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: 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 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.