AMPOULE FOR SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC G21F5/08 

FIELD: physics, atomic power.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to atomic power engineering, particularly to handling spent nuclear fuel and more specifically to an ampoule holding bundles of fuel elements of a spent fuel assembly of a RBMK-1000 reactor, for subsequent placement and transportation in a shipping packaging set to a dry storage facility. The ampoule comprises a cylindrical housing holding a bundle of spent fuel elements and a cover fixed on the mouth of the housing by a locking device. The locking device comprises a spring ring placed in the inner bore of the cover and attached thereto at several points, in the intervals between which supports are attached to the spring ring. The supports pass through openings in the cover and enter an annular cavity in the housing. The ends of the support are tapered, which enables them to enter the mouth of the housing when interacting with the edge of the mouth. The spring ring is in the form of a plate.

EFFECT: eliminating possible deformation of the spring ring when the cover engages and disengages with the housing.

4 cl, 4 dwg