GB1002069A - A depository for containers of radioactivity possessing substances - Google Patents

Abstract

1,002,069. Storing radioactive material. F. J. GATTYS, [trading as FRANZ-JOSEF GATTYS INGENIEWBUERO]. March 20, 1963 [March 24, 1962], No. 11010/63. Heading B4Q. A storage arrangement for cylindrical containers 4 of radio-active material comprises, Figs. 1, 3, a number of inclined channels 1 disposed beneath the ground and sealed at the ends by doors 6. The channels 1 are formed of pipe-sections 2 having a rectangular crosssection corresponding to a container 4 when the latter is on its side, guide ribs 5 on the containers co-operating with rails 3 in the channels whereby a container 4 lowered through a vertical shaft 7 into the upper end of a channel by a vehicle 7a rolls under gravity towards the bottom end. The containers may be removed one-by-one from the lower ends of the channels by another vehicle operating in a space 8, this space having a ramp (Fig. 2, not shown) leading to ground level so that a check may be made on a removed container and the container then returned to the upper end of the channel. In another embodiment, Fig. 6, the container ribs 12 are fitted with rollers (Fig. 8, not shown) whereby they move lengthwise down channels 11 which are of circular cross-section. A hoist 16 traversing a rail 18 enables the containers to be lowered into the upper end of a channel and removed from the lower end; alternatively, the containers may be removed by a vehicle 9. Independently movable vertically displaceable rods 19, 20 co-operate with the ribs 12 to enable the leading container 4a to roll to the end of the channel whilst holding back the next container 4b and those behind it. In another embodiment (Figs. 9, 10, not shown) an annular channel of circular cross-section has a single access through a vertical shaft, the containers, having rollers, being moved round the channel by a motor driven chain having claws which engage the containers.