Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Stephen Agace
Date of Patent Issuance: August 31, 2010
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: Holtec International, Inc.
Equipment Type: Shielded Transfer Canister
Docket Number: HOL-012
Application Number: 11/871,095
Patent Number(s): US 7,786,456 B2
Prior Publication Data: US 2008/0265182 A1 (Oct. 30, 2010)
Related US Application Data: Provisional application No. 60/850,733, filed on Oct. 11, 2006.
Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a container holding radioactive materials. The invention utilizes a sleeve-like structure that is slid over a container holding high level radioactive materials to add radiation shielding protection. Because the sleeve-like structure and container are non-unitary and slidably separable from one another, crane lifting capacity is not affected. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus comprising: a tubular shell constructed of a gamma radiation absorbing material and having an inner surface that forms a cavity having an axis, the cavity having an open top end and an open bottom end; a plurality of spacers extending from the inner surface of the shell toward the axis of the cavity, the spacers extending a first height from the inner surface of the tubular shell; and one or more flange members located at or near the open top end of the cavity extending from the tubular shell toward the axis of the cavity, the flange member extending a second height from the inner surface of the shell, the second height being greater than the first height.