess (36, 38), and that when the locking mechanism is locked, an element (50) is secured in the opening, extending at least partially into the accommodating recess.
10. The arrangement according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    along each longitudinal side of the container (110) are provided at least two and preferably three locking mechanisms (116, 118, 120).
11. The arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a locking mechanism according to at least one of claims 1-8.

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