GB867297A - Improvements in or relating to remote-handling manipulators for radio-active substances - Google Patents

Abstract

867,297. Handling radioactive materials. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. July 16, 1957 [July 17, 1956], No. 22164/56. Class 39(4). A manipulator for the remote handling of radioactive materials within a shielding cubicle having walls 5, 6 of interlocking lead or cast iron bricks, comprises a carriage 15 movable along a narrow slot 9 in the wall 5, the slot being about six feet above the level of the mild steel plate floor 2 supported by concrete blocks 1. A slide 17 in the carriage 15 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the carriage motion and carries a number of vertical members 19 having at their lower ends a tongs 29, a pipette 30, or a hook 31. Push buttons are mounted on a facing carried by the slide 17 exteriorly of the wall 5 (Fig. 3, not shown) whereby the devices at the lower ends of the members 19 may be actuated. In a modification (Fig. 5, not shown) a tongs may be operated by a pistol grip through a Bowden cable. A friction brake on the carriage 15 (Fig. 4, 'not shown) holds the carriage and slide 17 in the positions in which they have been set and may be released by a twist grip. Girders 11 support the cast iron roof blocks 14 and one of the girders may support a trolley 12 carrying supplies 48, 49 of liquid and gas reagents, the trolley being coupled to the carriage 15 to move therewith. The cubicle is lit by fluorescent tubes 32 and the interior is observed through lead glass windows 26. Plugs 24 permit the entry of electric leads. The work bench 21 has a rail system 23 to permit movement of the substances for treatment or examination.