Rail assembly for use in a radioactive environment

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866935

Watts, Ralph E ^[1]

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1. Harrison, OH

An improved rail assembly and method of construction thereof is disclosed herein that is particularly adapted for use with a crane trolley in a hot cell environment which is exposed to airborne and liquidborne radioactive contaminants. The rail assembly is generally comprised of a support wall having an elongated, rail-housing recess having a floor, side wall and ceiling. The floor of the recess is defined at least in part by the load-bearing surface of a rail, and is substantially flat, level and crevice-free to facilitate the drainage of liquids out of the recess. The ceiling of the recess overhangs and thereby captures trolley wheels within the recess to prevent them from becoming dislodged from the recess during a seismic disturbance. Finally, the interior of the recess includes a power track having a slot for receiving a sliding electrical connector from the crane trolley. The power track is mounted in an upper corner of the recess with its connector-receiving groove oriented downwardly to facilitate the drainage of liquidborne contaminants and to discourage the collection of airborne contaminants within the track.

• Research Organization: RALPH M PARSONS CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-84RL10436
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4825769
• OSTI ID: 866935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

rail
assembly
radioactive
environment
improved
method
construction
disclosed
particularly
adapted
crane
trolley
hot
cell
exposed
airborne
liquidborne
contaminants
comprised
support
wall
elongated
rail-housing
recess
floor
ceiling
defined
load-bearing
surface
substantially
flat
level
crevice-free
facilitate
drainage
liquids
overhangs
captures
wheels
prevent
becoming
dislodged
seismic
disturbance
finally
interior
power
track
slot
receiving
sliding
electrical
connector
mounted
upper
corner
connector-receiving
groove
oriented
downwardly
discourage
collection
radioactive contaminants
substantially flat
electrical connector
particularly adapted
hot cell
bearing surface
airborne contaminants
rail assembly
radioactive environment
cell environment
radioactive contaminant
/104/212/238/376/976/