EP3622135A1

EP3622135A1 - Containment airlock comprising an articulated, collapsible self-supporting frame

Info

Publication number: EP3622135A1
Application number: EP18728217.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal Thomas; Christian LEMARQUAND; Guillaume GARNIER
Original assignee: Orano Cycle SA
Current assignee: Orano Demantelement SAS
Priority date: 2017-05-10
Filing date: 2018-05-07
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-07
Also published as: CN110678616A; KR20200004367A; CN110678616B; JP2020519883A; US11193300B2; ES2847888T3; FR3066209A1; US20200165838A1; EP3622135B1; WO2018206893A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a containment airlock (1), in particular an airlock for intervention on a site likely to be contaminated with radiation, asbestos and biological and/or chemical agents. The containment airlock (1) comprises a self-supporting frame (3) and a flexible containment shell (5). The shell (5) is configured to be assembled with the frame (3). The frame (3) is articulated so as to be extensible between a folded storage position and an extended intervention position. The frame (3) comprises articulated reinforcement rods (7). The articulated reinforcement rods (7) comprise rigid segments (72, 74) and at least one intermediate articulation (8) connecting the segments (72, 74).

Description

CONTAINING SAS COMPRISING A SELF-SUPPORTING CHASSIS ARTICULATED AND FOLDABLE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the field of containment locks, including the airlock of intervention on a site likely to present a radiological contamination, asbestos, biological and / or chemical. The containment lock is rigid frame and self-supporting.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

There are containment locks to operate on nuclear sites with a rigid chassis. These containment locks are particularly used during targeted interventions on a nuclear facility, such as a reactor or a fuel cycle facility workshop, to ensure containment during specific operations presenting a risk of material dissemination. radioactive. These interventions are, for example, inspections, maintenance, dismantling, packaging or transfer of contaminated equipment.

The rigid frame is formed by metal tubes nested to each other. It is covered with a radioactive dust-proof envelope. This envelope is usually made from sheets of vinyl material which are fixed to the frame and to each other by adhesive.

The installation of the containment lock and its sanitation and dismantling following the intervention are often not easy and therefore time consuming.

As a result, they expose operators to a risk of contamination longer.

This results in disadvantages in terms of safety, cost and duration of intervention that can be significant on the entire site.

Moreover, the quality of the containment provided by these known envelopes is largely perfectible, especially because of the detachment of adhesives. Periodic reinstatement actions of the airlocks take place. Finally, generally, existing containment locks include the rigid chassis of the lock which must be decontaminated for reuse and not be considered waste, this operation can be difficult and tedious.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to at least partially solve the problems encountered in the solutions of the prior art.

In this respect, the subject of the invention is a containment lock, in particular an airlock on a site likely to present radiological, asbestos, biological and / or chemical contamination.

One of the goals is to have an airlock quickly deployable and removable.

Another purpose is also to have standardized size airlocks that can be easily assembled to each other when a larger containment area is required to perform the intervention.

Yet another object of the invention is to limit fasteners by adhesives.

Finally, an object of the invention is also to limit or even to avoid subjecting the structure carrying the airlock to the risk of contamination induced by the operations that take place outside the airlock, or preferably within the airlock. airlock.

Thus, the containment lock comprises a self-supporting frame and a flexible containment envelope. The frame is articulated to be unfoldable between a folded storage position and an extended intervention position. The flexible containment envelope is configured to be removably assembled to the frame.

According to the invention, the frame comprises a first foldable frame, a second foldable frame, and rigid and monobloc frame rods which connect the first frame to the second frame.

The first frame and the second frame each comprise vertices of the frame and articulated reinforcing rods which connect the tops of the first frame between them and the tops of the second frame between them. The articulated reinforcing rods each comprise a first rigid segment, a second rigid segment and at least one intermediate hinge connecting the first segment to the second segment.

The rigid and monobloc reinforcement rods connect the vertices of the first frame to the vertices of the second frame. The first frame and the second frame are located at opposite longitudinal ends of the rigid and one-piece frame rods.

The first frame and the second frame are configured so that the segments of the hinged frame rods approach the rigid frame rods as the frame moves from its deployed position to its folded position, and for the segments of the frame rods. articulated away from the rigid armature rods as the frame moves from its folded position to its deployed position.

The installation of the containment lock and the dismantling of the containment lock according to the invention are faster and easier, while allowing a relative modularity in the shape and size of the confinement zone formed. The containment lock reduces the exposure of an operator to the risk of radiological, asbestos, chemical and / or biological contamination. The airlock confirms also has a very satisfactory mechanical strength, while being fast and easy to install and disassemble.

The invention may optionally include one or more of the following features combined with one another or not.

Advantageously, the intermediate articulation of each articulated armature rod is configured to produce and guide the rotation of a first segment of the armature rod relative to a second segment of the armature rod, towards the inside of the frame when the chassis moves from its deployed position to its folded position or to the outside of the chassis as the chassis moves from its folded position to its deployed position.

Preferably, the intermediate joint is configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment in a pivot connection.

According to a particular embodiment, the intermediate joint of each articulated armature rod is located substantially in the middle of the armature rod. According to an advantageous embodiment, the intermediate articulation of at least one of the articulated reinforcing rods comprises a locking member configured to lock the position of a first segment of the armature rod relative to the position of a second segment of the reinforcing rod.

Preferably, the intermediate joint comprises a yoke and the locking member comprises a latch which is movable relative to the yoke between a locking position and an unlocking position of the joint.

According to another particular embodiment, the frame comprises vertices, the articulated reinforcing rods connecting the tops. At least one of the vertices is configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment of a first armature rod relative to that vertex, toward the inside of the chassis as the chassis moves from its deployed position to its folded position or to the outside the chassis as the chassis moves from its folded position to its deployed position.

Preferably, this vertex is configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment in a pivot connection, in particular in a vertical plane.

Advantageously, at least one of the vertices comprises a housing for partially accommodating the first segment, the housing being at least partially delimited by walls that are configured to pivot the first segment relative to this vertex, when the chassis moves from its deployed position to its folded position or its folded position to its deployed position.

According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the vertices comprises an internal endpiece configured to formally engage at least one segment of a reinforcing rod which is connected to this vertex.

According to another particular embodiment, at least one of the vertices comprises at least a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a horizontal wall and an internal wall. The first side wall, the second side wall and the horizontal wall are two orthogonal and intersecting with each other. The inner wall extends perpendicularly to the horizontal wall. The side walls each have a substantially triangular outer surface. The inner wall includes a first segment that extends parallel to the first side wall and a second segment that extends parallel to the second side wall. The first segment and the second segment each have a substantially triangular outer surface.

The inner wall, in particular the first segment, delimits with the first lateral wall a first internal housing for an articulated armature rod segment. The inner wall, in particular the second segment, delimits with the second lateral wall a second internal housing for an articulated armature rod segment. The inner wall delimits together with the side walls a central duct for one of the rigid and monobloc armature rods.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the vertices is connected to a segment of a second articulated armature rod. This vertex is configured to allow rotation and guide the segment of the second rod relative to this vertex, by bringing it closer to the first segment of the first rod when the frame moves from its deployed position to its folded position or away from the first one. segment of the first rod as the chassis moves from its folded position to its deployed position.

Preferably, at least one of the vertices is also connected to a third reinforcing rod being rigidly secured to the third reinforcing rod when the chassis passes from its folded position to its deployed position or from its deployed position to its folded position. .

Advantageously, the first frame is a horizontal support frame, the second frame is a horizontal ridge frame, the rigid and monobloc frame rods are frame uprights.

Preferably, the amounts are in particular vertical uprights which are orthogonal to the first frame and the second frame.

Advantageously, each intermediate hinge of the articulated frame rods of the second frame comprises a locking member which is configured to lock the position of a first segment of the armature rod relative to the position of a second segment of the rod. frame. Preferably, the articulated frames of the first frame are devoid of locking members.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the containment lock has a generally parallelepipedal shape, at least when the chassis is in the deployed position.

Preferably, the containment lock has a generally parallelepipedal shape when the frame is in the folded position.

Advantageously, the envelope is configured to be assembled to the frame so that the frame is outside the envelope.

According to another embodiment, the flexible envelope is made in one piece by welded plastic panels.

Advantageously, the envelope is made of a dust-tight material.

Preferably, the plastic material comprises cross-linked polyurethane and / or a vinyl polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride.

Advantageously, the airlock comprises hooks for removably attaching the envelope to the frame.

Preferably, the flexible envelope comprises eyelets, preferably plastic, to which are connected the hooks.

According to a particular embodiment, the containment lock is equipped with depressurization means configured to create a depression inside the airlock relative to the pressure of the air outside the airlock.

Preferably, these depressurizing means are used at the end of the intervention when the flexible envelope is contaminated, to suck air contained in the envelope to reduce its volume and make it more compact for disposal. This operation is then performed without direct intervention of the operators on the envelope, avoiding the decontamination, disassembly and folding of the envelope by the operators, thereby limiting the risk of contamination for operators and their duration of intervention.

Preferably, the depressurizing means comprise an exhaust fan, a filter and / or coupling sleeves. The invention also relates to a confinement assembly comprising a plurality of containment locks as defined above which are juxtaposed and connected together to form a confinement zone. This containment zone is usable for radiological, asbestos, biological and / or chemical contamination

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given purely by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective representation of a containment lock according to a first preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a partial schematic perspective view of the frame of the containment lock, in the deployed position;

Figure 3 is a partial schematic perspective view of the frame of the containment lock in an intermediate position between its folded position and its deployed position;

Figure 4 is a partial schematic perspective view of the frame of the containment lock in the folded position;

Figure 5 is a partial schematic representation in perspective of an intermediate hinge of the frame, in the unlocked position;

Figure 6 is a partial schematic representation in perspective of the intermediate joint, in the locking position;

Figure 7 is a partial schematic representation of a top of the frame of the containment lock;

FIG. 8 represents a confinement assembly comprising two juxtaposed containment locks, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 9 represents a confinement assembly comprising four juxtaposed containment locks, according to a second embodiment. DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a containment lock 1. The containment lock 1 is a containment lock to intervene on a site likely to have a radiological contamination, asbestos, biological or chemical. It is for example used during targeted interventions on a nuclear facility, reactor or workshop of a fuel cycle facility in particular, to ensure containment during ad hoc operations with a risk of dissemination of radioactive material. These interventions are, for example, inspections, maintenance, dismantling, packaging or transfer of contaminated equipment.

The confined areas typically include a undressing area and a work area, as well as possibly an input-output area of materials.

The containment lock 1 comprises a frame 3, a flexible envelope 5 and means for depressurizing the containment lock 1 (not shown). The containment lock 1 is foldable, which facilitates its transportation, installation and removal, and storage. It has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, when deployed and ready to be used on a site susceptible to contamination. It also has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, when folded.

The containment lock 1 extends from bottom to top along a longitudinal axis X-X which is an axis of symmetry of the containment lock. It also extends back and forth along a Y-Y depth axis and from left to right along a transverse axis Z-Z. The longitudinal axis X-X, the depth axis Y-Y and the transverse axis Z-Z jointly form an orthonormal coordinate system.

The envelope 5 comprises a flexible fabric 50 and fasteners 56 for attaching the flexible fabric 50 to the frame 3. The envelope 5 is foldable between an extended position corresponding to the deployed position of the airlock, which is visible in FIG. and a folded storage position which corresponds to the collapsed position of the containment lock 1, which is visible in FIG. 4. It is designed to either remain attached to the chassis 3 when the chassis 3 passes from its deployed position to its folded position or be detached from the frame 3 after use, especially if it is contaminated. The flexible fabric 50 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. It is intended to be attached to the frame 3, inside the frame 3. This provision has the particular advantage of disassembly facilitated by the outside of the airlock 1, thus limiting the risk of exposure for operators carrying out disassembly.

The flexible fabric 50 is made in one piece by flexible panels 52 and welded by plastic welding. It comprises at least one opening 51, made in one of the panels 52, to let in and / or out a person or equipment from the containment lock 1.

The panels 52 are made of a material adapted to the environment at risk, generally made of plastic, particularly dust-tight. This plastic material comprises, for example, cross-linked polyurethane or a vinyl polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride.

The flexible fabric 50 is made in such a way as to be able to install, for example by cutting the fabric by means of a tool, ducts between the inside and the outside of the containment lock 1. These ducts make it possible to position the means depressurization which will ensure the depressurization of the airlock or introduce the electric cables necessary to supply tools for the intervention inside the containment lock 1.

The fasteners 56 each comprise a hook 57 and an eye 55 for retaining the hook. Each hook 57 is configured to assemble the flexible fabric 50 to the frame 3 removably. The eyelet 55, whose role is to prevent tearing of the flexible fabric, is preferably made of plastic.

The means for depressurizing the containment lock 1 (not shown) are configured to create a depression inside the chamber 1 relative to the air pressure around the airlock 1, to limit leakage and therefore the dispersion of contaminating materials .

They include an air suction pump inside the airlock, a filter and connecting ducts. The air suction pump is fluidly connected to a filter, so that the filter can filter radioactive dust or other possibly present in the containment lock 1. After intervention and after all the openings of the envelope 5 have been closed and the hooks 57 have been detached from the frame 3, the depressurizing means also have the function of sucking air contained in the flexible envelope 5 to reduce its volume, compact it and treat it as waste.

The frame 3 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. It comprises vertices 6, articulated reinforcing rods 7 and one-piece frame rods 9. The articulated reinforcing rods 7 and the rigid one-piece rods 9 mechanically connect the vertices 6 between them.

The frame 3 comprises four lower articulated reinforcing rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d which connect between them four lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. It includes four upper articulated rods of 7th, 7f, 7g, 7h which connect between them four top vertices 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h. It comprises four one-piece rods 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d which connect together the lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and the upper vertices 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h respectively.

The articulated reinforcing rods 7 are of identical two-by-two structure. The one-piece frame rods 9 are of identical two-by-two structure. The vertices 6 are of identical two-by-two structure.

The articulated reinforcing rods 7, the monoblock frame rods 9 and the tops 6 form a rigid frame when the frame 3 is in the deployed position of intervention. In other words, the chassis 3 is self-supporting.

The frame 3 is able to carry the casing 5. It is articulated to be unfoldable between a folded storage position and an extended intervention position. The frame 3 has a generally rectangular parallelepipedal shape which is shown in Figure 2, when in the deployed position. It has a rectangular parallelepiped general shape which is shown in Figure 4, when in the folded position.

The frame 3 comprises a first foldable lower frame 32, a second foldable upper frame 34, and the rigid and monoblock frame rods 9 which connect the first frame 32 to the second frame 34. The frames 32 and 34 are of identical geometry for a chassis rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first lower frame 32 comprises the four lower articulated reinforcing rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d which connect together the four lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. The first lower frame 32 is a horizontal support frame for the frame 3. It has a shape of rectangle or square in the deployed position. The lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d form a square of smaller size in the folded position.

The first lower articulated armature rod 7a extends from the first lower vertex 6a to the second lower vertex 6b. The second lower articulated armature rod 7b extends from the second lower vertex 6b to the third lower vertex 6c. The third lower articulated armature rod 7c extends from the lower third vertex 6c to the fourth lower vertex 6d. The fourth lower articulated armature rod 7d extends from the lower fourth vertex 6d to the first lower vertex 6a.

The second upper frame 34 comprises the four upper articulated armature rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h which connect together the four upper peaks 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h. The second upper frame 34 is a horizontal ridge frame for the frame 3. It has a shape of rectangle or square in the deployed position. The upper vertices 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h form a square of smaller dimension in the folded position.

The first upper articulated armature rod 7e extends from the first upper vertex 6e to the second upper vertex 6f. The second upper articulated armature rod 7f extends from the second upper vertex 6f to the third upper vertex 6g. The third upper articulated armature rod 7g extends from the third upper vertex 6g to the fourth upper vertex 6h. The fourth upper articulated armature rod 7h extends from the fourth upper vertex 6h to the first upper vertex 6e.

The rigid and one-piece frame rods 9 form vertical uprights for the frame. The first amount 9a extends from the first lower vertex 6a to the first upper vertex 6e. The second amount 9b extends from the second lower vertex 6b to the second upper vertex 6f. The third amount 9c extends from the third lower vertex 6c to the third upper vertex 6g. The fourth amount 9d extends from the fourth lower vertex 6d to the second upper vertex 6h.

With reference to FIG. 1, the articulated reinforcing rods 7 each comprise a first segment 72, a second segment 74 and an intermediate articulation 8. In FIG. 2, the intermediate joints 8 are referenced from a to h according to the rod of FIG. articulated frame 7 of which they are part. In FIG. 3, the first segments 72 are referenced from a to h according to the articulated rod 7 of which they form part. The second segments 74 are referenced from a to h according to the articulated armature rod 7 of which they form part.

The first segment 72 and the second segment 74 of each articulated reinforcing rod 7 each take the form of a hollow tube made of metallic material, typically steel. This hollow tube is of cross section in the illustrated embodiment. The first segment 72 and the second segment 74 are rigid. The first segment 72 and the second segment 74 are each connected to a different vertex 6.

The intermediate articulation 8 mechanically interconnects the first segment 72 and the second segment 74 of the articulated armature rod 7. This intermediate articulation 8 is located substantially in the middle of the articulated armature rod 7. It comprises a clevis 80 and a locking member 82.

It is configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment

72 and the second segment 74 inwardly of the frame 3 in a vertical plane, when the frame 3 passes from its deployed position to its folded position. It is in particular configured to bring the first segment 72 of the second segment 74, when the frame 3 passes from its deployed position to its folded position.

It is also configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment 72 and the second segment 74 towards the outside of the frame 3 in the vertical plane, when the frame 3 passes from its folded position to its deployed position. In particular, it is configured to move the first segment 72 away from the second segment 74 when the chassis 3 moves from its folded position to its deployed position. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the yoke 80 comprises a first receiving nozzle 81 and a second receiving nozzle 83 which is located at one end of the yoke 80 opposite that of the first nozzle 81.

The yoke 80 is configured to realize and guide the rotation of the first segment 72 relative to the second segment 74 in a pivot connection. It guides them so that the first segment 72 and the second segment 74 form a "V" of variable opening when the frame folds. It is designed to guide the articulated reinforcing rod 7 in the plane of one of the lateral faces of the frame 3.

The yoke 80 is configured to move toward the middle of the uprights 9 in the X-X height direction as the frame 3 folds. It is configured to approach the corresponding vertices in the Y-Y transverse direction and / or the Z-Z depth direction, by bringing the vertices together.

The first receiving tip 81 is intended to house a longitudinal end of the first articulated rod segment 72. It is intended to be fixed to the first segment 72. The second endpiece 83 is intended to accommodate a longitudinal end of the second articulated rod segment 74. It is intended to be attached to the second segment 74.

The locking member 82 comprises a latch 84 which is movable relative to the yoke 80 between a locking position of the hinge 8 and an unlocking position of the hinge 8. The locking member 82 is configured to lock the hinge. relative position of the first segment 72 relative to that of the second segment 74.

The unlocking position of the hinge 8 is shown in FIG.

5. In the unlocked position, the latch 84 is raised relative to the body of the yoke 80. The first segment 72 is rotatable relative to the second segment 74 in a pivot connection.

The locking position of the hinge 8 is shown in FIG.

6. In the locking position, the latch 84 is folded against the body of the yoke 80. The first segment 72 is immobilized relative to the second segment 74. Referring to FIG. 7, each vertex 6 comprises a first lateral wall 61, a second lateral wall 63, a horizontal wall 65 and an internal wall 67. The walls 61, 63, 65 and 67 form a one-piece wall of the crown 6.

The side walls 61, 63 and the horizontal wall 65 are two orthogonal and intersecting with each other. The side walls 61, 63 form lateral faces of the apex 6. The side walls 61, 63 each have a substantially triangular outer surface. The horizontal wall 65 of an upper vertex 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h forms an upper ridge wall of the vertex 6. The horizontal wall 65 of a lower vertex 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d forms a bottom support wall of the vertex 6. The horizontal wall 65 has a substantially triangular outer surface.

The inner wall 67 extends perpendicularly to the horizontal wall 65. It comprises a first segment 67a which extends parallel to the first side wall 61 and a second segment 67b which extends parallel to the second side wall 63. The first segment 67a and the second segment 67b each have a substantially triangular outer surface.

The inner wall 67 defines with the first side wall 61 a first internal housing 62. The inner wall 67 defines, with the second side wall 63, a second inner housing 64. It also delimits together with the side walls 61, 63 a central duct 66 which extends substantially vertically.

The first internal housing 62 forms a cavity open laterally on the outside of the vertex 6. It is oriented in the plane formed by the direction of the height X-X and one of the transverse direction Z-Z or the direction of the depth Y-Y. It is configured so that its walls guide one of the segments 72, 74 of a first rod, which is connected to the top 6, during its rotation between its deployed position and its folded position. The triangular outer surface of the first segment 67a and that of the first side wall 61 also make it possible to stiffen the angle connection of the articulated reinforcing rod 7 to this vertex 6.

The first internal housing 62 of one of the lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is configured so that its walls guide the segment 72, 74 of one of the rods lower articulated armature when it is rotated upwardly as the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position.

Referring, for example, to the first lower crown 6a, the walls of its first inner housing 62 pivot the first segment 72a of the first articulated armature rod 7a upward as the frame 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position .

The first internal housing 62 of one of the upper tops 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h is configured so that its walls guide the segment 72, 74 of one of the upper articulated rods when it is rotated downwards when the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position.

With reference for example to the first upper vertex 6e, the walls of its first inner housing 62 rotate the first segment 72e of the first upper articulated armature rod 7e downward, as the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its position folded.

The second inner housing 64 forms a cavity open laterally on the outside of the apex 6. It is oriented in the plane formed by the direction of the height X-X and one of the transverse direction Z-Z or the direction of the depth Y-Y. It is configured so that its walls guide one of the segments 72, 74 of a second rod, which is connected to the top 6, during its rotation between its deployed position and its folded position. The triangular outer surface of the second segment 67b and that of the second lateral wall 63 also make it possible to stiffen the angle connection of the articulated reinforcing rod 7 to this vertex 6.

The second inner housing 64 of one of the lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is configured so that its walls guide the segment 72, 74 of one of the lower articulated rods when it is rotated upwards when the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position.

With reference for example to the first vertex 6a, the walls of its second inner housing 64 pivot the second segment 74d of the fourth articulated armature rod 7d upwards, as the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position. The second segment 74d of the fourth articulated armature rod 7d then approaches the first segment 72a of the first articulated armature rod 7a.

The second inner housing 64 of one of the upper tops 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h is configured so that its walls guide the segment 72, 74 of one of the upper articulated rods during its downward rotation when the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its folded position.

Referring for example to the first upper vertex 6e, the walls of its second inner housing 64 rotate the second segment 74h of the fourth upper articulated armature rod 7h downward, as the chassis 3 moves from its deployed position to its position folded.

The central duct 66 comprises an internal endpiece configured to connect one of the uprights 9 to the top 6 by shape cooperation, fixing this upright 9 to the corresponding top 6. The central duct 66 houses one of the uprights 9, so that it is rigidly secured to the top 6, when the frame 3 passes from its deployed position to its folded position and reciprocally.

The top 6 also includes positioning indicators 68 for mechanically connecting each of the articulated reinforcing rods 7 to the top 6 with correct positioning. The positioning indicators 68 are located at the level of the horizontal wall 65.

The passage of the containment lock 1 from its folded storage position to its deployed intervention position is now described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

The intermediate joints 8 are unlocked.

The lower articulated rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are each unfolded downwards, that is to say towards the outside of the chassis 3, by pivoting their first segment 72 relative to their second segment 74 with respect to their articulation 8. Each first segment 72 pivots with respect to the lower vertex 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d to which it is connected. Each second segment 74 also pivots with respect to the lower vertex 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d to which it is connected. In other words, the lower frame 32 is unfolded downwards. The uprights 9 and the vertices 6 remain fixed. The upper articulated rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are each unfolded upwards, that is to say towards the outside of the frame 3, by pivoting their first segment 72 relative to their second segment 74 with respect to their articulation 8. Each first segment 72 pivots with respect to the upper vertex 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h to which it is connected. Each second segment 74 also pivots with respect to the upper vertex 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h to which it is connected. In other words, the upper frame 34 is unfolded upwards. The uprights 9 and the vertices 6 remain fixed.

The downward deployment of the lower rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and the upward deployment of the upper rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are in particular by moving the uprights 9 translationally between them, which causes the unfolding of articulated rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h.

The intermediate hinges 8 are locked again when the chassis is in its extended operating position which is shown in FIG.

The envelope 5 is attached to the frame 3 by the fasteners 56. The depressurization means are installed on the containment lock 1.

The passage of the containment lock 1 from its deployed position to its folded position, corresponding to the disassembly phase, is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

In the case where the flexible envelope 5 has been contaminated during the procedure, the following operations are carried out. First of all, the opening 51 is closed, as are all the openings that had been created for the intervention, in particular for the passageways of cables or conduits. The hooks 57 are detached from the frame 3 and the depressurizing means are actuated to suck air contained in the flexible envelope 5 to reduce its volume, compact while maintaining the confinement, before treating it as waste.

In the case where the flexible envelope 5 has not been contaminated during the intervention, it remains attached to the frame 3 by means of the fasteners 56.

In both cases, whether or not the frame 3 carries the flexible envelope 5, the following operations are performed to fold the airlock. The hinges 8 of the hinged frame rods 7 are unlocked by raising their latch 84.

The lower articulated reinforcing rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are each folded upwards, that is to say towards the inside of the chassis 3, by pivoting their first segment 72 relative to their second segment 74 by relative to their articulation 8. Each first segment 72 pivots relative to the lower vertex 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d to which it is connected. Each second segment 74 also pivots with respect to the lower vertex 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d to which it is connected. In other words, the lower frame 32 is folded upwards. The uprights 9 and the vertices 6 remain fixed.

The upper articulated reinforcing rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are each folded downwards, that is to say towards the inside of the chassis 3, by pivoting their first segment 72 relative to their second segment 74 by relative to their articulation 8. Each first segment 72 pivots with respect to the upper vertex 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h to which it is connected. Each second segment 74 also pivots with respect to the upper vertex 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h to which it is connected. In other words, the upper frame 34 is folded down. The uprights 9 and the vertices 6 remain fixed.

The upward folding of the lower rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and the downward deployment of the upper rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are in particular by translationally bringing the uprights 9 between them.

The intermediate joints 8 are again locked when the frame is in its folded storage position which is shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 4, the lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d have approached each other to form a square. They are in contact with each other or at least at a short distance from one another. The uprights 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are also closer to each other, remaining parallel to each other. The lower articulated rods 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are folded by being close to the uprights 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. They continue to connect the lower vertices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d them.

The upper vertices 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h have come together to form a square. They are in contact with each other or at least at a short distance from one another. The upper articulated rods 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are folded while standing closer to the amounts 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. They continue to connect the top vertices 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h between them.

Figure 8 shows a first containment assembly 2 which includes a plurality of containment locks 1a, 1b. These containment locks 1a, 1b are juxtaposed and connected together to form a confinement zone 2a. The containment lock has dimensions twice as large as the containment lock. For example, the airlock lb may constitute a undressing zone for the operators, after the intervention which would have been carried out in the zone of the airlock.

Figure 9 shows a first containment assembly 2 which comprises a plurality of containment locks la, lb, le, ld juxtaposed and interconnected to form a confinement zone 2a of greater extent. Containment locks 1a and 2a are twice as large as containment locks lb and ld.

The advantage of such an assembly of several locks 1 standard to each other is to have quickly, thanks to the rapid assembly of the chamber 1, a much larger area of intervention, with the possibility of opening certain walls 52 between two locks by cutting and to seal the interior of the airlock 1 vis-à-vis the outside of the airlock 1.

The frame 3 facilitates the installation of the containment lock 1 and its disassembly. The installation and dismantling time of the containment lock 1 is reduced. It is of the order of 5 to 10 minutes for the installation, while the installation of an airlock of known structure is typically of the order of 3 to 7 hours depending on the volume of the lock. Similarly, the disassembly time of the containment lock 1 is faster.

The containment lock 1 also allows a flexibility in the shape and size of the containment zone 2a formed by one or more containment locks 1 of the same or different sizes but standardized, which can be assembled to each other.

The flexible fabric 50 in one piece provides better protection against contamination. In general, the containment lock 1 allows, given the speed with which it can be dismantled, to reduce the exposure of operators to the risk of contamination.

Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the invention.

The number of articulated reinforcing rods 7, rigid rods and monoblocks 9 and vertices 6 is variable. In particular, the containment lock 1 may have a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example a prismatic shape.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), at least some of the vertices 6 are connected to more than three reinforcing rods 7, 9.

Furthermore, the frames 32,34 may be lateral hinged frames rather than horizontal hinged frames. In this case, the one-piece rods 9 extend for example in the transverse direction Z-Z or in the direction of the depth Y-Y rather than in the direction of the height X-X.

The shape and structure of the articulated rods 7 and one-piece rods 9 may vary. In particular, at least some of the articulated rods 7 and one-piece rods may be formed of solid bars or solid bar segments.

Alternatively and depending on the range of use of the containment lock 1, the length of the segments 72, 74 and the desired rigidity of the frame 3, the segments 72, 74 may also be made of carbon or fiberglass.

In particular, the position and the number of joints 8 of each rod is variable. For example, some rods 7 may have at least two joints and at least three segments. At least some of the joints 8 may allow a ball joint connection between segments.

According to a particular embodiment (not shown), only the articulated reinforcing rods 7 of the upper frame 34 are equipped with a locking member 82.

The shape and structure of the vertices 6 is also variable. In particular, at least one of the vertices 6 is configured to provide a ball-type connection to at least one of the segments 72, 74. The vertices 6 may also comprise moving parts between them or be monoblocs. The flexible fabric 50 may further comprise a door, consisting of a panel 52 of the same material as the fabric welded at the top and positioned to be superimposed on the opening 51.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the flexible fabric 50 also comprises one or more sleeves making it possible to provide tight connections between the inside and the outside of the containment lock 1. These cuffs can thus make it possible to position, for example , the means of depressurization which will ensure the depressurization of the airlock or introduce the electric cables necessary to supply tools for the intervention inside the airlock, or to introduce materials while maintaining the confinement.

Claims

1. Containment chamber (1), in particular an airlock at a site susceptible to radiological, asbestos, biological and / or chemical contamination, comprising:

a self-supporting frame (3), the frame (3) being articulated to be unfoldable between a folded storage position and an extended intervention position,

a flexible containment envelope (5) which is configured to be removably assembled to the frame (3),

characterized in that the frame (3) comprises a first foldable frame (32), a second foldable frame (34), and rigid and one-piece frame rods (9) which connect the first frame (32) to the second frame ( 34)

the first frame (32) and the second frame (34) each comprising vertices (6) of the frame and articulated reinforcing rods (7) which connect the vertices (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the first frame (32). ) between them and the vertices (6e, 6f, 6g, 6h) of the second frame (34) between them, the articulated reinforcing rods (7) each comprising a first rigid segment (72), a second rigid segment (74). and at least one intermediate hinge (8) connecting the first segment (72) to the second segment (74),

the rigid and monobloc reinforcing rods (9) connecting the vertices (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the first frame (32) to the vertices (6e, 6f, 6g, 6h) of the second frame (34), the first frame (32) and the second frame (34) being located at opposite longitudinal ends of the rigid and one-piece frame rods (9),

the first frame (32) and the second frame (34) being configured so that the segments (72, 74) of the hinged armature rods (7) move closer to the rigid frame rods (9) when the frame (3) moves from its deployed position to its folded position, and so that the segments (72, 74) of the articulated rods (7) move away from the rigid reinforcing rods (9) when the frame (3) passes from its folded position to its deployed position.

2. Containment chamber (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intermediate joint (8) of each articulated armature rod (7) is configured to guide in rotation a first segment (72) of the armature rod in relation to a second segment (74) of the reinforcing rod, towards the inside of the frame (3) when the frame (3) moves from its deployed position to its folded position or towards the outside of the frame (3) when the frame (3) moves from its folded position to its deployed position, preferably in a pivot connection.

3. Containment chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate joint (8) of each articulated armature rod (7) is located substantially in the middle of the articulated armature rod.

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate articulation (8) of at least one of the articulated reinforcing rods (7) comprises a locking member (82) configured to locking the position of a first segment (72) of the armature rod relative to the position of a second segment (74) of the armature rod,

the intermediate joint (8) preferably comprising a yoke (80) and the locking member (82) preferably comprising a latch (84) which is movable relative to the yoke (80) between a locking position and a position unlocking the articulation (8).

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the peaks (6a) is configured to guide in rotation the first segment (72) of a first armature rod (7a). relative to this apex (6a), towards the inside of the frame (3) when the frame (3) moves from its deployed position to its folded position or towards the outside of the frame (3) when the frame (3) moves from its folded position to its deployed position, preferably in a pivot connection.

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the vertices (6a) comprises a housing (62, 64) for partially accommodating the first segment (72, 74) of a rod articulation member (7), the housing (62, 64) being at least partially delimited by walls which are configured to pivot the first segment (72, 74) relative to this vertex (6a), when the frame (3) moves from its deployed position to its folded position or from its folded position to its deployed position.

7. Containment chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the vertices (6a) comprises an inner endpiece. configured to formally engage at least one segment (72, 74) of a reinforcing rod which is connected to that vertex (6a).

8. Containment chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the vertices (6a) comprises at least a first side wall (61), a second side wall (63), a horizontal wall ( 65) and an inner wall (67), the first side wall (61), the second side wall (63) and the horizontal wall (65) being two orthogonal and intersecting with one another, the inner wall (67) is extending perpendicularly to the horizontal wall (65),

the side walls (61, 63) each having a substantially triangular outer surface,

the inner wall (67) comprising a first segment (67a) extending parallel to the first side wall (61) and a second segment (67b) extending parallel to the second side wall (63), the first segment (67a) and the second segment (67b) each having a substantially triangular outer surface,

the inner wall (67) delimiting with the first side wall (61) a first inner housing (62) for a hinged armature rod segment (72, 74), the inner wall (67) delimiting with the second lateral wall ( 63) a second inner housing (64) for a hinged armature rod segment (72, 74), the inner wall (67) defining together with the sidewalls (61, 63) a central conduit (66) for one of the reinforcement rods (9) rigid and monobloc.

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame (32) is a horizontal support frame, the second frame (34) being a horizontal ridge frame, the reinforcing rods (9) rigid and monoblocs being amounts of the frame (3).

10. Containment chamber (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the containment lock (1) has a generally parallelepipedal shape, at least when the frame (3) is in the deployed position,

the containment lock (1) preferably having a generally parallelepipedal shape when the frame (3) is in the folded position.

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope (5) is configured to be assembled to the frame (3) so that the frame (3) is located at the outside the envelope (5).

Containment lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope (5) is made of a dust-tight material,

the shell (5) being preferably made in one piece by welded plastic panels (52), the plastic material preferably comprising cross-linked polyurethane and / or a vinyl polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride.

13. Containment chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising hooks (57) for detachably attaching the envelope (5) to the frame (3).

14. Containment chamber (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising depressurization means configured to create a depression inside the chamber (1) relative to the air pressure outside the airlock. (1).

15. Containment assembly (2) comprising a plurality of containment locks (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any one of the preceding claims which are juxtaposed and connected together, to form a confinement zone, in particular vis-à-vis radiological, asbestos, biological and / or chemical contamination.