Patent Number: 059490845
Section: claims

1. An apparatus for storing or transporting radioactive materials, comprising: (a) an inner vessel structured and configured to receive radioactive material therein;  (b) an outer casing enclosing said inner vessel, wherein a space is defined between said inner vessel and said outer casing;  (c) a matrix comprising a plurality of high-density metal particles interspersed within said space, said metal particles closely packed together such that interstices are formed therebetween;  (d) a mixture of calcium sulfate, boric acid and water disposed throughout said interstices; and  (e) means for sealing and opening said inner vessel.  (a) a cover, said cover including an outer wall and an inner wall;  (b) a cavity defined between said outer wall and said inner wall;  (c) a matrix comprising a plurality of high-density metal particles disposed within said cavity, said metal particles forming interstices therebetween; and  (c) neutron absorbing material, said material disposed throughout said interstices.  (a) an inner vessel structured and configured to receive radioactive material therein;  (b) an outer casing enclosing said inner vessel, wherein a generally annular space is defined between said inner vessel and said outer casing;  (c) a matrix comprising a plurality of high-density metal particles interspersed within said space, said metal particles closely packed such that interstices are formed therebetween;  (d) a mixture of calcium sulfate, boric acid and water disposed throughout said interstices; and  (e) means for sealing and opening said inner vessel.  (a) a cover, said cover including an outer wall and an inner wall wherein a cavity is defined between said outer wall and said inner wall;  (b) a matrix comprising a plurality of high-density metal particles interspersed within said cavity, said metal particles forming interstices therebetween; and  (c) neutron absorbing material, said material disposed throughout said interstices.  (a) an inner vessel structured and configured to receive radioactive material therein;  (b) an outer casing enclosing said inner vessel, wherein an annular space is formed between said inner vessel and said outer casing;  (c) a cover, said cover including an outer wall and an inner wall wherein a cavity is defined between said outer wall and said inner wall;  (d) a matrix comprising a plurality of high-density metal particles interspersed within said annular space and said cavity, said metal particles closely packed such that interstices are formed therebetween; and  (e) a mixture of calcium sulfate, boric acid and water disposed throughout said interstices. 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal particles are composed of depleted uranium. 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal particles are composed of lead. 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal particles are spherical. 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said space defined between said inner vessel and said outer casing is generally annular. 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sealing and opening means comprises: 7. An apparatus for storing or transporting radioactive materials, comprising: 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said metal particles are composed of depleted uranium. 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said metal particles are composed of depleted uranium. 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said metal particles are spherical. 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said sealing and opening means comprises: 12. An apparatus for storing or transporting radioactive materials, comprising: 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said metal particles are composed of depleted uranium. 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said metal particles are composed of lead. 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said metal particles are spherical.