GB2038921A - Interlocking Container Doors - Google Patents

Interlocking Container Doors Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2038921A
GB2038921A GB7937839A GB7937839A GB2038921A GB 2038921 A GB2038921 A GB 2038921A GB 7937839 A GB7937839 A GB 7937839A GB 7937839 A GB7937839 A GB 7937839A GB 2038921 A GB2038921 A GB 2038921A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
container
port
locking ring
pin
enclosure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB7937839A
Other versions
GB2038921B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Original Assignee
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UK Atomic Energy Authority filed Critical UK Atomic Energy Authority
Priority to GB7937839A priority Critical patent/GB2038921B/en
Publication of GB2038921A publication Critical patent/GB2038921A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2038921B publication Critical patent/GB2038921B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C13/00—Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general
    • G21C13/02—Details
    • G21C13/028—Seals, e.g. for pressure vessels or containment vessels
    • G21C13/0285—Seals, e.g. for pressure vessels or containment vessels for container apertures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/12—Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A port assembly to allow the transfer of toxic or radioactive materials between a container 1 and an enclosure 2, the enclosure having an opening closed by a movable port cover 8 and the container having a removable lid 3. Safety interlocks are provided to prevent removal of the container 1 from the enclosure 2 when the port cover 8 is not in position to close the port opening and to prevent the opening of the port cover 8 in the absence of a container 1. Container 1 engages with lugs 6 rotating in groove 7 on enclosure 2. Cover 8 is operated by turning ring 14, camming pin 15 and cover 8 from the port and moving extension 30 away from rocking lever 27, which then moves under spring bias to force a pin into groove 7, so preventing removal of container 1 whilst that port is open. Sensor switch 25 detects container 1 and forbids port opening in its absence. In an alternative embodiment the container is mechanically sensed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Transferring Toxic or Radioactive Materials This invention relates to the transfer of toxic or radioactive materials between an enclosure and a container in which such materials are transported.
When transferring toxic or radioactive materials it is important that there is no dispersal of the toxic or radioactive materials to the environment and, preferably, the apparatus used should be such that misuse, either accidental or deliberate, is impossible.
It is intended that the container to which the present invention is applicable will be one which has lugs adjacent its open ends which cooperate with a groove around a port opening to retain the container in position on the wall of the enclosure with its open end aligned with the port opening in the enclosure wall. The container is provided with a lid which is receivable in the open end of the container and which is engageable with the container by rotation through a part of one revolution. The container lid also has means on its outer surface which cooperate with corresponding means on a port cover to interengage the container lid and port cover in such a way that those surfaces of the lid and cover which are exposed when the container with its lid fitted is removed from the port with its cover in place are protected from contamination by the atmosphere within the enclosure.Such a container is hereinafter referred to as "a container of the kind described hereinbefore".
To ensure that the port assembly is not misused there are two situations which must be avoided if the integrity of the enclosure and container is to be maintained. These are the removal of the container when the port cover is not in place to close the port opening and the opening of the port cover with no container present.
According to the present invention a port assembly for use with a container of the kind hereinbefore described to enable transfer of toxic or radioactive materials between the container and an enclosure through a port opening comprises a groove around the port opening external to the enclosure to receive the lugs of the container, a port cover to close the port opening, a locking ring rotatable between a first position in which the port cover is locked in position in the port opening and a second position in which the port cover may be removed from the port opening, a container pin extending through the wall of the enclosure and movable from an advanced position in which it enters the groove so that rotation of the container to move the lugs past the container locking pin is not possible and a retracted position in which it does not extend into the groove allowing the container to be rotated, the position of said container locking pin being controlled by the position of the locking ring such that when the locking ring is in the first position the container-locking pin is in the retracted position and when the locking ring is in the second position the container-locking pin is in the advanced position.
In one embodiment of the invention the port cover has radially extending pins which are received in angled slots in the locking ring so that rotation of the locking ring towards the first position causes the port cover to be drawn towards the enclosure wall by the interaction between the pins and the slots and one of said pins contacts an arm carrying said container locking pin to move the arm so that the container locking pin moves towards its retracted position.
The locking ring may be rotated by an electrically controlled pneumatic cylinder and the control circuit may include a proximity switch which prevents the operation of the pneumatic cylinder unless a container is in position around the port opening.
In a second embodiment the locking ring is provided with a bridge member which has an angled slot which cooperates with a block supporting the container-locking pin so that rotation of the locking ring causes the container locking pin to move between its advanced and retracted positions. A pin-restraining plate may be located in such a position within the groove to prevent movement of the container locking pin to its advanced position when no container is present. When the lugs enter the groove and the container is rotated the pin restraining plate is moved by the lugs to a position in which the container locking pin can move to its advanced position.Movement of the locking ring when-the port cover is not in position in the port opening may be prevented by a spring loaded catch which is only released when locking pins on the port cover are located in angled slots in the locking ring.
The present invention also includes the combination of a port assembly as described above with a container of the kind hereinbefore described.
The invention will be illustrated by the following description of two embodiments thereof. The description is given by way of example only and has reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a first embodiment of a port assembly through which toxic or radioactive materials are transferred between a container and an enclosure, the view being taken from within the enclosure, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Il-Il of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view, partly in section taken in the direction of the arrow Ill of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but of a second embodiment, Figure 5 is a view partly in section of the second embodiment taken from outside the enclosure, Figure 6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the line VI--VI of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a view partially in section taken in the direction of the arrow VII in Figure 4.
Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a port assembly through which toxic or radioactive materials are transferred between a container 1 and an enclosure 2. The container has a lid 3 which is removably received in the open end of the container by means of a bayonet connection 4 and a seal 5 is provided to prevent the passage of toxic or radioactive material between the lid and the container when the container with its lid in place is removed from the port assembly and to seat against the wall around the port opening when the container is connected to the port assembly by means of lugs 6 around the container which are received in a groove 7 around the port opening. Cutaway portions of the groove wall (not shown in Figure 2) enable the lugs 6 to enter the groove 7. The port opening is closed by a port cover 8 which is supported by pivots 9 (Figure 1) on a hinged furcate member 10.A seal 11 prevents the passage of material between the port cover and the sides of the port opening. The container lid is provided on its exterior surface with female bayonet connecting means 12 which cooperate with male bayonet connecting means 13 on the port cover to interengage the container lid and port cover. When the lid and cover are interengaged all the surfaces of the lid and cover which are exposed to the environment when the lid and cover are in place in the container and port respectively and the container is separated from the port assembly are located within the seal 11 and therefore are protected from contamination.
The lugs 6 on the container and the female bayonet connecting means 12 on the container lid are so arranged that when the container is presented to the port assembly and rotated, the lugs 6 enter and are engaged in the groove 7, the male bayonet connecting means 13 on the port cover enter and interlock with the female bayonet connecting means on the container lid and the container lid 3 is released from the container.
The port cover 8 is retained in its closed position by a locking ring 14 which engages with pins 15, 1 6 extending radially from the port cover 8. The locking ring has slots 1 7 (Figure 3) which extend at an angle across the width of the ring so that rotation of the locking ring 14 towards its locked position forces the pins which are engaged with the angled slots 1 7 to move towards the port thus seating the port cover 8 on the seal 11. In its unlocked position the entrance 1 8 to the angled slot 17 is aligned with the pins 15, 16 so that the port cover 8 may be removed from the port. The pins are received in guides 19, 20. Slots (not shown) in the ring 14 receive rollers 21 mounted on blocks 22 to support the ring.The ring is rotated by an electrically controlled pneumatic cylinder (not shown) which is coupled with an operating arm 24 extending from the ring 14. The electrical circuitry to control the operation of the pneumatic cylinder includes a proximity switch 25 which passes through the enclosure wall into the groove 7 and which detects the presence of one of the container lugs 6a when it is engaged with the groove 7 to locate the container around the port opening. Only when the-lug 6a is in this position can the electrical circuit be energised to cause the pneumatic cylinder to rotate the locking ring 14. The proximity switch 25 therefore prevents the rotation of the locking ring to open the port cover unless a container is fitted around the port opening.
Additionally it must not be possible for the container 1 to be removed when the port cover 8 is not in position to occlude the port opening. This is achieved by utilising a locking pin 26 which extends into the groove 7 to prevent removal of the container unless the door is in its locked position. The pin 26 is supported on an arm 27 which pivots around a post 28 and which is urged to the position where the pin 26 extends into the groove 7 (as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3) by a spring 29. When the door 8 is in its locked position an extension piece 30 contacts the arm 27 and holds it in a position in which the pin 26 is withdrawn from the groove 7 (as shown in solid lines in Figure 3). When the pin extends into the groove rotation of the container 1 to move the lug 6 (to the right as shown in Figure 3) to release the container is not possible.It is only when the pin 26 is fully retracted which only occurs when the port cover is in its locked position that the container can be removed.
To make deliberate misuse by retracting the pin 26 when the port cover 8 is in an unlocked position more difficult, a casing 31 is provided over the post 28, arm 27 and spring 29 so that it is difficult to push the arm 27 to retract the pin.
The casing 31 is cut away at 32 to enable the extension piece 30 to enter as the pin 1 5 is pulled towards the port by the locking ring 14.
Referring now to Figures 4 to 7 there is illustrated a second embodiment of port assembly for use with the container described hereinbefore.
To avoid repetition the description of the container will not be repeated and the same reference numerals will be used to identify similar parts of the first and second embodiments.
In this second embodiment a port cover 8 is supported on a furcate member 10 and is located in its fully closed position by a locking ring 1 4a which is supported on rollers 21 in a similar manner to the ring 14 of Figure 1 and which has angled slots similar to those described hereinbefore by reference numeral 1 7 to receive pins 16, 33 extending radially from the port cover.
The pin 33 has an extension piece 34 which contacts a pivotted arm 35 when the door is in its fully closed position to move a stud 36 extending from the arm 35 away from the locking ring 1 4a against the force of a spring 37. When the stud 36 has been so moved away from the locking ring 1 4a the ring may be rotated by hand or by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) acting on the operating arm 24. As the locking ring is rotated towards the position in which the port cover may be opened, the pin 33 and extension piece 34 are moved away from the port and the stud 36 is urged towards the locking ring 14a.When the ring has rotated to the "cover-unlocked" position the pin 33 may be removed from the opening to the angled slot and the spring 37 causes the stud 36 to enter a notch 38 in the locking ring 1 4a to prevent movement of the ring. Thus the ring cannot be accidentally moved to the "coverlocked" position when the port cover is not in position in the port. To render deliberate misuse more difficult a casing 39 having a cut-away portion 40 to allow the pin 33 and extension piece 34 to enter is provided to hinder any attempt to move the arm 35 when the port cover is not in position in the port, Thus it is not possible to move the locking ring to the "cover-locked" position without the port cover being in the port.
This is important because, as will be described hereinbefore, when the locking ring is in this position it is possible to remove the container from around the outside of the port and it is one of the aims of this invention to prevent the removal of the container when the port cover is not in the port.
Turning now to Figure 5 there is illustrated a view taken from outside the enclosure showing the container 1 positioned so that the lugs 6 enter cut-away portions 41 of the wall of the groove 7.
To engage the lugs 6 in the groove 7 the container is rotated clockwise as shown in Figure 5 until the lugs 6 contact the stops 42. Rotation of the container 1 also causes the container lid to engage with the port cover and the container lid to be disengaged from the container in a similar manner to that described hereinbefore with reference to Figure 2. As the container is rotated one 6b of the lugs contacts and moves a plate 43 which is attached by screws 45 to a circular metal strip 44 which is located in the base of the groove 7.The plate 43 prevents a pin 46 entering the groove 7 when no container is present and the plate 43 is in the position shown in Figure 5 and also prevents the pin entering the groove until the container had been rotated clockwise from that position to the position in which the lugs 6 contact the stops 42 is which latter position the pin 46 can enter the groove behind the lug 6b and prevent rotation of the container to remove it until the pin 46 has been retracted from the groove 7.
To prevent movement of the plate when no container is present a button 47 (shown most clearly in Figures 6a and 6b) is urged into a recess 48 in the plate 43 by a spring 49. The button 47 is so placed that as a container is brought up to the port the container contacts the button 47 depressing it against the spring (see Figure 6b) so that it is removed from the recess 48 and the plate 43 is able to be moved.
The pin 46 extends through the wall surrounding the port and is moved into and retracted from the groove 7 by rotation of the locking ring 14a. When the locking ring 1 4a is in the "cover-locked" position the pin 46 is in the retracted position shown in full lines in Figure 7 and the container 1 may be removed whereas when the locking ring is in the "cover-unlocked" position the pin 46 extends into the groove 7 behind the lug 6b and prevents rotation of the container to remove it.
The pin 46 is carried on a block 50 having a guide stud 51 extending from its upper surface.
The stud 51 is located in a slot 52 in a bridge piece 53 connected to the locking ring 14a. The end of the slot at which the stud 51 is located when the locking ring is in the "cover-locked" position is further from the enclosure wall than the other end of the slot so that as the locking ring is moved from the "cover-locked" position to the "cover-unlocked" position the interaction between the stud 51 and slot 52 causes the pin to be extended into the groove 7. When the plate 43 is in position to prevent the pin 46 entering the groove 7 the locking ring 1 4a cannot be rotated so that the port cover cannot be removed until a container has been engaged around the port.

Claims (7)

Claims
1. A port assembly for use with a container of the kind hereinbefore described to enable transfer of toxic or radioactive materials between the container and an enclosure through a port opening comprising a groove around the port opening external to the enclosure to receive the lugs of the container, a port cover to close the port opening, a locking ring rotatable between a first position in which the port cover is locked in position in the port opening and a second position in which the port cover may be removed from the port opening, a container pin extending through the wall of the enclosure and movable from an advanced position in which it enters the groove so that rotation of the container to move the lugs past the container locking pin is not possible and a retracted position in which it does not extend into the groove allowing the container to be rotated, the position of the container locking pin being controlled by the position of the locking ring such that when the locking ring is in the first position the container locking pin is in the retracted position and when the locking ring is in the second position the container locking pin is in the advanced position.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the port cover has radially extending pins which are received in angled slots in the locking ring whereby rotation of the locking ring towards the first position causes the port cover to be drawn towards the enclosure wall by the interaction between the pins and the slots and a member contacts an arm carrying the container locking pin to move the arm so that the container locking pin moves towards its retracted position.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2 including an electrically controlled pneumatic cylinder for rotating the locking ring and having a proximity switch to prevent operation of the pneumatic cylinder unless a container is in position around the port opening.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking ring is provided with a bridge member having an angled slot which cooperates with a block supporting the container locking pin so that rotation of the locking ring causes the container locking pin to move between its advanced and retracted positions.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 including a pin-restraining plate located in the groove to prevent movement of the container locking pin to its advanced position in the absence of a container.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 including a spring-loaded catch to prevent movement of the locking ring when the port cover is not in position in the port opening.
7. A port assembly for use with a container of the kind hereinbefore described to enable transfer of toxic or radioactive materials between the container and an enclosure through a port opening substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
GB7937839A 1978-11-06 1979-11-01 Interlocking container doors Expired GB2038921B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7937839A GB2038921B (en) 1978-11-06 1979-11-01 Interlocking container doors

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7843287 1978-11-06
GB7937839A GB2038921B (en) 1978-11-06 1979-11-01 Interlocking container doors

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2038921A true GB2038921A (en) 1980-07-30
GB2038921B GB2038921B (en) 1982-07-28

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ID=26269465

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7937839A Expired GB2038921B (en) 1978-11-06 1979-11-01 Interlocking container doors

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2038921B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3538646A1 (en) * 1984-11-07 1986-05-07 British Nuclear Fuels Plc, Warrington, Cheshire DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIALS INTO AND OUT OF CLOSED SPACES
GB2255928A (en) * 1991-05-18 1992-11-25 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Double lid system
FR2927464A1 (en) * 2008-02-12 2009-08-14 Jce Biotechnology Sarl SEALED CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN TWO ENCLOSURES
FR3116645A1 (en) * 2020-11-23 2022-05-27 Jce Biotechnology Waterproof device giving access to an enclosure, as well as corresponding system for waterproof connection between two enclosures

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3538646A1 (en) * 1984-11-07 1986-05-07 British Nuclear Fuels Plc, Warrington, Cheshire DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIALS INTO AND OUT OF CLOSED SPACES
GB2166679A (en) * 1984-11-07 1986-05-14 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Apparatus for posting materials into and out of enclosures
US4668153A (en) * 1984-11-07 1987-05-26 British Nuclear Fuels Apparatus for posting materials into and out of enclosures
GB2255928A (en) * 1991-05-18 1992-11-25 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Double lid system
GB2255928B (en) * 1991-05-18 1994-08-31 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Double lid system
US5857308A (en) * 1991-05-18 1999-01-12 Aea Technology Plc Double lid system
FR2927464A1 (en) * 2008-02-12 2009-08-14 Jce Biotechnology Sarl SEALED CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN TWO ENCLOSURES
EP2091051A1 (en) * 2008-02-12 2009-08-19 JCE Biotechnology Device for watertight connection between two enclosures
FR3116645A1 (en) * 2020-11-23 2022-05-27 Jce Biotechnology Waterproof device giving access to an enclosure, as well as corresponding system for waterproof connection between two enclosures
US11901092B2 (en) 2020-11-23 2024-02-13 Jce Biotechnology Tight device giving access to an enclosure, as well as a corresponding tight connection system between two enclosures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2038921B (en) 1982-07-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19941101