Abstract: The basket comprises a bundle of tubes (10) connected to each other by an assembly structure (14) so as to form a regular network of compartments (16). Cross pieces (12) are placed between the tubes (10) so as to define a second wall approximately continuous around each compartment (16) surrounding the first wall materialized by tubes (10) and at least partially in contact with this wall. Thus, baskets with compartments with arbitrarily shaped cross sections, and particularly square, rectangular, hexagonal or circular cross sections, can be made for a limited cost.

Abstract: Shock-absorbing system integral with a transport or storage container for radioactive material, characterised in that it comprises at least one casing (4,7) covering at least part of said container (1,2) and forming an enclosed space filled with a stack of elementary pieces (6) having at least three converging axes of symmetry whose symmetry in rotation is at least 3-fold, for example small, solid or hollow spheres.

Abstract: Device for checking the tightness of covers on a heavy metal container for transport and/or storage of radioactive materials, the said container comprising a cavity for nuclear materials delimited by a thick cylindrical shell closed at one end by means of a bottom fixed so that it is leaktight, and at the other end by at least two thick removable superposed covers, characterized in that the said covers are in contact with a shoulder formed in the shell, through flanges fitted with at least two concentric seals, that at least two ducts pass through the shell at each cover, leading through a first inspection orifice to the outside surface of the shell close to the cover in an accessible location, and through a second orifice, one into the space between the cover concentric seals, and the other into the space between the said cover, the shell and the immediately superposed cover, each inspection orifice optionally being connected to a tightness measurement and inspection circuit.

Abstract: An anti-radiation device for a container adapted to receive radioactive materials, the device including a plurality of individual and adjacent tubular metal housings, each of the housings having an internal wall shaped to enable flush contact with an outer wall of the container, side walls shaped to enable flush contact with an adjacent tubular housing and an external wall. Each metal housing of the device is fastened to the outer wall of the container.

Abstract: A container for nuclear fuel assemblies comprises a thick cylindrical body of forged steel which delimits an inner cavity for housing said assemblies, said cavity being able to be hermetically sealed at its two ends by plugs which are also formed of metal, characterized in that the cross section of the cylindrical body is non-circular. The outer wall usually comprising flat surfaces which are parallel to the flat face of crescent-shaped sections fixed to its inner wall, providing the cross section with the shape of a square or rectangle with rounded corners.

Abstract: A rack for storing or transporting nuclear fuel assemblies includes a plurality of adjacent prismatic cells having cell walls defining interior fuel assembly storage spaces. The cell walls are formed from a criss-crossed, ordered stack of elongated structural elements of constant cross section, disposed in successive layers and having a long dimension perpendicular to the axis of the cells. Neutrophage sections in tubular form and having a cross section corresponding to that of the cells are disposed against the cell walls within the nuclear fuel assembly storage spaces.

Abstract: A container for nuclear fuel assemblies comprises a thick cylindrical body of forged steel which delimits an inner cavity for housing said assemblies, said cavity being able to be hermetically sealed at its two ends by plugs which are also formed of metal, characterized in that the cross section of the cylindrical body is non-circular. The outer wall usually comprising flat surfaces which are parallel to the flat face of crescent-shaped sections fixed to its inner wall, providing the cross section with the shape of a square or rectangle with rounded corners, for example.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly storage rack comprising a plurality of identical juxtaposed elongated mutually parallel tubes forming cells for receiving the assemblies. The cells having walls made of a material containing a neutron absorbing element. The tubes being straight and in mutual contact in the lengthwise direction to form a compact bundle which is held together by one or more straps distributed along the length of said bundle.

Abstract: A container for transport and storage of highly radioactive material, the container being made of thick metal and comprising a tube having an internal wall and a base having a lateral wall, the base being non-removably sealed to one end of the tube, and the internal wall and lateral wall forming a right cylinder with circular cross-section in contact with each other. The base is fixed to the container by shrink fitting the lateral wall with a portion of the internal wall in contact with the lateral wall, the base being disposed such that the lateral wall is entirely inside the tube with a portion of the internal wall comprising an opposed shoulder which cooperates with the corresponding shoulder in the lateral wall. A first continuous seam weld is provided on an external surface of the base in contact with the tube and a second continuous weld seem is provided on an internal surface of the base in contact with the tube.

Abstract: A stowage rack is disclosed for dry transport of nuclear fuel elements in a plurality of elongated, parallel, adjacent prismatic cells. The rack is formed from first and second sets of materials, the first set of materials fulfilling the function of mechanical strength and thermal conductivity, and the second set of materials fulfilling the function of neutron absorption. The stack may be formed entirely of materials fulfilling the function of mechanical strength and thermal conductivity, with the neutron absorption materials being provided within the walls of the cells. Alternatively, materials providing mechanical strength and thermal conductivity may be stacked alternately with materials providing neutron absorption.

Abstract: Package for shipping dangerous materials to ensure the containment of these materials under conditions of severe accident. A containment enclosure of austenitic stainless steel, constituted by a single part devoid of orifices and of joints other than welds, has the shape of a cylinder of revolution closed at its two ends which are of convex shape. The wall of this enclosure is of a substantially uniform thickness without sudden variations including the area of the welds. Two axial shock absorbers, each formed by a section of metal tube preferably of the same cross-section as the above enclosure, are positioned on the end of the latter so that they are coaxial therewith. A support ensures the storage and the handling of the assembly are provided, as well as if necessary, removable means adapted to ensure the wedging of the dangerous materials inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A handling apparatus which is intended primarily for operations involving pulling and pushing nuclear fuel rods which are carried out when dismantling assemblies, comprising a handling head in which there are provided a plurality of cylinders (6) in which grippers are slidable, formed by two coaxial parts (4, 10) by means of pistons (4a, 4b) which are fixed with respect thereto. Said pistons define three annular spaces (A, B, C) which are supplied by three individually controllable hydraulic fluid circutis (La, Lb, Lc). Such fluids provide for opening and sliding movement of the grippers with respect to the head as well as control of the maximum admissible force in respect of traction or compression on the grippers.At the upper end of each gripper two travel limit switches give the individual situation of each thereof.

Abstract: Method intended to form a more or less compact bundle of flexible and oblong objects of reduced cross-section dimensions, such as fuel rods of a nuclear reactor, said objects forming, prior to compacting, an assembly wherein they occupy transversally spaced, parallel positions. According to the invention, this method is characterized in that there is arranged, in a generally vertical direction, a plurality of guiding tubes (2) of which the upper ends (2a) are arranged according to the initial disposition of said object assembly, and of which the lower ends (2b) are arranged according to the desired disposition, the dimension of said guiding tubes (2) being such that in each of them one of said objects may slide by means of gravity, and in that said assembly of objects is brought vertically on top of the plurality of guiding tubes, whereafter each object is introduced by its lower end in the upper end of one of said guiding tubes (2), allowing the assembly of said objects to slide downwardly.

Abstract: A container is described for the transportation of irradiated fuel elements hose criticality can be controlled by means of internally disposed neutron poison needles, wherein said container comprises, parallel to the compartments intended for the fuel elements, at least as many compartments as needles necessary for the fuel elements to be transported, these compartments being constructed such that not only can neutron poison needles be housed therein, but can also be easily introduced and extracted after removal of the lid of the container, these compartments being arranged in the body of the container or in its internal basket with dispositions such that the shielding characteristics are not affected.