Abstract: Apparatus for the remote grasping and safe transporting of an article and r remote coupling of an electrical plug connection comprises a first adapter device which is suitable for connection to a crane block and includes at least one load latch, adapted to be locked by a locking device, as well as a centrally arranged first plug member. It further comprises a second adapter device which is suitable for connection to an article to be transported and includes a pin member, adapted to be engaged with the load latch, as well as a second plug member disposed centrally within the pin member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for washing a solvent in the recessing of irradiated nuclear fuel. The solvent is washed with an aqueous solution in a mixer-settler having at least one stage which includes a mixing chamber and a settling chamber. The pH is measured by a sensor adjacent stirring means in the mixing chamber and is coupled to a controller controlling metering of the washing solution. The pH of the dispersion in the mixing chamber is measured and an amount of washing solution is added which influences the pH toward the desired operational value. Various recycling means and weir overflow means also influence pH control and the washing operation.

Abstract: A press for compressing elongated radioactive structural elements, with the ress having a horizontal press shaft and a removable counterpunch in place of which a transfer shaft can receive a finished pressed object. The press is remotely operable, has a minimum overall length, and assures that during compression as well as insertion of the pressed object into the transfer shaft, no small particles can escape from the press line and that the unavoidable swelling of the pressed object in the axial direction has no impact upon removal of the counterpunch and insertion of the pressed object into the transfer shaft. The press ram includes several insertable press ram sections, and the cover is divided into several cover portions. The horizontal press shaft is movably disposed in the pressing direction on a mounting base between two crosspieces interconnected by tie rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating and conveying feed sludge to a vitrification device comprising a fluidized bed drier, means for feeding glass frit and the sludge into the upwardly flowing gas in the drier and a long conduit leading from the drier to a vitrification device. The conduit contains a compressed gas ejector which withdraws the dried sludge from the drier and conveys it to the vitrification device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an annular vessel for holding radioactive soions which contain solids. The vessel has an inclined bottom and a discharge at the lowest point of the vessel. A plurality of pulsators charged with air are mounted in the ring-shaped interior of the vessel so as to extend into the solution. The pulsators operate to completely and evenly discharge the undissolved solids out of the vessel with the flow of solution and to prevent sedimentation. At their bottom ends, the pulsators have respective outlet nozzles which are arranged parallelly to the vessel bottom and are directed toward the lowest point thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding gas into a heated saline solution for pressure measurement or to pump this solution. The gas is introduced into the solution through a gas bubbling-in pipe having a gas outlet opening. The gas is heated prior to being introduced into the solution and is charged with moisture until the saturation of the gas comes close to or corresponds to the saturation conditions in the solution at the gas outlet opening. This minimizes clogging by crystallization at the feeder pipes carrying the measuring or purge gas.

Abstract: A device for taking samples of radioactive and/or toxic suspensions containing solids includes a single needle head for taking samples from a liquid circulating in a pipe loop. The liquid is drawn off into a sample vessel with the liquid being pumped by a vacuum-assisted air lift. In order to minimize the risk of clogging in such a sampling device and to be able to obtain reliably representative samples, the one-needle head has a mixing chamber which widens conically toward the interior of the housing of the sampling device. The feed line extends into this conical mixing chamber to a location just ahead of the needle opening in the base. The opening at the end of the feed line has a larger diameter than the inside diameter of the sampling needle disposed in the needle head. With this configuration, a higher flow velocity is achieved together with a high degree of turbulence of the liquid in the sampling device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a centering arrangement for aligning two mutly adjacent openings of a lock and a container for receiving radioactive waste which is passed into the container through the lock. The container is provided with additional openings having a cross-sectional center point which is displaced from the cross-sectional point of the container per se. The centering arrangement includes a carrier which is pivotally journalled on a vehicle so as to be movable from a vertical plane into a horizontal plane and the vehicle is movable along rails in a horizontal direction. The longitudinal axis of the container is in a position aligned to a fixed point of the lock. The carrier includes a first container guide including an annular member having an inner conical surface and a second conical guide for positioning the container openings with respect to the rotational position of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus to screw heavy lids very sensitively on thick-walled receptacles n order to avoid damaging the threads includes a stationary member centered on the receptacle and of an axially movable platform which is guided such that torques can be transmitted and the common axis always remains the same. Resilient members of adjustable length transmit mass forces in vertical direction exactly on the stationary member and prevent additional forces from acting on the flanks of the threads.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for monitoring liquids ischarged intermittently from a discharge receptacle having a siphon. The liquids originate in a facility in which personnel work with open radioactive substances. Measurements are made of the radioactive charge of discharged liquids in the region of the siphon of each discharge receptacle to prevent contamination of the discharge path into the drainage system. If a radioactive limit value of radiation is detected which is above a specific threshold, discharge of the liquid into the drainage network is prevented. The discharge receptacles are then emptied individually and upwardly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for transferring irradiated f rods from a trough-shaped receptacle into a canister intended for terminal storage. The canister is docked at a pass-through opening formed in a partition wall of a nuclear facility. The arrangement includes a trough-shaped insert which is movable out of the terminal storage canister while empty and through the pass-through opening into the trough-shaped receptacle whereat it is filled with the irradiated fuel rods and then returned back through the opening and into the terminal storage canister. In this way, and with little effort, a transfer of fuel rods is achieved without components disposed between the receptacle and canister becoming contaminated by radioactive particles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lock system for permitting objects to be ped from a contaminated chamber into a container which is disposed in a contamination-free chamber and docked to the lock system. The lock system of the invention includes a displaceable insert mounted on a partition wall separating the chambers. The insert is in the form of a round disc rotatable about its center point. The disc includes lock openings having different cross sections which are arranged on a circle concentric to the center of the disc. The lock system of the invention permits objects of different shape and size to be passed through the lock along only one removal path.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filling arrangement for taking samples of radioactive process solutions from a liquid flow. The filling arrangement includes a filling head having a through-flow bore. The bore has a constriction in its cross section with first and second passages branching off from the through-flow bore forward of and rearward of the constriction, respectively. To reduce the risk of obstruction when samples of radioactive liquids containing solids are taken, the filling passages are formed so as to be mutually adjacent. The passages are open at the end remote from the through-flow bore and terminate in a conically tapered extension formed on the filling head. The open sample vessel is pushed over the conically tapered extension when taking a sample.

Abstract: A remote-handled pipe support including a bracket bolted to a fixed flat , the bracket clamping a pipe by means of a stationary jaw and a pivoted jaw fixed with the aid of a remote-handled screw.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a docking arrangement for docking a container o a lock having a first side facing into a first chamber wherein contamination is present and a second side facing into a second chamber free of contamination. A lock wall defines the lock opening and a lock cover is adapted to close the lock opening. The container is provided for receiving radioactive materials and has a container vessel which is closed by a container cover. The docking arrangement includes an intermediate cover releasably connectable to the container cover. A holder is provided for engaging the intermediate cover to move the intermediate cover together with the container cover for opening and closing the lock opening. The intermediate cover is disposed between the lock cover and the container cover. An annular member is located on the second side and form-fittingly engages the lock wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for handling a fuel element skeleton f an irradiated nuclear reactor fuel element from which the fuel rods have been removed. The fuel element skeleton is placed horizontally in a compacting shaft of a ram-type press in order to obtain a simple and reliable compaction of the skeleton. After the compacting shaft is closed, the fuel element skeleton is compacted against a press base. The compacted fuel element skeleton is pushed out of the compacting shaft and into a transportable transfer shaft. The loaded transfer shaft is removed from the ram-type press and transported away to a transfer loading location.

Abstract: A bolted pipe joint releasable by remote control includes two flanges each eing disposed at a respective one of two pipe ends. A centering aid cooperates with both of the flanges. A seal is provided for the pipe ends. A fastening screw presses the two flanges together. The fastening screw has first and second threaded regions being successively engaged upon pressing the flanges together. The first threaded region has a substantially greater pitch than the second threaded region.

Abstract: A remote-controllable screw connection includes a nut, a first flange relvely closer to and a second flange relatively further away from the nut. At least one screw bolt connects the flanges to the nut. A sheath surrounds the screw bolt between the nut and the first flange. The sheath is non-rotatably but axially displaceably connected to the screw bolt.

Abstract: An assembly for remotely handling an electrical plug connector, including a ottom block, including a crane hook attachable to a crane, a first plug member fixed to the bottom block and electrically connectable to a power supply, a second plug member electrically connected to a load, a retaining device retaining the second plug member such that electrical coupling and decoupling between the first and the second plug member can be effected by mere movement of the bottom block in the horizontal and the vertical plane. When the first and second plug members are vertically aligned, coupling and decoupling can be effected by mere lowering and raising of the bottom block. The retaining device has parallel prongs with recessed surface areas to hold the second plug member, alternatively, in a locking position and a withdrawing position. The second plug member has a spherical thickened contour portion acting as a pivot enabling it to swing into alignment with the first plug member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of removing solids from a container. he method is for discharging sedimentated solids from a container which is inclined in the direction toward its outlet. The method is technically simple and prevents or minimizes the amount of secondary waste or the use of flushing liquid. This result is achieved by subjecting the residual liquid in the container to the action of pulsed compressed air which passes through a perforated pipe extending parallelly to the bottom of the container. A container apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.