Patent ID: 7474726
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: G21F

Abstract:
1. A shipping container system for a first nuclear fuel product comprising: an elongated tubular container having an axis extending along the container's elongated dimension, the container being designed to receive and support the first nuclear fuel product therein, an exterior of the tubular container having at least two substantially flat walls, with at least one circumferential end of at least one of the walls having a hinged interface with a stationary wall of the container to provide access to the interior thereof, the hinged wall extending axially in the direction of one end of the container and terminating a pre-selected distance short of the corresponding end of the stationary wall, the stationary wall having a lateral groove on an interior surface thereof extending in an orthogonal direction to the axis of the container at an elevation starting substantially at an elevation of the one end of the hinged wall, an access cover slidable in the groove in the stationary wall to close off the one end of the container so that the interior of the container may be accessed either through the one end by sliding out the access cover or from the side by rotating the hinged wall, the access cover having a means for locking the hinged wall in a closed position when the access cover is fully inserted in the groove and means for locking the access cover in a closed position to the stationary wall; an elongated, tubular overpack having an axial dimension at least as long as the tubular container, an internal cross-section larger than the tubular container and an interior tubular channel having an axially extending lower support section supporting a plurality of shock mounts, with at least one of said plurality of shock mounts positioned on either radial side of the lower support section, the shock mounts support at least one of the flat walls of the tubular container in spaced relationship with the lower support section when the overpack is supported in a horizontal position, with at least one circumferential end of the lower support section having a clamped interface substantially along the axial dimension thereof to provide access to the interior of the overpack; and means for supporting the overpack in the horizontal position.