Patent ID: 6683931
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: G21F

Abstract:
A shipping container for a first nuclear fuel assembly comprising:an elongated, tubular container having an inner and an outer coaxial, tubular shell with a close cell polyurethane core sandwiched between the inner and shells and an axial dimension at least as long as the fuel assembly and an internal cross-section larger than the first nuclear fuel assembly; an elongated, inner, tubular liner having an axial dimension at least as long as the fuel assembly and an external circumference that is designed to be received and slidably positioned within the interior of the tubular container, the liner having an internal cross-section that substantially matches an external cross-section of the first nuclear fuel assembly; an elongated, external frame having an axial dimension at least as long as the tubular container, sized to receive the tubular container within the external frame in spaced relationship from the frame; and shock absorbing means for attaching the tubular container to the frame so the tubular container is suspended substantially within the frame in a manner so shock absorbing means isolates the tubular container from a substantial amount of any impact energy experienced by the frame should the external frame be impacted.