EP4631069A1

EP4631069A1 - Electromagnetically deployable and retractable irradiation capsule holding mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP4631069A1
Application number: EP23844040.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shawn C. Stafford; Jorge V. Carvajal; Michael D. Heibel
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
Current assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
Priority date: 2022-12-11
Filing date: 2023-12-11
Publication date: 2025-10-15
Also published as: KR20250120343A; AR131292A1; TW202433500A; TWI907889B; WO2024129576A1

Abstract

An apparatus for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube is provided. The apparatus comprises a body adapted to be to slidably received within an inner diameter defined by an instrumentation tube. The body defines a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures. At least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge. The body further comprises a proximal end defining an opening. The apparatus further comprises a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body. The radial spring comprises an endplate and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly. Each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent. A system for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube is also provided.

Description

TITLE

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE IRRADIATION CAPSULE HOLDING MECHANISM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/064,274 filed December 11 , 202, entitled “ELECTROMAGNETICALLY DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE IRRADIATION CAPSULE HOLDING MECHANISM,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to electromagnetically deployable and retractable irradiation capsule mechanisms.

SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the aspects disclosed herein, and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, and abstract as a whole.

[0004] In various aspects, an apparatus for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube is disclosed. In some aspects, the apparatus comprises a body adapted to be to slidably received within an inner diameter defined by an instrumentation tube, the body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge, the body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening; and a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body. In some aspects, the radial spring comprises: an endplate and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly. In some aspects, each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent. In some aspects, the detent is configured to receive a catch coupled to an electromagnet. In some aspects, the catch is a retaining ring. In some aspects, the radial spring is comprised of non-ferromagnetic material. In some aspects, a portion of the body comprises magnetic material. In some aspects, magnetic material is disposed within the body. In some aspects, the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body or disposed within the body. In some aspects, the edge of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines a beveled edge.

[0005] In some aspects, the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body in a distal direction to a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body. In some aspects, the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a second position causing the endplate to offset from a distal end of the body and to extend the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures beyond an outer diameter of the body to exert a radial force against the inner diameter of the instrumentation tube. In some aspects, in the second position the spring arms provide a friction force to maintain position within the instrumentation tube. In some aspects, the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a third position causing the endplate to be spaced apart from a distal end of the body and to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the plurality of radially distributed apertures between inner and outer diameters of the body, and wherein each of the plurality of the spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures. In some aspects, the edge of each of the plurality of spring arms defines an angle and a distal end of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an angle that complements the angle defined by each of the plurality of the spring arms.

[0006] In various aspects, a system for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube is disclosed. In some aspects, the system comprises a drive system configured to be insertable into and removable from an irradiation capsule assembly and an instrumentation tube. In some aspects, the drive system comprising: a drive cable; an electromagnet connected to the drive cable; and a catch coupled to the electromagnet. In some aspects, the system comprises an apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a body adapted to be slidably received within an inner diameter defined by the instrumentation tube, the body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge, the body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening; and a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body. In some aspects, the radial spring comprises: an endplate and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly, wherein each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent.

[0007] In some aspects, the proximal end of the body is configured to receive the electromagnet. In some aspects, the detent is configured to receive the catch. In some aspects, a portion of the body comprises magnetic material. In some aspects, insertion of the electromagnet into the proximal end of the body causes the radial spring to slide into a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body. In some aspects, removal of the electromagnet from the proximal end of the body causes the endplate to slide toward the proximal end of the body such that the radial spring slides into a second position to decompress the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures of the body. In some aspects, the electromagnet is powered on during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube. In some aspects, while the electromagnet is powered on, the electromagnet applies a magnetic force on the magnetic material which attracts a distal end of the body toward the electromagnet and the electromagnet exerts a force on the radial spring to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body. In some aspects, during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube the spring arms are disposed within the plurality of radially distributed apertures and at least one of the plurality of spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures.

[0008] In some aspects, the system further comprises an electromagnetic driver; an oscillator electrically coupled to an electromagnetic driver; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the oscillator. In some aspects, the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body to indicate a position of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material. In some aspects, as the electromagnet interacts with the magnetic material forming a portion of the body a frequency of the oscillator is altered. In some aspects, the signal processor is configured to detect proximity of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material based on alteration of the frequency of the oscillator.

[0009] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of any of the aspects disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] The novel features of the various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Throughout the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. The described aspects, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a nuclear reactor core, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rabbit assembly including a plurality of rabbits disposed in an instrumentation tube in a parked position, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rabbit with a radial spring, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a radial spring, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an instrumentation tube with a rabbit and radial spring in the parked position, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along section line 7-7, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an instrumentation tube with an electromagnet drive cable inserted in a rabbit, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective of a parking rabbit with a radial spring shown in FIG. 10 disposed within a cavity defined by a body of the parking rabbit, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a radial spring, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit disposed within an instrumentation tube with a drive cable inserted in the parking rabbit, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit disposed within an instrumentation tube with a drive cable removed from the parking rabbit, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. [0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit disposed within an instrumentation tube with a drive cable inserted to remove the rabbit from the instrumentation tube, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a system for controlling a rabbit with a radial spring, a drive cable, and a proximity sensor, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0025] Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the aspects as described in the disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the aspects described in the specification. The reader will understand that the aspects described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that such terms as “top”, “bottom”, "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the other such words are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0026] It should be noted that the illustrative examples are not limited in application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative examples may be implemented or incorporated in other aspects, variations, and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Further, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the illustrative examples for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limitation thereof. Also, it will be appreciated that one or more of the following-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples, can be combined with any one or more of the other following-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples.

[0027] Radioisotope production requires an insertable and retractable capsule system that includes one or more than one stainless steel irradiation capsule, also known to those skilled in the art as “rabbits.” Rabbits contain material to be irradiated when placed inside the reactor core. One such use of irradiated material is in the medical industry. The rabbits are irradiated for different periods of time depending on the isotope within the rabbit. To irradiate the rabbits, the rabbits are left inside the nuclear reactor for a period of time.

[0028] A mechanical apparatus is needed to retain, or “park,” the rabbits within the vertical portion of an instrumentation tube located in the instrumentation thimble after insertion. This mechanical apparatus and series of rabbits are capable of being irradiated for potentially several weeks. A drive cable inserts the rabbits and the parking mechanism. The drive cable is withdrawn after insertion and parking to prevent irradiating the drive cable for long periods. At the end of irradiation, the drive cable is reinserted to connect to the rabbit system and disengage the mechanical apparatus which parks the rabbits. The drive cable then withdraws the rabbits and apparatus from the reactor for collection of the irradiated material.

[0029] One such aspect of the parking brake mechanism allows it to support the irradiation capsule rabbits during irradiation. In one aspect, the parking brake mechanism is a radial spring, which by extending metal tabs (also known as spring arms) laterally or radially outward provides a sufficient frictional connection with the interior of the instrumentation tube walls. This frictional force will hold the parking mechanism and the rabbits in place. The spring arms will be deployed (radially outward), or withdrawn (radially inward). One such method of moving the spring arms is based on electromagnetic interaction within the bottom-most rabbit. The bottom-most rabbit contains the parking brake mechanism, e.g., the radial spring. The radial spring is disposed within a cavity of the body of the rabbit.

[0030] During insertion, one aspect of the drive system may contain an electromagnet and drive cable combination. The drive system is inserted into the bottom-most rabbit containing the radial spring (parking brake). The bottom-most rabbit is connected to a string of rabbits, all of which are inserted into the reactor. As the drive system is inserted, contact is made between the electromagnet and the rabbit ear clip endplate (also known as the endplate of the radial spring). The contact between the electromagnet and the endplate pushes the endplate against the distal end of the cavity of the rabbit. The upwards movement of the radial spring retracts the spring arms inward due to the interaction between the spring arms and the cavity wall structure. The cavity walls define a plurality of apertures which are machined to guide the spring arms inward during radial spring movement in the upward direction.

[0031] In one aspect, the electromagnet comprises a catch, which in one aspect may be a retaining ring. The spring arms also comprise gripping portions on the inner sides (also known as detents, or “teeth”), which will engage the underside of the catch or retaining ring on the electromagnet structure to provide additional mechanical stability. The electromagnet may, but need not, be energized during insertion, as the upward pressure from the drive cable provides sufficient force to push the radial spring upward, pulling the spring arms inward. [0032] After the rabbits are placed into the desired position within the instrumentation tube, the drive cable is withdrawn, removing the pressure between the radial spring endplate and the upper wall of the distal end of the cavity. The removal of pressure allows the spring arms to be deployed radially outward under the spring tension provided by the radial spring. As the drive cable is withdrawn, friction between the inner wall of the instrumentation tube and the rabbits provides a counter-force against gravity to allow the radial spring endplate to move away from the upper wall of the cavity and deploy the spring arms outward. This in turn parks the structure in place while the drive cable is fully withdrawn.

[0033] Following irradiation, the drive system is re-inserted into the instrumentation tube up to the rabbits. As the electromagnet at the end of the drive cable approaches the parking structure cavity, the electromagnet applies a force to the radial spring causing the spring arms to retract radially inward. After the electromagnet is energized, the magnetic force pulls or draws the distal end of the cavity of the rabbit toward the electromagnet. This magnetic force provides an additional force on the spring arms to pull the spring arms radially inward. The retraction of the spring arms radially inward “unparks” the structure from the inside wall of the instrumentation tube. The detents are set under the retaining ring to provide additional mechanical stability. As the drive system and rabbits are fully withdrawn from the instrumentation tube, as the cable is pulled back to withdraw the rabbit assembly, additional mechanical contact between the spring arms and inside edge of the apertures provides additional mechanical contact and stability in case the clip breaks magnetic contact with the inner wall of the rabbit. In one aspect, the inside edge of the apertures is a beveled edge.

[0034] In one aspect, at the end of the irradiation period when the drive cable is to be reinserted and connected to the rabbit structure, a proximity sensing system can be employed to indicate close proximity of the end of the drive cable to the parking structure. Greater precision in determining the position of the drive cable may be necessary to prevent undue stress on the parking structure by relying on methods of determining reinsertion length. In one aspect, the electromagnet acts as an inductive proximity sensor whose signal is affected as the end of the drive cable electromagnet structure approaches metallic and/or magnetic materials inside the parking mechanism.

[0035] The sensor embodiment works by providing a “stop” signal when the end of the drive cable approaches a material that alters the circuit properties through magnetic interaction. The proposed approach involves including the sensor’s inductance in an oscillator circuit whose frequency will be a function of the inductance of the sensor and the capacitance located within the circuit. By approaching the parking structure material, the inductance is altered which in turn alters the oscillator’s frequency. Signal processing can interpret this change as close proximity to the parking structure. This feature can also be employed to determine if contact with the parking structure has been broken during the retrieval of the rabbit system.

[0036] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a nuclear reactor core 100, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. Instrumentation tubes 102 in an operating nuclear reactor core 100 are typically accessed through a number of narrow penetrations 104 connected to instrumentation tubes of a separate target transfer system. A mechanical apparatus is needed to insert, maintain, and remove rabbits within the instrumentation tubes 102. The conventional drive cables connected to the irradiation target assemblies are irradiated with the target assemblies and emit ionizing radiation upon retraction into the remote seal table room where the target assemblies are retrieved. Consequently, the operators can be exposed to the harmful ionizing radiation emitted by the irradiated target transfer system. The drive cable needs to be removable, necessitating an apparatus for parking the rabbits in place when the drive cable is removed.

[0037] Accordingly, various aspects of the present disclosure provide various methods and devices for reliably and efficiently inserting, parking, and removing irradiation target assemblies with minimal disruption to other plant operations or without requiring extensive modification to existing plants.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rabbit assembly 200 including a plurality of rabbits 204, 206 disposed in an instrumentation tube 202 in a parked position, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. A plurality of rabbits 204 is disposed within the instrumentation tube 202. The plurality of rabbits 204 house material 244 to be irradiated. The bottom-most rabbit 206 (e.g. the parking rabbit or housing) includes a radial spring 228 for “parking” the plurality of rabbits 204 within the instrumentation tube 202. The plurality of rabbits 204 are insertable and removable from the instrumentation tube 202 after the material 244 has been sufficiently irradiated within the nuclear reactor core 100 (FIG. 1) over a predetermined period. In order to irradiate the material 244 for any period, the plurality of rabbits 204 are maintained in their position within the instrumentation tube 202 during the irradiation period. The parking mechanism in the bottom-most “parking” rabbit 206 is used to maintain the position of the plurality of rabbits 204 within the instrumentation tube 202. The plurality of rabbits 204 and the parking rabbit 206 form a rabbit assembly 200 that can be inserted, parked, and removed as a group within the instrumentation tube 202.

[0039] A drive system 208 is used to insert and position the plurality of rabbits 204 in the instrumentation tube 202 and remove the plurality of rabbits 204 from the instrumentation tube 202. The drive system 208 is insertable and removable from the instrumentation tube 202. The drive system 208 includes an electromagnet 210 and a drive cable 212. The electromagnet 210 is powered through power supply cables 214, 216. The drive system 208 is constructed from materials capable of withstanding radiation. For example, the materials used to build the drive system 208 are iron based. In another aspect, the materials used are chosen to withstand high temperatures and radiation.

[0040] The parking rabbit 206 maintains the position of the plurality of rabbits 204 within the instrumentation tube 202 by providing a sufficient frictional force against an inner wall of the instrumentation tube 202. The radial spring 228 within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 is biased radially outward to provide a radially outward force against an inner wall of the instrumentation tube 202.

[0041] In one aspect, the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 comprises a nonmagnetic material such as Aluminum or stainless steel. In one aspect, the body 218 comprises a portion of magnetic material such as iron or AINiCo (alloy made of Aluminum, Nickel, and Cobalt). In another aspect, any magnetic material is sufficient to comprise a portion of the body 218.

[0042] In one aspect, the radial spring 228 is made of copper with beryllium, but any material suitable to make a spring can be used.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a parking rabbit 206 with a radial spring 228, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. In one aspect, the parking rabbit 206 includes a body 218 defining a cavity 217 and an inner wall 232 (shown in FIG. 6) defining an inner diameter of the cavity 217, and a plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 disposed on the inner wall 232 of the body 218. A radial spring 228 (shown in FIG. 4) is disposed within the cavity 217 defined by the body 218. The radial spring 228 comprises a plurality of spring arms 220. The radial spring 228 is slidably disposed within the cavity 217 defined by the body 218. The plurality of spring arms 220 are biased radially outward. The plurality of spring arms 220 extend through the apertures 224 of the body 218.

[0044] In one aspect, the radial spring 228 comprises four spring arms 220. In another aspect, the radial spring 228 may comprise more than four spring arms 220. In another aspect, the radial spring 228 may comprise less than four spring arms 220.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a radial spring 228, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The radial spring 228 comprises an endplate 226 and a plurality of spring arms 220. The plurality of spring arms 220 extend from the endplate 226. The plurality of spring arms 220 are biased radially outward. In one aspect, each spring arm 220 comprises a detent 222. In one aspect, the detent 222 is configured to receive a catch 240 coupled to an electromagnet 210, for example. The radial spring 228 is slidably disposed within the cavity 217 defined by the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. In one aspect, the radial spring 228 is made of non-ferromagnetic material or alloys of non-ferromagnetic materials.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the spring arms 220 are biased radially outward. The radial spring 228 is biased radially outward absent a force on the endplate 226 of the radial spring 228. The spring arms 220 extend radially outward through the apertures 224 of the body 218. In one aspect, the spring arms 220 extend radially outward from the endplate 226. The spring arms 220 when moved radially inward are under a spring tension and move radially outward when the spring tension has been released.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an instrumentation tube 202 with a parking rabbit 206 and radial spring 228 in the parked position, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. In the parked position, the spring arms 220 are disposed radially outward. The spring arms 220 extend through the apertures 224 of the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. The spring arms 220 contact the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202 in the parked position.

[0048] In one aspect, to park the rabbit assembly 200 in place, the spring arms 220 exert a radial outward force against an inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202. The force “parks” the rabbits within the instrumentation tube 202. In other words, the force maintains the rabbit assembly 200 positioned within the instrumentation tube 202. The spring arms 220 create a sufficient frictional connection with the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202 to hold the parking rabbit 206 and the other rabbits 204 in place. In one aspect, a sufficient frictional force is the force required to overcome gravity for the parking rabbit 206 and the other rabbits 204 of the rabbit assembly 200.

[0049] The drive system 208 includes an electromagnet 210 and drive cable 212. The drive system 208 is insertable into the instrumentation tube 202. The electromagnet 210 is coupled to the end of the drive cable 212. The electromagnet 210 is also coupled to a catch 240. The catch 240 surrounds the electromagnet 210. In one aspect, the catch 240 is a retaining ring.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. In the parked position, the spring arms 220 extend out of the body 218 through the apertures 224. The spring arms 220 contact the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202 in the parked position. The body 218 defines a cavity 217 with an inner wall 232 of the body 218 and an outer wall 230 of the body 218. The radial spring 228 is slidably disposed within the cavity 217 and the inner wall 232 of the body 218. The parking rabbit 206 is slidable within the instrumentation tube 202.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along section line 7-7, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The drive system 208 comprises the electromagnet 210 and the drive cable 212. The electromagnet 210 is coupled to the drive cable 212. A catch 240 is coupled to the electromagnet 210. In one aspect, the catch 240 surrounds the electromagnet 210. The electromagnet is powered by cables 214, 216.

[0052] The parking rabbit 206 includes a body 218 defining a cavity having an inner diameter wall 232 defining a plurality of radially distributed apertures 224. The proximal end of the body 218 defines an opening 211. The opening 211 is configured to receive the electromagnet 210. The opening 211 permits the electromagnet 210 to be insertable into the cavity 217 defined by the body 218.

[0053] The electromagnet 210 is insertable into the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 such that the electromagnet 210 interacts with the radial spring 228. The radial spring 228 includes the end plate 226 and the radially distributed spring arms 220. Each spring arm 220 comprises a detent 222. The detent 222 is configured to interact with the catch 240 coupled to the electromagnet 210.

[0054] In one aspect, at the distal end of the cavity, the body 218 comprises magnetic material 242. In another aspect, at the distal end of the cavity 217, magnetic material 242 is disposed within the body 218. In yet another aspect, at least a portion of the body 218 comprises magnetic material 242. Magnetic material 242 is at least at the distal end of the body 218. In one aspect, the body 218 is machined such that magnetic material 242 is able to be inserted into a portion of the body 218. The body 218 is configured such that magnetic material 242 can be inserted into the machined portion of the body 218. In one aspect, the magnetic material 242 is ferromagnetic material.

[0055] In one aspect, at least one of the apertures 224 defines an edge 234. At least one of the spring arms 220 defines an edge 236. The edge 234 of the aperture 224 is manufactured to be complementary to the angle of the edge 236 of the spring arm 236. In one aspect, the edge 234 of the aperture 224 is a beveled edge. In one aspect, a second edge of the aperture 224, at the distal end, is manufactured such that the spring arms 220 can slide within the body 218 when a distal force is applied to the endplate 226 by the electromagnet 210.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an instrumentation tube 202 with an electromagnet 210 inserted in the body 218, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The insertion of the electromagnet 210 into the cavity of the body 218 exerts a distal force on the radial spring 228. The radial spring 228 is slidable within the cavity 217 defined by the body 218. The radial spring 228 is configured to slide distally when the electromagnet 210 is inserted causing the electromagnet 210 to exert a distal force on the radial spring 228.

[0057] The apertures 224 are configured to allow the spring arms 220 to retract inward when a distal force is applied to the endplate 226. The distal edges 234 of the aperture 224 are manufactured such that the spring arms 220 are pulled radially inward as the spring arms 220 retract through the apertures 224. In one aspect, the distal edges 234 of the apertures 224 are formed at an angle such that the spring arms 220 slide along the distal edge 234 of the aperture 224 as the end plate 226 is moved distally. In one aspect, the spring arms 220 are disposed within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 when the endplate 226 contacts the distal end of the cavity 217. In another aspect, the spring arms 220 are disposed within the cavity 217 when the endplate 226 contacts the distal end of the cavity 217. In another aspect, the spring arms 220 are disposed within the apertures 224 between the inner diameter of the body 218 and the outer diameter of the body 218 when the endplate 226 contacts the distal end of the cavity 217.

[0058] The distal force acting on the radial spring 228 in combination with the angled distal edge 234 of the apertures 224 allows the radial spring 228 to move slidably in the distal direction when the drive system 208 applies a distal force on the radial spring 228. In addition, this allows the spring arms 220 to retract inward. When the spring arms 220 are retracted inward, the spring arms 220 are under spring tension.

[0059] In one aspect, during insertion of the rabbits 204 and the parking rabbit 206, the drive cable 212 and the electromagnet 210 exert a distal force on the radial spring 228. The distal force exerted on the radial spring 228 transfers to the parking rabbit 206 and the other rabbits 204 when inserting the rabbits 204 and parking rabbit 206 into the desired position within the instrumentation tube 202. The endplate 226 contacts the distal end of the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. The force on the endplate 226 from the electromagnet 210 and drive system 208 moves the rabbit assembly 200 in the distal direction through the instrumentation tube 202. Thus, the force on the endplate 226 transfers to the rabbit assembly 200 to move the rabbit assembly 200 into a desired position within the instrumentation tube 202.

[0060] In one aspect, during insertion of the electromagnet 210 into the body 218, the catch 240 and detent 222 interact. The detent (or “tooth”) 222 engages the underside of the catch 240 to provide mechanical stability during insertion of the rabbit assembly 200. In one aspect, the detent 222 does not engage with the underside of the catch 240 during insertion.

[0061] In one aspect, the electromagnet 210 is not powered on during insertion. The electromagnet 210 is not powered on during insertion of the rabbits into their desired position. The distal force on the radial spring 228 by the electromagnet 210 provides the necessary force to retract the spring arms 220 into the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206.

[0062] In one aspect, the spring arms 220 do not retract into the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. For example, there may not be enough frictional resistance or rabbit weight to retract the spring arms 220 into the body 218. The spring arms 220 may be in contact with the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202 as the rabbits are inserted when there is not enough force to retract the spring arms 220. During insertion of the rabbits, the drive cable 212 and the electromagnet 210 exert a distal force on the radial spring 228. The distal force exerted on the radial spring 228 transfers to the parking rabbit 206 and the other rabbits 204 when inserting the rabbits 204 and parking rabbit 206 into the desired position within the instrumentation tube 202. Thus, the force transfers to the rabbit assembly 200 to move the rabbit assembly 200 into a desired position within the instrumentation tube 202 while the spring arms 220 contact the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202.

[0063] In another aspect, the electromagnet 210 is powered on during insertion. The electromagnet 210 can be powered on during insertion to provide additional force on the radial spring 228 to retract the spring arms 220 inward.

[0064] The radial spring 228 is slidably positionable within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 in a distal direction to a first position causing the endplate 226 to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body 218. The distal force also compresses the plurality of spring arms 220 and retracts the plurality of spring arms 220 radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the inner diameter wall of the body. In one aspect, the first position is the insertion position.

[0065] The insertion of the electromagnet 210 into the proximal end of the body 218 causes the radial spring 228 to slide into a first position causing the endplate 226 to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body 218 to compress the plurality of spring arms 220 and retract the plurality of spring arms 220 radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the inner diameter wall of the body 218.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a parking rabbit 206 with a radial spring 228 shown in FIG. 10 disposed within a cavity 217 defined by the body 210 of the parking rabbit 206, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The spring arms 220 are disposed within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. The spring arms 220 are disposed within the body 218 during insertion of the rabbit assembly 200.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a radial spring 228, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The radial spring 228, shown in FIG. 10 with the spring arms 220 positioned radially inward, is the configuration of the radial spring 228 in the body 218 shown in FIG. 9. The radial spring 228 comprises an endplate 226, a plurality of spring arms 220, and a detent 222 on each of the plurality of spring arms 220. The spring arms 220 are positioned radially inward during the insertion process.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit 206 disposed within an instrumentation tube 202 with a drive cable 212 inserted in the parking rabbit 206, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. The spring arms 220 are disposed within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206 with the electromagnet 210 inserted in the parking rabbit 206. The example shown in FIG. 11 is the insertion position of the electromagnet 210.

[0069] The insertion of the electromagnet 210 into the proximal end of the body 218 causes the radial spring 228 to slide into a first position causing the endplate 226 to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body 218 to compress the plurality of spring arms 220 and retract the plurality of spring arms 220 radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the inner wall 232 of the body 218. During insertion, the endplate 226 contacts the distal end of the cavity 217 of the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. The proximal end of the spring arms 220 is not in contact with the proximal end of the apertures 224.

[0070] In one aspect, the radial spring 228 is slidably positionable within the parking rabbit 206 in a distal direction to a first position causing the endplate 226 to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body 218 to compress the plurality of spring arms 220 and retract the plurality of spring arms 220 radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the inner wall 232 of the body 218.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit 206 disposed in an instrumentation tube 202 with a drive cable 212 removed from the parking rabbit 206, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. When the drive cable 212 has been removed after insertion, the parking rabbit 206 is in the parked position. The rabbit assembly 200 (FIG. 2) maintains its position within the instrumentation tube 202 when the parking rabbit 206 is in the parked position.

[0072] Once the rabbits 204 and parking rabbit 206 are positioned within the instrumentation tube 202 in a desired location, the drive cable 212 and electromagnet 210 are withdrawn. The drive cable 212 and electromagnet 210 move in the proximal direction, opposite the direction moved during insertion. The movement in the proximal direction eliminates the distal force on the radial spring 228. In one aspect, if the electromagnet is energized during insertion, the removal of power to the electromagnet, in combination with the movement in the proximal direction, eliminates the distal force on the radial spring 228. As a result, the spring arms 220 move radially outward as a result of the release of the spring tension. The spring arms 220 are biased radially outward, and thus are under spring tension when in the insertion position. Thus, when the force on the endplate 226 is removed, the spring arms 220 are disposed radially outward. When the electromagnet 210 is deenergized and withdrawn in the proximal direction, the detent 222 disengages from the underside of the catch 240 as the spring arms 220 move radially outward.

[0073] When the radial spring 228 moves in the proximal direction within the cavity 217 defined by the body 218, the endplate 226 moves proximally and creates a space between the distal end of the body 218 and the endplate 226. As a result, the spring arms 220 move through the radially distributed apertures 224 as the endplate 226 moves proximally.

[0074] In one aspect, the radial spring 228 is slidably positionable within the body 218 to a second position causing the endplate 226 to offset from a distal end of the body 218 and to extend the plurality of spring arms 220 radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 beyond an outer wall 230 of the body 218 to exert a radial force against the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202.

[0075] In the second position, a friction force maintains the spring arms 220 in position within the instrumentation tube 202. In one aspect, the second position is the parked position. The friction between the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202 and the spring arms 220 allows the rabbits 204 to maintain their position in the instrumentation tube 202. In one aspect, the friction force is a counter force against gravity.

[0076] Removal of the electromagnet 210 from the proximal end of the body 218 causes the endplate 226 to slide toward the proximal end of the body 218 such that the radial spring 228 slides into a second position to decompress the plurality of spring arms 220 radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 defined by the body 218.

[0077] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a parking rabbit 206 disposed within an instrumentation tube 202 with drive cable 212 inserted to remove the parking rabbit 206 from the instrumentation tube 202, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. As shown, the parking rabbit 206 is being removed from the instrumentation tube 202 with the drive cable 212 and electromagnet 210 by moving in the proximal direction. The electromagnet 210 is energized while the rabbit assembly 200 is being withdrawn. In one aspect, the energization of the electromagnet 210 prevents the spring arms from moving radially outward.

[0078] In one aspect, in order to remove the parking rabbit 206, the drive cable 212 and electromagnet 210 are inserted and the electromagnet 210, when inserted, exerts a distal force on the endplate 226. The applied distal force retracts the spring arms 220 away from the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202, similar to the insertion position. In addition, while the electromagnet 210 is being inserted into the cavity 217 defined by the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206, the electromagnet 210 is powered on. By powering the electromagnet 210, the electromagnet 210 interacts with the magnetic material 242 of the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206.

[0079] To remove the parking rabbit 206, the electromagnet 210 first exerts a distal force on the radial spring 228. In one aspect, the energization of the electromagnet 210 provides the distal force on the radial spring 228. The distal force moves the radial spring 228 in the distal direction, thereby unparking the parking rabbit 206 to move the spring arms 220 radially inward and remove the frictional force on the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202. While the electromagnet 210 is powered on, the electromagnet 210 applies a magnetic force on the magnetic material 242 which attracts a distal end of the body 218 toward the electromagnet 210 and the electromagnet 210 exerts a force on the radial spring 228 to compress the plurality of spring arms 220 and retract the plurality of spring arms 220 radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the inner wall 232 of the body 218.

[0080] After the spring arms 220 disengage the instrumentation tube 202, the drive cable 212 can move in the proximal direction. When the drive cable 212 moves proximally, without power applied to the electromagnet 210, the spring arms 220 would re-engage with the inner wall 238 of the instrumentation tube 202, thereby parking the parking rabbit 206. The electromagnet 210 provides the counter force to keep the spring arms 220 within the body 218 of the parking rabbit 206. The powered electromagnet 210 exerts a force on the magnetic material 242 of the body 218. The electromagnet 210 exerts a magnetic force in the distal direction on the radial spring 228 due to the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet 210 and the magnetic portion 242 of the body 218. The distal force applied to the radial spring 228 provides a continual force keeping the spring arms 220 positioned inward. In other words, the distal force on the radial spring keeps the spring arms 220 within the body 218 while the proximal force on the radial spring 228 and parking rabbit 206 moves the parking rabbit 206 in the proximal direction.

[0081] In addition, the detent 222 on the spring arms 220 interacts with the catch 240. The catch 240 exerts a proximal force on the detent 222 to move the rabbits 204 proximally through the instrumentation tube 202. The detent 222 provides mechanical stability while the rabbits 204 and parking rabbit 206 are being withdrawn. Without the electromagnet 210 providing the force on the spring arms 220, the detent 222 would disengage from the catch 240 when the electromagnet 210 moves proximally.

[0082] The proximal edge of the aperture 224 and the end of the spring arm 220 interact. The edge of the aperture 234 and the end of the spring arm 236 are angled such that the edge of the aperture 234 complements the angle defined by the spring arms 236. This provides additional mechanical contact and stability. In one aspect, the contact is a backup in case the magnetic contact is broken during removal. In one aspect, the edge 234 of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 defines a beveled edge.

[0083] The radial spring 228 is slidably positionable within the body 218 to a third position. The third position causes the endplate 226 to be spaced apart from a distal end of the body 218 and to dispose the plurality of spring arms 220 within the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 defined by the body 218. In the third position, each of the plurality of the spring arms 220 is in contact with the edge 234 of the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224. In one aspect, the third position is the removal position.

[0084] During removal of the parking rabbit 206 from the instrumentation tube 202 the spring arms 220 are disposed within the plurality of radially distributed apertures 224 and at least one of the plurality of spring arms 220 is in contact with the edge 234 of the radially distributed apertures 224.

[0085] FIG. 14 is a system 300 for controlling a parking rabbit 306 with a radial spring 328, drive cable 312, and proximity sensor 360, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure. At one end of the drive cable 312 an electromagnetic driver 350, an oscillator circuit 352, and a signal processor 356 are electrically coupled together. The oscillator circuit 352 is electrically coupled to a capacitor 354. At the other end of the drive cable 312 is an electromagnet 310. The electromagnet 310 interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body 318 of the parking rabbit 306. The interaction between the electromagnet 310 and the magnetic portion of the body 318 indicates a position of the electromagnet 310 relative to the magnetic material. In one aspect, the electromagnet 310 interacts with the metallic materials of the parking rabbit 306. As a result, the electromagnet 310 acts as an inductive proximity sensor 360 whose signal on the wire pair 362 is affected as the end of electromagnet 310 approaches metallic and/or magnetic materials inside the parking rabbit 306.

[0086] In one aspect, when the electromagnet 310 interacts with the magnetic material forming a portion of the body 318 a frequency of the oscillator 352 is altered. The signal processor 356 is configured to determine the proximity of the electromagnet 310 relative to the magnetic material or metallic material based on alteration of the frequency of the oscillator 352.

[0087] The signal processor 356 sends the result to a display 358 for indication of proximity. The display 358 can be in any location that is safe for a person to view the results. The indication can be a stop signal directly to the drive cable 312, a stop signal to the user via the display 358, or a distance as determined by the signal processor to be displayed. [0088] The sensor’s inductance in an oscillator circuit 352 has a frequency which is a function of the inductance of the proximity sensor 360 and the capacitance of the capacitor 354 located within the oscillator circuit 352. As the electromagnet 310 approaches the parking structure, shown here as the radial spring 328, the inductance of the electromagnet 310 is altered. The alteration of the inductance alters the magnitude and/or the frequency of the signal generated by the oscillator circuit 352. The signal processor 356 interprets the change in magnitude or frequency as proximity of the electromagnet 310 to the parking rabbit 306. The signal processor 356 then can send the proximity data to a user or directly to the electromagnet driver 350.

[0089] The proximity sensor 360, in one aspect, can determine if the connection between parking rabbit 306 and the electromagnet 310 has been broken while withdrawing the rabbit assembly (e.g., the rabbit assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2). When withdrawing the parking rabbit 306 a disconnection between the electromagnet 310 and parking rabbit 306 is possible. If such a disconnection occurs, the parking rabbit 306 would “park” the rabbit assembly at the location of disengagement. A user would not know that disengagement occurs until the drive cable 312 has been removed and the user would be unable to know where the rabbit assembly was within the instrumentation tube 302.

[0090] The proximity sensing capabilities of the electromagnet 310 and oscillator 352 prevent a disconnection from going undetected. The signal processor 356 can interpret the alteration of the magnitude or frequency of the signal generated by the oscillator circuit 352 as whether the electromagnet 310 is connected or disconnected from the parking rabbit 306. The indication of connection or disconnection can be displayed on display 358 or sent to the electromagnet driver 350 to automatically reconnect the electromagnet 310 and parking rabbit 306.

[0091] Various aspects of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the aspects listed in the following numbered clauses.

[0092] Clause 1 - An apparatus for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube, the apparatus comprising a body adapted to be to slidably received within an inner diameter defined by an instrumentation tube. The body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge. The body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening. The apparatus further comprising a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body.

The radial spring comprises: an endplate; and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly. Each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent.

[0093] Clause 2 - The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the detent is configured to receive a catch coupled to an electromagnet.

[0094] Clause 3 - The apparatus of clauses 1-2, wherein the catch is a retaining ring.

[0095] Clause 4 - The apparatus of clauses 1-3, wherein the radial spring is comprised of non-ferromagnetic material.

[0096] Clause 5 - The apparatus of clauses 1-4, wherein a portion of the body comprises magnetic material.

[0097] Clause 6 - The apparatus of clauses 1-4, wherein magnetic material is disposed within the body.

[0098] Clause 7 - The apparatus of clauses 2-6, wherein the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body or disposed within the body.

[0099] Clause 8 - The apparatus of clauses 1-7, wherein the edge of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines a beveled edge.

[0100] Clause 9 - The apparatus of clauses 1-8, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body in a distal direction to a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

[0101] Clause 10 - The apparatus of clauses 1-9, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a second position causing the endplate to offset from a distal end of the body and to extend the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures beyond an outer diameter of the body to exert a radial force against the inner diameter of the instrumentation tube.

[0102] Clause 11 - The apparatus of clause 10, wherein in the second position the spring arms provide a friction force to maintain position within the instrumentation tube.

[0103] Clause 12 - The apparatus of clauses 1-11, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a third position causing the endplate to be spaced apart from a distal end of the body and to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the plurality of radially distributed apertures between inner and outer diameters of the body, and wherein each of the plurality of the spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures.

[0104] Clause 13 - The apparatus of clauses 1-13, wherein the edge of each of the plurality of spring arms defines an angle and a distal end of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an angle that complements the angle defined by each of the plurality of the spring arms.

[0105] Clause 14 - A system for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube, the system comprising a drive system configured to be insertable into and removable from an irradiation capsule assembly and an instrumentation tube. The drive system comprising: a drive cable; an electromagnet connected to the drive cable; and a catch coupled to the electromagnet. The system further comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprising: a body adapted to be slidably received within an inner diameter defined by the instrumentation tube. The body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge. The body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening. The apparatus further comprising a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body. The radial spring comprises: an endplate; and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly. Each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent.

[0106] Clause 15 - The system of clause 14, wherein the proximal end of the body is configured to receive the electromagnet.

[0107] Clause 16 - The system of clauses 14-15, wherein the detent is configured to receive the catch.

[0108] Clause 17 - The system of clauses 14-16, wherein a portion of the body comprises magnetic material.

[0109] Clause 18 - The system of clauses 14-17, wherein insertion of the electromagnet into the proximal end of the body causes the radial spring to slide into a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

[0110] Clause 19 - The system of clauses 14-18, wherein removal of the electromagnet from the proximal end of the body causes the endplate to slide toward the proximal end of the body such that the radial spring slides into a second position to decompress the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures of the body.

[0111] Clause 20 - The system of clauses 14-19, wherein the electromagnet is powered on during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube. [0112] Clause 21 - The system of clauses 14-20, wherein while the electromagnet is powered on, the electromagnet applies a magnetic force on the magnetic material which attracts a distal end of the body toward the electromagnet and the electromagnet exerts a force on the radial spring to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

[0113] Clause 22 - The system of clauses 14,-21 wherein during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube the spring arms are disposed within the plurality of radially distributed apertures and at least one of the plurality of spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures.

[0114] Clause 23 - The system of clauses 14-22, further comprising: an electromagnetic driver; an oscillator electrically coupled to an electromagnetic driver; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the oscillator.

[0115] Clause 24 - The system of clause 23, wherein the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body to indicate a position of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material.

[0116] Clause 25 - The system of clause 24, wherein as the electromagnet interacts with the magnetic material forming a portion of the body a frequency of the oscillator is altered.

[0117] Clause 26 - The system of clause 25, wherein the signal processor is configured to detect proximity of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material based on alteration of the frequency of the oscillator.

[0118] All patents, patent applications, publications, or other disclosure material mentioned herein, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual reference was expressly incorporated by reference respectively. All references, and any material, or portion thereof, that are said to be incorporated by reference herein are incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference and the disclosure expressly set forth in the present application controls.

[0119] The aspects described herein are understood as providing illustrative features of varying detail of various aspects of the present disclosure; and therefore, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that, to the extent possible, one or more features, elements, components, constituents, ingredients, structures, modules, and/or aspects of the disclosed aspects may be combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged with or relative to one or more other features, elements, components, constituents, ingredients, structures, modules, and/or aspects of the disclosed aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications or combinations of any of the exemplary aspects may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, persons skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein upon review of this specification. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by the description of the various aspects, but rather by the claims.

[0120] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g. ,"a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0121] In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those aspects where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those aspects where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be typically understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0122] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although claim recitations are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are described, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

[0123] It is worthy to note that any reference to "one aspect," "an aspect," "one aspect," "an aspect," "an exemplification," "one exemplification," and the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one aspect," "in an aspect," "in one aspect," "in an aspect," "in an exemplification," and "in one exemplification" in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0124] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include the plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0125] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, lower, upper, front, back, and variations thereof, shall relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the accompanying drawing and are not limiting upon the claims unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0126] The terms "about" or "approximately" as used in the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, means an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain aspects, the term "about" or "approximately" means within 1 , 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain aspects, the term "about" or "approximately" means within 50%, 200%, 105%, 100%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1 %, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0127] In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all aspects by the term "about," in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0128] Any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 100, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 100. Also, all ranges recited herein are inclusive of the end points of the recited ranges. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes the end points 1 and 100. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification.

[0129] Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0130] The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as "includes" and "including") and "contain" (and any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube, the apparatus comprising: a body adapted to be to slidably received within an inner diameter defined by an instrumentation tube, the body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge, the body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening; and a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body, wherein the radial spring comprises: an endplate; and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly; wherein each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detent is configured to receive a catch coupled to an electromagnet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the catch is a retaining ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial spring is comprised of nonferromagnetic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the body comprises magnetic material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein magnetic material is disposed within the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body or disposed within the body.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the edge of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines a beveled edge.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body in a distal direction to a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a second position causing the endplate to offset from a distal end of the body and to extend the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures beyond an outer diameter of the body to exert a radial force against the inner diameter of the instrumentation tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein in the second position the spring arms provide a friction force to maintain position within the instrumentation tube.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial spring is slidably positionable within the body to a third position causing the endplate to be spaced apart from a distal end of the body and to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the plurality of radially distributed apertures between inner and outer diameters of the body, and wherein each of the plurality of the spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the edge of each of the plurality of spring arms defines an angle and a distal end of each of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an angle that complements the angle defined by each of the plurality of the spring arms.

14. A system for translating and stopping an irradiation capsule assembly in an instrumentation tube, the system comprising: a drive system configured to be insertable into and removable from an irradiation capsule assembly and an instrumentation tube, the drive system comprising: a drive cable; an electromagnet connected to the drive cable; and a catch coupled to the electromagnet; and an apparatus comprising: a body adapted to be slidably received within an inner diameter defined by the instrumentation tube, the body defining a cavity having an inner wall defining a diameter and a plurality of radially distributed apertures, wherein at least one of the plurality of radially distributed apertures defines an edge, the body further comprising a proximal end defining an opening; and a radial spring slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the body, wherein the radial spring comprises: an endplate; and a plurality of spring arms extending from the endplate and biased radially outwardly; wherein each one of the plurality of spring arms comprises a detent.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the body is configured to receive the electromagnet.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the detent is configured to receive the catch.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein a portion of the body comprises magnetic material.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein insertion of the electromagnet into the proximal end of the body causes the radial spring to slide into a first position causing the endplate to exert a distal force on a distal end of the body to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein removal of the electromagnet from the proximal end of the body causes the endplate to slide toward the proximal end of the body such that the radial spring slides into a second position to decompress the plurality of spring arms radially outwardly through the plurality of radially distributed apertures of the body.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the electromagnet is powered on during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein while the electromagnet is powered on, the electromagnet applies a magnetic force on the magnetic material which attracts a distal end of the body toward the electromagnet and the electromagnet exerts a force on the radial spring to compress the plurality of spring arms and retract the plurality of spring arms radially inwardly to dispose the plurality of spring arms within the inner wall of the body.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein during removal of the apparatus from the instrumentation tube the spring arms are disposed within the plurality of radially distributed apertures and at least one of the plurality of spring arms is in contact with the edge of the plurality of radially distributed apertures.

23. The system of claim 14, further comprising: an electromagnetic driver; an oscillator electrically coupled to an electromagnetic driver; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the oscillator.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the electromagnet interacts with magnetic material forming a portion of the body to indicate a position of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein as the electromagnet interacts with the magnetic material forming a portion of the body a frequency of the oscillator is altered.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the signal processor is configured to detect proximity of the electromagnet relative to the magnetic material based on alteration of the frequency of the oscillator.