Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Charles Bullard, John Zhai
Date: Sep. 3, 2024
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: Holtec International
Equipment Type: HI-STAR 100
Docket Number: HOL-131
Application Number: 18/109,290
Patent Number: US 12,080,440 B2
Korean Patent Number: 10-2683251
European Patent: EP4042451
Prior Publication Data: US 2023/0197304 A1 – Jun. 22, 2023
Related U.S. Application Data:
- Continuation of application No. 17/374,005, filed on Jul. 13, 2021, now Pat. No. 11,610,696, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 17/061,700, filed on Oct. 2, 2020, now Pat. No. US 11,081,249 B2, and a continuation-in-part of application No. 17/132,102, filed on Dec. 23, 2020, and a continuation-in-part of application No. 17/165,224, filed on Feb. 2, 2021, and a continuation-in-part of application No. 17/181,439, filed on Feb. 22, 2021, now Pat. No. 11,373,775.
- Provisional application No. 62/910,073, filed on Oct. 3, 2019.
Abstract: A nuclear waste cask with impact protection includes impact limiters detachably coupled to opposite ends of the cask. Each impact limiter may comprise a deformable energy-absorbing perforated sleeve of cylindrical shape comprising an array of closely-spaced longitudinally elongated perforations. The perforations may comprise longitudinal passages having a circular cross-sectional shape in certain embodiments. The perforated sleeve may have an annular metallic body of monolithic unitary structure in which the perforations are formed and a central opening to receive the ends of the cask therein. When exposed to external impact forces such as created by dropping the cask, the perforations collapse inwards in the impact or crush zone to absorb the energy of fall while preventing or minimizing any forces transmitted to the cask to maintain the integrity of waste containment barrier.