Patent Number: 060581549
Section: claims

1. A canister unit including a sealable metal canister for confining irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, and a reversible leaktight closure means therefor, the sealable metal canister comprising a tubular body having a cylindrical wall, a base closing a first end of said cylindrical wall, an open end adapted to be closed by said reversible leaktight closure means, and a transverse shoulder formed peripherally around an inner surface of the tubular body in its entirety at said open end;  said reversible leaktight closure means comprising:  the sealable metal canister comprising a tubular body having a cylindrical wall, a base closing a first end of said cylindrical wall, an open end adapted to be closed by said reversible leaktight closure means, and a transverse shoulder formed peripherally around at least a portion of an inner surface of the tubular body at said open end,  said reversible leaktight closure means comprising: 2. A canister unit including a sealable metal canister for confining irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, and reversible leaktight closure means therefor, 3. The canister unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second O-ring seals are metal seals. 4. The canister unit of claim 1, wherein said tubular body is between 1 and 10 mm thick and has a diameter between 0.5 and 2.5 m, each of the first and second disks having a thickness of at least 15 mm. 5. The canister unit of claim 2, wherein the first and second O-ring seals are metal seals. 6. The canister unit of claim 2, wherein said tubular body is between 1 and 10 mm thick and has a diameter between 0.5 and 2.5 m, each of the first and second disks having a thickness of at least 15 mm. 7. The canister unit of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical wall comprises a smooth outer surface. 8. The canister unit of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical wall comprises a smooth outer surface.